Top 20 Antioxidant-Packed Foods

If you still need evidence that eating fruits and vegetables is beneficial, the USDA recently authorized a major study to identify the levels of antioxidants in some commonly consumed foods. (Antioxidants are disease fighting compounds that are thought to fight many common ailments like cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's.)

In addition to testing fruits and vegetables, the study also examined spices and nuts. Although we normally consume spices in very small quantities, several were found to be very high in antioxidants - particularly ground cloves, ground cinnamon and oregano.

The list below is ranked by (TAC) or Total Antioxidant Capacity:

1. Small Red Bean (dried) Half cup
Total antioxidant capacity per serving size 13727

2. Wild blueberry 1 cup
Total antioxidant capacity per serving size 13427

3. Red kidney bean (dried) Half cup
Total antioxidant capacity per serving size 13259

4. Pinto bean Half cup
Total antioxidant capacity per serving size 11864

5. Blueberry (cultivated) 1 cup
Total antioxidant capacity per serving size 9019

6. Cranberry 1 cup (whole)
Total antioxidant capacity per serving size 8983

7. Artichoke (cooked) 1 cup (hearts)
Total antioxidant capacity per serving size 7904

8. Blackberry 1 cup
Total antioxidant capacity per serving size 7701

9. Prune Half cup
Total antioxidant capacity per serving size 7291

10. Raspberry 1 cup
Total antioxidant capacity per serving size 6058

11. Strawberry 1 cup
Total antioxidant capacity per serving size 5938

12. Red Delicious apple One
Total antioxidant capacity per serving size 5900

13. Granny Smith apple One
Total antioxidant capacity per serving size 5381

14. Pecan 1 ounce
Total antioxidant capacity per serving size 5095

15. Sweet cherry 1 cup
Total antioxidant capacity per serving size 4873

16. Black plum One
Total antioxidant capacity per serving size 4844

17. Russet potato (cooked) One
Total antioxidant capacity per serving size 4649

18. Black bean (dried) Half cup
Total antioxidant capacity per serving size 4181

19. Plum One
Total antioxidant capacity per serving size 4118

20. Gala apple One
Total antioxidant capacity per serving size 3903

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