Comparison of Antioxidant Potency of Commonly Consumed Polyphenol-Rich Beverages in the United States

Abstract

A number of different beverage products claim to have antioxidant potency due to their perceived high content of polyphenols. Basic and applied research indicates that pomegranate juice (PJ), produced from the Wonderful variety of Punica granatum fruits, has strong antioxidant activity and related health benefits. Although consumers are familiar with the concept of free radicals and antioxidants, they are often misled by claims of superior antioxidant activity of different beverages, which are usually based only on testing of a limited spectrum of antioxidant activities. There is no available direct comparison of PJ's antioxidant activity to those of other widely available polyphenol-rich beverage products using a comprehensive variety of antioxidant tests. The present study applied (1) four tests of antioxidant potency [Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), total oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), free radical scavenging capacity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)]; (2) a test of antioxidant functionality, that is, inhibition of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation by peroxides and malondialdehyde methods; and (3) evaluation of the total polyphenol content [by gallic acid equivalents (GAEs)] of polyphenol-rich beverages in the marketplace. The beverages included several different brands as follows: apple juice (3), açaí juice (3), black cherry juice (3), blueberry juice (3), cranberry juice (3), Concord grape juice (3), orange juice (3), red wines (3), iced tea beverages (10) [black tea (3), green tea (4), white tea (3)], and a major PJ available in the U.S. market. An overall antioxidant potency composite index was calculated by assigning each test equal weight. PJ had the greatest antioxidant potency composite index among the beverages tested and was at least 20% greater than any of the other beverages tested. Antioxidant potency, ability to inhibit LDL oxidation, and total polyphenol content were consistent in classifying the antioxidant capacity of the polyphenol-rich beverages in the following order: PJ>red wine>Concord grape juice>blueberry juice>black cherry juice, açaí juice, cranberry juice>orange juice, iced tea beverages, apple juice. Although in vitro antioxidant potency does not prove in vivo biological activity, there is also consistent clinical evidence of antioxidant potency for the most potent beverages including both PJ and red wine.

HPLC Fingerprint of Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activities of Viscum album from Different Host Trees

“…The probability level of less than 0.05 was accepted as significant. An overall antioxidant potency composite index was determined by assigning an index value of 100 to the best score for each test, and then calculated an index score for all other samples within the test as follows: antioxidant index score = [(sample score/best score) x 100] (Seeram et al, 2008). The average of all four tests for each mistletoe extract was then taken for the antioxidant potency composite index.…”

Nutritional recommendations for individuals with Flammer syndrome

“…The polyphenolic content in red wine is higher than white wine [32], explaining why red wine exerts a stronger antioxidant capacity than white wines [33]. Polyphenols in wine lower the susceptibility of LDL lipids to oxidation [34] and improve endothelial dysfunction [35,36] impairment which leads to damage to vascular cells and the surrounding tissue.…”

Punica granatum L. protects mice against hexavalent chromium-induced genotoxicity

“…Analyses of the antioxidant property of pomegranate have shown that this fruit is superior to other foods in terms of antioxidant effects, such as red wine, cranberries and green tea (Seeram et al, 2008). Moreover certain reports have shown considerable antioxidant activities of Punica granatum in several in vitro and in vivo experimental models (Chidambara et al, 2002;Cerda et al, 2003;Ricci et al, 2006;Bishayee et al, 2011).…”

“…These include anti-inflammatory, antitumoral, diabetes prevention/ treatment, antiulcer, antimicrobial, antiangiogenic, immunomodulating and antioxidant activities. The medicinal properties of this fruit have been widely investigated and numerous scientific papers have corroborated with its popular use (Prashanth et al, 2001;Braga et al, 2005;Menezes et al, 2006;Vasconcelos et al, 2006;Aquil, Ahmad, 2007;Oliveira et al, 2010;Johanningsmeier, Harris, 2011).Analyses of the antioxidant property of pomegranate have shown that this fruit is superior to other foods in terms of antioxidant effects, such as red wine, cranberries and green tea (Seeram et al, 2008). Moreover certain reports have shown considerable antioxidant activities of Punica granatum in several in vitro and in vivo experimental models (Chidambara et al, 2002;Cerda et al, 2003;Ricci et al, 2006;Bishayee et al, 2011).…”