Antioxidants Abound in Cereals, Popcorn, Whole-Grain Snacks

[Guest guest]

Antioxidants Abound in Cereals, Popcorn, Whole-Grain Snacks

Study finds these foods contain high levels of polyphenols

By WestHealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, Aug. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Eating a bowl of your favorite cereal every day is a great source of natural antioxidants, new research shows.

Joe Vinson, a professor of chemistry at the University of Scranton, in Pennsylvania, and his team have found that nearly all whole-grain breakfast cereals and many common, grain-based snacks contain substantial amounts of polyphenols, a form of antioxidants that is thought to have major health benefits. Vinson was scheduled to present his findings Tuesday at the American Chemical Society annual meeting, held in Washington, D.C.

"Cereals have a plethora of [good things]," said Vinson, who tested more than 30 brands and types of breakfast cereals found in supermarkets. "They all have polyphenols."

more:

http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=630015

ref: Antioxidants

Antioxidants are substances that may protect your cells against the effects of free radicals. Free radicals are molecules produced when your body breaks down food, or by environmental exposures like tobacco smoke and radiation. Free radicals can damage cells, and may play a role in heart disease, cancer and other diseases.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/antioxidants.html