During the last 2 months, I’ve made several posts that highlight the brain enhancing power of antioxidants. Basically, as we age, all parts of our body degenerate and rot. This sort of cumulative damage is called ‘oxidative damage’, and is inescapable because it derives from our body’s use of oxygen. If you’re consuming and using oxygen, you’re rotting- whether you’re 2, 15, 30, or 60 years of age.

Since the brain uses about 25% of the body’s oxygen, the brain is highly susceptible to oxidative damage.

The good news, however, is that the rate at which this occurs can be slowed down by eating foods that are high in antioxidants.Here’s the list that ranks the antioxidant power of fruits. It based on a USDA study from 2004, and is thought to be the largest, most comprehensive analysis to date.

• wild blueberries
• blueberries
• cranberries
• blackberries
• raspberries
• strawberries
• red delicious apples
• granny smith apples
• sweet cherries
• black plums
• gala apples

Unfortunately, fruits like watermelon, mangos, papayas, kiwis, and oranges were not included. This study, however, highlights what other studies also seem to show: that berries contain the highest concentration of antioxidants.
You may also want to read this related post on how new studies seem to indicate that oxidative damage plays a large role in Alzheimer’s disease.

Posted: Saturday, July 15th, 2006 at 11:43 am
Categories: Alzheimers, Brain, Brain Food, Brain Power, Dementia, Memory Loss, Smartkit All Posts.