The Antiaging Power of Dark Fruits
March 7, 2011 
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Antiaging dark fruits have been big nutritional news ever since a 2007 research symposium presented scientific evidence that the antioxidants found in acai berries, pomegranates, blueberries, blackberries, and other dark fruits have amazing disease preventing and rejuvenating powers.
Not only can dark fruits slow down the aging process by preventing cellular damage and degradation, they also help to prevent cancer and inflammatory illness like stroke and heart disease, and can speed the healing process after injury or diseaseby encouraging the rapid regeneration of healthy cells.
The magic ingredients in antiaging dark fruits are called anthocyanins. These
complex nutritional compounds are found mostly in the skins, stems, and flesh of dark red or purplish plants. Odorless and tasteless, anthocyanins give fruits (andsome vegetables) a slightly astringent or tart quality.
Acai berries, black raspberries, cherries, red grapes, wild blueberries, blackberries, red raspberries, black currants, and chokeberry all contain high concentrations of anthocyanins. Anthocyanin-rich vegetables include red cabbage, eggplant, and purple corn. Curiously, anthocyanins themselves are rapidly excreted from the body. Scientists believe that anthocyanins work by changing blood chemistry while they are being digested, and that this effect is what accounts for the antiaging properties of darkfruits.
When shopping for antiaging dark fruits, read labels and be prepared to reject outlandish claims. Acai berries are indeed one of the richest sources of antioxidant anthocyanins, but they are also very expensive. A juice drink boasting acai berry might be mostly apple juice and sugar, or worse, apple juice and high fructose cornsyrup, with only a small portion of acai.
A more affordable strategy for consuming antiaging dark fruits is to develop the habit of tossing a handful of blueberries or black raspberries onto cereal or oatmeal, adding grated red cabbage or berries to tossed salad, or snacking on fresh or dried cherries instead of starch.
Red wine also contains plenty of anthocyanins, so adding a glass at dinner is anotherexcellent and delicious antiaging tip. Red wine is rich in resveratrol, another anti-inflammatory nutrient that was recently found to dramatically slow the aging process, and which is also currently added to many popular anti aging supplements.
Many antiaging dark fruits are native to specific locales, so stocking up by freezing quart bags of them while they are affordable and in season is a good idea. Find out which berries grow easily nearby and what time of the year they ripen, and then watch for ads and roadside sales.
Last but not least, the powerful protective nutrition in antiaging dark fruits is also available in supplement form as tablets, powders, and tinctures. Almost all major health food stores and most supermarket chains carry such supplements today.
Taking an antioxidant supplement is not a bad idea, but missing out on all the delicious ways to include antiaging dark fruits every day in the form of fresh, wholefood is!
So go ahead and indulge that passion for fresh berries. Your body will thank you.
Colleen Maxwell is the editor of Anti-Aging-Natural-Supplements.com.
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