Antioxidant Boost

Are you getting sufficient antioxidants in your diet? Probably not. As we age and accumulate exposure to UV rays and other environmental stressors, our bodies lose the capacity to fight off free radicals. Antioxidant supplements can replace some of the body’s lost defenses.



Here’s another way to boost your antioxidant intake reported in last month’s Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. Researchers from Kasetsart University in Thailand and the US Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service reported that treating strawberries and blackberries with volatile compounds such as ethanol (alcohol) boosted antioxidant activity significantly, as measured by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. They suggested this would work with any colored fruit.



Just don’t go overboard with the alcohol. As I frequently say, “Everything in moderation.” But if you’re going to have a drink anyway, think something fruity like a daiquiri. And here’s a quick and easy recipe for an impressive looking dessert.



Clean and slice a pint of strawberries. Drizzle with 2 oz. flavored liqueur and chill for several hours. In tall wineglasses, layer the fruit with low fat yoghurt. Combine different fruits, liqueurs and yoghurt flavors to your taste. One of my favorites is raspberries, banana liqueur and strawberry yoghurt.



Tags: antioxidant boost, antioxidant supplements, fruit with alcohol