Blueberries to beat the blues

A new report suggests that eating wild blueberries – and other foods awash with antioxidants – at every meal can help prevent oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress is a result of the formation of free radicals, which can cause damage to other working cells, and has been linked to diseases such as Alzheimer’s and cancer. Scientists believe that antioxidants may play a role in fighting free radicals.

Scientists leading a USDA-backed clinical trial fed participants wild blueberries, dried plums, cherries, grapes, kiwifruit, or strawberries and evaluated levels of stress after meals.

The lead scientist on the study, Dr Ronald L. Prior of USDA Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center, explained the preliminary results: “It takes about 2.5 servings of antioxidant containing fruits and/or vegetables in a meal and a little less if you choose high antioxidant foods like wild blueberries to prevent oxidative stress following the meal.”

Dr Prior made another interesting point, saying “The more calories you take in the more dietary antioxidants you need.”