Antioxidants provide around-the-clock defenses against free-radical damage to your arteries. Researchers at the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University measured various fruits for their ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity), which is just another way of saying their antioxidant power.
1. Prunes
2. Raisins
3. Blueberries
4. Blackberries
5. Strawberries
6. Raspberries
7. Plums
8. Oranges
9. Grapes
10. Cherries
Since it is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable month, you are probably choppin’ at the bit to get your taste buds on some fresh fruit.
So how can you tell which fruit is ripe for the pickin’?
Here are a few quick tips for some of the most popular summer fruits to make sure you select the tastiest fruit from the grocery or farmers’ market.
1. Watermelon: A ripe watermelon will make a hollow sound. For a more effective freshness test, choose a melon that is heavy for its size and has a mild yellow underside.
2. Peaches: A good peach will give with soft pressure and have a strong aroma and no dark or mushy spots. For a little further ripening, place peaches in a brown paper bag on a counter for a day or two to soften.
3. Cherries: Ripe cherries should have firm texture and be deep-red in color. They can be kept in the refrigerator for several days and in the freezer for up to one year.
Craving more fruit pickin’ tips?
Visit Fruit and Veggie Guru for tips on how to find the ripest fruit on a fruit-by-fruit basis.
And make sure to wash all of your fruit before slicing or eating. Any bacteria and germs that might have collected on the skin of the fruit will enter it when you plunge the knife in.
