America's blueberry and its European cousin the bilberry (often made into jam) get their deep blue hue from antioxidants called anthocyanins.
Several studies suggest anthocyanins discourage blood clots from forming, warding off heart attacks. Recent studies also show that a possible improvement to night vision and the slowing of macular degeneration by strengthening tiny blood vessels in the back of the eye. The US Department of Agriculture’s Center for Aging at Tuft’s University studied more than 40 fruits and vegetables and discovered that blueberries had the highest levels of antioxidants of all the fruits and vegetables studied!
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Summer fruits like peaches and nectarines have phytochemicals (chemical compounds produced by plants) that are important for healthy skin. A recent study from the University of California-Davis showed peaches, nectarines and plums are good sources of several phytochemicals which act as antioxidants. These compounds are critical in maintaining healthy skin.
Antioxidants are substances that protect the body by capturing free radicals and eliminating them. Free radicals cause cell damage and can contribute to aging. Here's how antioxidants work to protect the skin. People experience two types of aging: intrinsic aging, which is mainly affected by genetics and lifestyle; and photoaging, which refers to skin changes resulting from exposure to UV rays.
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