A new report in the latest Journal of Nutrition by scientists from Norway and the U.S.,* reveals the results of exhaustive testing of popular foods for their nutritive value.

The study begins by noting that scientists now generally agree that "....diet has a major role in the development of ....cancer, coronary heart disease, obesity, diabetes type 2, 'high blood pressure] and cataract."

They graded foods by antioxidant potency, and ability to induce detoxification enzymes, that is, "....they 'activate] conversion of 'toxic substances, and] mutagenic products....to compounds that are more readily excreted." The plants that "detoxify" include broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, green beans, carrots, celery, ginger 'an especially important one,] and asparagus, green onions, leeks and spinach.

Foods that rated the highest in antioxidant ability were; blackberry, strawberry, raspberry and blueberry. Also black currants but not raisins, pomegranate (outstanding,) walnuts (also excellent) and sunflower seeds. And dried apricots, broad and fava beans.

Rating Foods For Health Value Bibliography

The Journal for Nutrition, Volume 132, 2002, Drs. Halvorsen, Holte, Myhrstad, Barikmo, Hvattum, Remberg, Wold, et al, of The Institute for Nutrition Research, Faculty of Medicine, U. of Oslo, Norway, Akershus U. College, Bekkestua, Norway, and the School of Public Health, U. of Minnesota, Milwaukee, MN 55454.