Bush fruits rich in antioxidants
Cosmos magazine
Thursday, 2 August 2007
by John Pickrell Cosmos Online Bush tucker: The Illawarra plum has a subtle flavour, but is blessed with an antioxidant level many times higher than blueberries, a more typical fruit thought of as antioxidant-rich.SYDNEY: Some indigenous Australian fruits, such as the Kakadu and Burdekin plums, have been found to be many times richer in cancer-fighting antioxidants than than even the blueberry, which is renowned for its high antioxidant levels.
A study commissioned by Food Science Australia found that 12 native fruits are exceptional sources of antioxidants, which can reduce oxidative stress in our bodies and minimise damage to DNA and proteins by mopping up highly reactive free radical molecules.
While indigenous people have eaten Australian native fruits for thousands of years, this is the first scientific study of the fruits as a source of antioxidants.