New Study Provides Antioxidant Concentration for More Than 1,000 Foods and Beverages

New Study Provides Antioxidant Concentration for More Than 1,000 Foods and Beverages

August 07, 2006

-- Blackberries, grape juice from American Concord grapes, walnuts, strawberries and artichoke hearts top the list of antioxidant powerhouses.

    CONCORD, Mass., Aug. 7 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- A newly
published study provides a listing of the total
concentration of antioxidants for more than 1,000 commonly
consumed U.S. foods and beverages.   

    Ranking the items by antioxidant concentration per
serving size, the five foods and beverages with highest
antioxidant levels were blackberries (144g), Welch's
(purple) 100% Grape Juice made from American Concord grapes
(240 ml), walnuts (28g), strawberries (166g) and artichoke
hearts (84g). These items ranked higher than blueberries,
red wine, chocolate, coffee and tea -- often touted for
their high antioxidant capacity.

    The study, which appears in the July issue of the
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, was conducted
independently of any industry sponsors. Researchers from
the University of Oslo, Norway, Virginia Polytechnic
Institute and State University, and the University of
Minnesota used the FRAP (ferric reducing ability of plasma)
assay method to measure and compile this expanded listing of
total concentration of antioxidants for 1,113 U.S. foods and
beverages. Food samples were obtained from the U.S.
Department of Agriculture National Food and Nutrient
Analysis Program.  

    "Antioxidants are bioactive compounds in foods
that play an active role in the human body.  By quenching
free radicals they help maintain oxidative balance and
contribute to good health," explained Carla McGill,
PhD, RD, a nutrition consultant. "Many
high-antioxidant fruits and vegetables can be identified by
their deep, dark coloring. In fact, in this study,
researchers found that blackberries and Welch's (purple)
100% Grape Juice made from American Concord grapes had the
highest antioxidant contents per serving of all foods
measured."

    The researchers quantified the antioxidant
concentration of the foods by measuring the antioxidant
concentration per typical serving size. For juices this was
a 240 ml serving. Welch's (purple) 100% Grape Juice made
from American Concord grapes had the highest antioxidant
concentration of all juices with 4,089 mmol/serving, and
ranked #2 over all samples tested, whereas the average
antioxidant content for all grape juices tested was much
lower at 2,557 mmol/serving. 

    Recently, consumers have begun incorporating
antioxidant rich foods into their diets to decrease risk
for disease and to delay the onset of many age-related
conditions. In fact, according to the U.S. Institute of
Food Technologists, sales of products carrying an
antioxidant claim jumped nearly 20 percent last year. One
of every four consumers says they eat fruits or vegetables
to prevent disease, one in three eats them to feel healthy,
and nearly nine of ten eat them to stay healthy.  This
present study provides consumers with a guide to help
decide what foods and beverages to include in the diet to
maximize antioxidant consumption. 

    Source: Halvorsen, B.L., Carlsen, M.H., Phillips, K.M.,
et al., "Content of redox-active compounds (ie,
antioxidants) in foods consumed in the United States,"
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2006; 84:95-135. 

    For more information, please contact:

     Welch Foods Darlene Hollywood, Inc.
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail] 

SOURCE  Welch Foods, Inc.