A 2001 University of Scranton study looked at antioxidant phenol content in 20 different fruits commonly consumed in America: apple, avocado, banana, blueberry, cantaloupe, cherry, cranberry, grape (both red and white), grapefruit, lemon, honeydew, nectarine, orange, peach, pear, pineapple, plum, strawberry and watermelon. Only a few fruits–avocado, cranberry, honeydew melon, and orange–were found to have a large portion of their phenols in a free form (versus conjugated, as in the other fruits). Cranberries, by far, had the largest amount of both free and total phenols among the 20 fruits tested, with red grapes a distant second.

In another study, Tufts scientists measured the natural antioxidant levels of 50 fresh fruits and vegetables, and found berries occupied the top slots. This has largely been attributed to their high anthocyanin content. Anthocyanins give berries their blue and red colors as well as being powerful natural antioxidants three to four times more potent then traditional antioxidants such as vitamins C and E.

Cranberries are most well known for their role in combating urinary tract infections. This health benefit comes from the tart tasting group of phenols called condensed tannins found in cranberries, which prevent bacteria from adhering to the walls of the urinary tract.

At the meeting of the American Chemical Society in April 2002 several studies were presented that demonstrated that the antioxidant benefits of cranberries does not end with UTIs (urinary tract infections). Emerging as one of the most powerful among common fruits studied, cranberries appear to possess anti-cancer properties, inhibit the growth of common food-borne pathogens and contain antibacterial properties.

Cranberries may also act as natural “probiotics” by enabling the good bacteria in the GI tract to thrive, while killing off the bad bacteria that promote infections and food-borne illnesses.

Research has also been done that implies that cranberry phenols may have heart-protective benefits by reducing both total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol.

ALL ONE offers a convenient and economical way to get the benefits of cranberries every day. The ALL ONE Fruit Antioxidant Formula is a natural antioxidant supplement that provides 2 grams of free radical fighting fruit in each serving, including tart cherries, wild blueberries and cranberries. As a nutritional supplement these are combined with the same high potency vitamins, minerals and amino acids that ALL ONE is known and loved for.

Bioflavanoids

Bioflavanoids are a group of about 5,000 compounds that act as antioxidants. They occur in fruits, vegetables, green tea, soy products, herbs and spices. They have been shown to be beneficial in treating a variety of conditions, including allergies, arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, and viral infections. They also increase effectiveness of C and E by helping them regenerate after neutralizing free radicals in the blood and tissues.

Bioflavanoids are plant compounds found in citrus fruits, dark green leafy vegetables and other typically vitamin C rich foods. Bioflavanoids play an important role in healing capillaries and helping the body form collagen, which holds body tissues together. The bioflavanoids are also known collectively as vitamin P. Some of the most common ones include hesperidin, quercitin, rutin and anthocyadins. Bioflavanoids exhibit a broad range of antioxidant activity and are taken to treat nosebleeds, bleeding gums, and a tendancy to bruise. Studies have shown that flavanoids play a key role in protecting people against the effects of environmental toxins, especially air pollutants (ozone, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, pesticides and heavy metals).

CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant that protects the body from free radicals and helps preserve vitamin E, the major antioxidant of cell membranes and blood cholesterol.

Virtually every cell of the human body contains CoQ10. It is concentrated in the mitochondria, the area of cells where energy is produced. It plays an integral role in supplying energy to chemical reactions in the body. The heart and liver contain the greatest amount of CoQ10.

CoQ10 is found primarily in fish and meat, but the amounts in food are far less than what can be obtained from antioxidant supplements. There is reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing substantial health benefits when CoQ10 has been used in connection with angina, heart attack and high blood pressure. CoQ10′s ability as an antioxidant scavenger may account for the cardiovascular benefits. Coenzyme Q10 prevents free radical oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL). It has also been suggested that CoQ10 can offer protection from the side effects associated with taking blood pressure medications.

Selenium fed to cells increases their levels of antioxidant enzymes and prevents damage caused by radiation and chemical carcinogens. Deficiency in humans correlates with higher rates of colon, breast, ovary, prostate, lung, bladder and skin cancer. Studies show it can prevent cancer in both animals and humans.

A study by the university of Arizona found that vitamin A has a protective affect against many types of cancer, according to M. Colgan in his book, The New Nutrition. It is found in animal products, but can be manufactured by the body from its precursor beta carotene (found in vegetables). As an antioxidant vitamin A protects cell membranes and fatty tissue, helps repair damage caused by air pollutants and boosts the immune system.

How much for antioxidant activity: Free radical pathology may occur when the body’s antioxidant mechanisms cannot keep pace with the rate at which free radicals and other oxidants are being formed. To supply the body with enough antioxidant power, R.F. Cathcart, a clinical practitioner who has treated patients with vitamin C, believes each person should take the vitamin up to his or her “bowel tolerance” level. Simply put, this is the level just below the daily dosage that would cause you to have diarrhea. The more severe the toxicity from oxygen radicals, the more vitamin C one can tolerate.

Free radicals are believed to play a role in more than sixty different health conditions, including the aging process, cancer and atherosclerosis. Reducing exposure to free radicals and increasing intake of antioxidant nutrients has the potential to reduce the risk of free radical-related health problems.

Many vitamins and minerals act as antioxidants in their own right, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, zinc, selenium and coenzyme Q10. There are also powerful plant antioxidants including the carotenoids and the bioflavanoids. All which provide powerful antioxidant protection for the body and may be beneficial when taken as a supplement.

The body relies on food to replenish the antioxidant pool of the body. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, lutein is found in green leafy vegetables and we all know vitamin C is in oranges. Unfortunately, in today’s busy and polluted world staying ahead of the free radicals is more likely to depend on much more then what our diets can supply us. If we are not eating a fresh, whole food, organic diet then it is quite possible that the same food we are supposed to be getting our antioxidants from is causing oxidative stress of its own, it is almost impossible to depend on food alone. The good news is that many of these potent antioxidants are now available as nutritional supplements. The key to supplementing your antioxidants is to make sure they are part of a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement as they have been found to work synergistically.
As a result of current research we are also lucky enough to have access to concentrated amounts of plant antioxidants. ALL ONE’s Fruit Antioxidant Formula offers 2 full grams of fruit antioxidants from the fabulous, yet seasonal blueberries, cranberries and tart cherries, that are proving to be up to 10-times the potency of the traditional antioxidants A, C and E. As well as having the ability to “re-charge” these nutrients once exposed to free radicals. ALL ONE combines these with their high potency multi-vitamin and mineral base for a highly effective free radical fighter. In the ALL ONE formula for Active Seniors Nutritech has also combined the key antioxidants lutein and coenzyme Q10.

As the research continues to roll in it is clear that antioxidants are a natural and effective way to combat degeneration and disease caused by the stresses of today. So, know your antioxidants and be sure they are included as part of your daily multivitamin and mineral supplement.

“The secret is in the pigments that give cherries their rich red hue. They belong to a class of natural dyes called anthocyanins??¦. According to Dr. Muraleedharan Nair at Michigan State University, lab tests show that the anthocyanins in red tart cherries give 10 times the anti-inflammatory relief of aspirin, without irritating the stomach.”
Newsweek December 6, 1999

“If these findings (Tufts University) are borne out in further research, young and middle-aged people may be able to reduce risk of diseases of aging- including senility- simply by adding high -ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity measures various foods’ total antioxidant power) foods to their diets,”
- F.P.Horn, administrator of the Agricultural Research Services Human Nutrition Research Center at Tufts University.

” It’s the combined effects of the compounds in a berry that do the work. They act through different mechanisms simultaneously, and that’s what makes them so powerful.”
Mary Ann Lila, a professor of plant sciences at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.

These are just a few of the current statements regarding the impact berries can have on health.

Are you getting your daily dose of fruit antioxidants?
Maybe during the summer months you can work berries in as part of your regular fruit intake. Unfortunately the berries that have shown to have the most power to their punch are tart cherries, wild blueberries and cranberries. These close cousins to the sweeter varieties we buy while on summer holidays are very bitter and tart. So how does one add these amazing fruits into ones diet all year round while including the most potent varieties?

It is important to first say that having a daily dose of berries of all shapes and colors is a sure step towards better health. It seems that scientists continue to be amazed by the benefits theses tasty little gems can offer. So when possible opt for the berries, whether fresh or frozen, try to make the berry a staple in your regular diet.

Now with that said and all the research to support it we still may find ourselves berry-less. That’s where supplements come in. We already take supplements daily to ensure that the compound effects of stress and poor diet don’t lead us down the road of ill health, using our multivitamin and minerals as an insurance policy- we know the nutrition is there if we need it. Now it is possible to get your berries in supplement form as well, or to be more precise the berry pigment and associated compounds. No sugar or fiber is left but the potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents are still present. These supplements are best taken in powder form as the amount of capsules you would have to take to equal a handful of berries would be at least one for one, you might as well eat the berries.

This is why Nutritech, the experts on powdered supplements and Organic by Nature the experts on powdered whole food concentrates chose to collaborate and produce the first multivitamin and mineral supplement powder which also contains 2 full grams of fruit in each serving.

The ALL ONE Fruit Antioxidant formula contains:
Tart Cherries, Wild Blueberries, Cranberries and Apples
Giving you a full 2 grams of powerful antioxidant protection in every serving.

So with little fuss and minimal cost (berries can be expensive) you can be sure to put to work the awesome research that continues to filter through as the scientists continue to discover just how good a bowl full of cherries can be.

For more technical information regarding berries and the research surrounding them please visit www.newhope.com