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A study done by scientist for the USDA to determine foods that contained the highest level of antioxidants found that the acai berry, artichokes, and beans had the highest levels recorded.

The study also confirmed that widely known highly rich antioxidant foods like cranberries and blueberries were good sources–but surprisingly, research also determined that cinnamon, pecans, and even Russet potatoes contained high sources of antioxidants. Antioxidants are important because they are thought to fight cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and heart disease.

“The bottom line is the same–eat more fruits and veggies,” says Ronald L. Prior, Ph.D., a chemist and nutritionist with the USDA’s Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center in Little Rock, Ark., and lead author of the study. “This study confirms that those foods are full of benefits, particularly those with higher levels of antioxidants. Nuts and spices are also good sources.”

The new study is more complete more accurate than previous USDA antioxidant data and includes more foods than the previous study as high tech equipment was used by the researchers. They analyzed antioxidant levels in over 100 different foods, including fruits and vegetables–the new study also includes data on spices and nuts for the first time.

Among the fruits, vegetables and nuts analyzed, each food was measured for antioxidant concentration as well as antioxidant capacity per serving size. Cranberries, blueberries, and blackberries ranked highest among the fruits studied. Beans, artichokes and Russet potatoes were tops among the vegetables–pecans, walnuts and hazelnuts ranked highest in the nut category.

ground cloves, ground cinnamon, and oregano were found to have high amounts of antioxidants. Spices are usually consumed in small amounts, even though many are high in antioxidants.

The data should prove useful for those seeking to add more antioxidants in their diet. You must still use caution as the total antioxidant capacity of the foods does not necessarily reflect their potential health benefit, which depends on how they are absorbed and utilized in the body.

The government currently has no guidelines for how people should consume antioxidants as part of their daily diet–this is the same dilemma with vitamins and minerals. One big problem is the lack of continuity amongst researchers.

For the time being it is recommended that you eat a variety of fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants like cranberries and acai berries.

For the past 30 years, Dr. Mistranski has studied the benefits that antioxidants have on the body. She currently has an free diet plans web site that is full of with an abundance of information on the high concentration of antioxidants found in acai fruit. He also has a free diet plans review site of thew best acai fruit products to buy.