Tropical blueberries are extreme super fruits

April 27, 2011

The first analysis of the healthful antioxidant content of blueberries that grow wild in Mexico, Central and South America concludes that some of these fruits have even more healthful antioxidants than the blueberries — already renowned as "super fruits" — sold throughout the United States. These extreme super fruits could provide even more protection against heart disease, cancer and other conditions, the report suggests. It appears in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Edward Kennelly and colleagues note that although there are over 600 species of blueberries and blueberry-like fruits growing in Mexico, Central and South America (the so-called "neotropics"), very little research has been done on them. U.S.-grown blueberries are already famous for their antioxidants, which help the body get rid of harmful free radicals. So, the researchers decided to find out how neotropical blueberries stacked up against a grocery-store variety.

They found that two types of neotropical blueberries were extreme super fruits — they had significantly more than a type of blueberry commonly sold in U.S. supermarkets stores. The researchers say that these neotropical "have the potential to be even more highly promising edible fruits."

More information: “Edible Neotropical Blueberries: Antioxidant and Compositional Fingerprint Analysis” Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Provided by American Chemical Society search and more info website

3.7 /5 (3 votes)  

Rank 3.7 /5 (3 votes)
Relevant PhysicsForums posts
  • Schwartz reagent-- NMR/MS/IR
    created18 hours ago
  • High school chemistry EEI
    createdMay 25, 2012
  • oxidation of I- by KMnO4
    createdMay 25, 2012
  • Inversion temp
    createdMay 25, 2012
  • Hybridization of SnCl3 -
    createdMay 25, 2012
  • Electrons And Radiation
    createdMay 25, 2012
  • More from Physics Forums - Chemistry

More news stories

From lemons to lemonade: Reaction uses carbon dioxide to make carbon-based semiconductor

(Phys.org) -- A materials scientist at Michigan Technological University has discovered a chemical reaction that not only eats up the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, it also creates something useful. And, by ...

Chemistry / Materials Science

created May 21, 2012 | popularity 4.7 / 5 (88) | comments 32 | with audio podcast

New CO2-removing catalyst can take the heat

(Phys.org) -- The current method of removing the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) from the flues of coal-fired power plants uses so much energy that no one bothers to use it. So says Roger Aines, principal ...

Chemistry / Materials Science

created May 24, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (7) | comments 7 | with audio podcast

High-speed method to aid search for solar energy storage catalysts

Eons ago, nature solved the problem of converting solar energy to fuels by inventing the process of photosynthesis.

Chemistry / Materials Science

created May 25, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 4 | with audio podcast

Researchers demonstrate possible primitive mechanism of chemical info self-replication

(Phys.org) -- When scientists think about the replication of information in chemistry, they usually have in mind something akin to what happens in living organisms when DNA gets copied: a double-stranded molecule ...

Chemistry / Materials Science

created May 25, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (4) | comments 2 | with audio podcast

Castor oil: Action mechanism of one of the oldest drugs known to man elucidated

Castor oil is known primarily as an effective laxative; however, it was also used in ancient times with pregnant women to induce labour. Only now have scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung ...

Chemistry / Biochemistry

created May 21, 2012 | popularity 3 / 5 (2) | comments 3 | with audio podcast


Scientist: Evolution debate will soon be history

(AP) -- Richard Leakey predicts skepticism over evolution will soon be history. Not that the avowed atheist has any doubts himself.

Dell tablet leak: 10.1-inch display, two-battery choice

(Phys.org) -- Headline after headline talks about vendors’ tablets in the wings as likely number-one contenders for the iPad. Such claims have justifiably been taken with a grain of salt, considering ...

SpotterRF debuts Radar Backpack Kit (w/ Video)

(Phys.org) -- SpotterRF has announced a special radar backpack kit designed to enhance situational awareness for soldiers on the ground. The company says its special radar is designed for warfighters as part ...

SpaceX capsule has 'new car' smell, astronauts say (Update)

SpaceX's Dragon cargo vessel smells like a new car, said astronauts at the International Space Station after opening the hatches Saturday following the spacecraft's landmark mission to the orbiting lab.

Thousands of shellfish found dead in Peru

Thousands of crustaceans were found dead off the coast of Lima following the mystery mass death of dolphins and pelicans, the Peruvian Navy said Friday.

Astronomers seize last chance in lifetime for Venus Transit

Astronomers are gearing for one the rarest events in the Solar System: an alignment of Earth, Venus and the Sun that will not be seen for another 105 years.