Fruits are also powerful antioxidants. In a study published in 2017, blueberry smoothies were pitted against a placebo smoothie. Those who drank a daily blueberry smoothie had a marked decrease in oxidative stress markers, mostly from blood monocytes, and decreased inflammation. The markers were less than half of those who drank the placebo smoothie.*
In another study, strawberries were shown to improve Interleukin-6 production, which is a sign of decreased inflammation. Only five strawberries a day produced these results.
Here is the list of the top ten antioxidant-rich fruits in ascending order. Grapefruit, kiwi, cherries (especially tart cherries), red grapes, oranges, plums, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries. Notice that the lowly plum is near the top of this list. The rest of the top five are berries that can be expensive.
Enjoy a serving every day of one, or more, of these delicious and healthy fruits!
* Food Funct 2017 Nov 15; 8(11):4118-4128.doi:10.1039/c7fo00815e Blueberry supplementation attenuates oxidative stress within monocytes and modulates immune cell levels in adults with metabolic syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Nair AR, et al.