Learn about brain health and nootropics to boost brain function
(Natural News) Researchers continue to look for foods rich in natural antioxidants to be used for improving health and preventing diseases. Researchers from the University of Uyo and Rivers State University of Science and Technology in Nigeria found that the African walnut (Coula edulis Baill.), a plant abundant in Nigeria, is packed with antioxidants, which can be used in food and for medicinal purposes.
For their study, which was published in the European Journal of Medicinal Plants, the research team investigated the antioxidant properties of organic and aqueous extracts of the African walnut. In addition, the researchers looked at the total phenolics, flavonoids, and vitamin C content in the extracts. They also evaluated the metal chelating and reducing power of the extracts.
The results of the evaluations revealed that African walnut is rich in phenolics, flavonoids, and vitamin C. In addition, the extracts of the African walnut exhibited promising antioxidant activities, with great metal chelating and reducing properties. The aqueous extract of the African walnut contained the highest amounts of flavonoids and vitamin C and exhibited the best antioxidant potentials.
Based on the findings of the study, the researchers concluded that the African walnut is packed with phenolics, flavonoids, and vitamin C, and potent antioxidant activities. These suggested that the African walnut can be used as a health food.
Aside from the African walnut, there are many other common fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants. These include broccoli, apricots, raspberries, cherries, watermelon, artichokes, oranges, and spinach, among others. These foods also help reduce the oxidizing damage in the body caused by free radicals.
Mother Nature's micronutrient secret: Organic Broccoli Sprout Capsules now available, delivering 280mg of high-density nutrition, including the extraordinary "sulforaphane" and "glucosinolate" nutrients found only in cruciferous healing foods. Every lot laboratory tested. See availability here.
African walnut is an edible single-seeded stone fruit. This black-shelled nut is most commonly eaten as snacks in Nigeria, where it is referred to as Okpa. Eating this plant food can give you many health benefits. Here are some of them:
Read more news stories and studies on antioxidant-rich foods like African walnuts by going to SuperFoods.news.
Sources include:
Click here to view full article