Health

Whole Grain Cereals and Popcorn Surprisingly Rich in Antioxidants

by Scott Wu | August 19, 2009 at 12:33 pm

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Scientists found snack foods like popcorn and breakfast cereals contain "surprisingly large" quantities of antioxidant substances "polyphenols". The study was revealed today at the 238th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS).

Polyphenols are a major reason why fruits and vegetables — and foods like chocolate, wine, coffee, and tea — have become renowned for their potential role in reducing the risk of heart disease, cancer, and other diseases.

Until now, however, no one knew that commercial hot and cold whole grain cereals — regarded as healthful for their fiber content — and snack foods also were a source of polyphenols.

In the past, it was believed that fiber in whole grains was the active ingredient for reducing the risk of cancer and coronary heart disease. The new study shows that whole grain products have antioxidants in quantities comparable to fruits and vegetables in per gram basis.

Polyphenols are a group of chemicals found in many fruits, vegetables, and other plants, such as berries, walnuts, olives, tea leaves and grapes. Known as antioxidants, they remove free radicals from the body. Free radicals are chemicals that have the potential to cause damage to cells and tissues in the body.

Joe Vinson who headed the new study said, "Breakfast cereals, pasta, crackers, and salty snacks constitute over 66 percent of whole grain intake in the U.S. diet."

But before you justify your daily diet, think about all the sugar and salt that come with the snacks.

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Yuliya Talmazan

at 12:55 on August 19th, 2009

Interesting find. Although I think cereal and popcorn are not that surprising to find antioxidants in. I would have been surprised if they found antioxidants in french fries.