Free radicals are those unstable substances that result after oxidation in the body. These substances can be harmful to the body and can cause significant damage to cells. They act particularly on cell components, including proteins, membranes, and genetic material which could lead to weakening of the cell until its eventual destruction. Free radicals can also damage our body systems and organs. Various studies have linked the accumulated level of free radicals to chronic diseases such as heart disease, Alzheimer's, cancer, Parkinson's, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, and many more. The net effect therefore of free radicals is premature aging and higher risk of developing chronic diseases.

Blueberries, cranberries, red berries, purple berries – say what? Yes, there is such a thing as a purple berry. You may not be that familiar with the term but new research has shown that when it comes to finding the best antioxidant source, nothing compares to purple berries.

Antioxidant fruits are not created equal. Some antioxidant fruits may have more antioxidant content compared to other fruits. Others may have nutrients with antioxidant properties, others may only have vitamins. But whatever the case, it is still quite clear that antioxidant fruits are good for the health.

The human body derives its energy from the utilization of nutrients and oxygen as fuel. But oxygen, for all its benefits and positive effects, may also carry with it some negative ripple effect. When processing oxygen in the body (a process called "oxidation), oxygen byproducts are produced. These byproducts, called free radicals, are highly reactive substances that may cause damage to cells. The antioxidant substances found in antioxidant fruits may work to neutralize these free radicals and in the process prevent them from causing damage.

Their benefits run anywhere from helping us look younger to protecting us from life-threatening diseases. Recent studies have even shown their potential as memory antioxidants, substances that can help reverse memory loss.

So what exactly are we talking about here? Why, of course, what else but blue berries and berry juice? Blue berries and berry juice are such amazing fruits with countless health benefits tied to them. In fact, about the only beneficial thing they can't seem to do is fixing that leaky faucet and some scientist is probably looking into that right about now. Indeed, the benefits of blue berries and berry juice are truly astounding and as small as they are, they are currently making big waves in the scientific circle.

Talk of the health benefits of antioxidants is quite common today. They are said to play a role in warding off heart disease, in preventing the slowing degeneration of the brain and eyes, in slowing down or even reversing the aging process. You name it and it seems antioxidants always have the key.

What are Free Radicals?

The culprits are these highly unstable chemical substances called free radicals. The job of antioxidants is to neutralize these free radicals and keep them from causing destruction to the cells.

The process of oxidation is where it all begins. The minute your body starts to process oxygen in order to produce energy is the first step to potentially developing a disease or starting the slow process of aging.

It's normal and it is a part of life. Certainly, it can't be completely dispelled. It can however be controlled. Now, by "control", we don't mean controlling the process of oxidation itself, but controlling the outcome of it.

If you want the health benefits of antioxidants but find that some fruits and vegetables are simply not to your liking, then do a little antioxidant comparison chart of foods. With the recent furor over antioxidants that's taking the scientific and medical community by storm these days, several scientists and nutrition researchers are all over themselves conducting antioxidant comparison studies to find which fruits have the highest concentration of the beneficial substances.

An antioxidant comparison of some of the most common fruits found that the little red berry in its pure form contained the highest quantity of disease-fighting phenols. Phenols are a type of antioxidant that is thought to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, stroke, and heart disease.

We've all heard of antioxidants as it pertains to human health. Antioxidants can fight almost anything from cancer to Alzheimer's disease, from aging to heart attacks. It seems antioxidants are capable of anything short of like fixing your car, perhaps. But what if you knew that antioxidants might have other uses besides neutralizing those evil, villainous free radicals that can cause cancer? What if antioxidants can, of all things, offer benefits to additive package, the type that you often find in compressor oil?

For years now, scientists have touted antioxidants as the answer to all sorts of diseases, even aging. From preventing heart disease to slowing down degenerative diseases, to stopping cancer, to reducing blood pressure – you name it and everything points right back to antioxidants.

The human body is incapable of producing its own concentration of antioxidants. For this reason, we depend solely on our diet in order to get the store of antioxidants we need to combat diseases. Antioxidants protect the body from harmful, excess free radicals, sweeping them up before they can cause damage.

A New Orleans study has revealed a new antioxidant that is believed to be more potent that vitamin C, E, and beta-carotene. This new disease-fighting substance is said to be found in red grapes, whose juice and skin may offer more than just wine.

The antioxidant red grapes are contained in the seeds of the fruit. Scientists say that these antioxidant red grapes may offer significant protection against certain types of cancer, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cataracts, and many other chronic and degenerative diseases.