From: Sam Gapriel (cache4-3.ruh.isu.net.sa)
Subject: Herbs as rich source of healthy antioxidants
Date: January 10, 2002 at 9:15 am PST

Researchers call herbs rich source of healthy antioxidants; oregano ranks highest
Source: American Chemical Society News Service
Publication date: 2002-01-07

Better health may be only a dash and sprinkle away: Researchers with the U.S. Department of Agriculture have found that herbs, in addition to making food tastier, are an abundant source of antioxidants and could provide potential anticancer benefits when supplementing a balanced diet.
Herbs have higher antioxidant activity than fruits, vegetables and some spices, including garlic, the researchers say. Their findings appear in a recent (Nov.) print issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society.

“Some herbs should be considered as regular vegetables,” says Shiow Y. Wang, Ph.D., the study’s lead researcher and a biochemist with the USDA’s Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Beltsville, Md. “People should use more herbs for flavoring instead of salt and artificial chemicals.”

On a per gram fresh weight basis, oregano and other herbs ranked even higher in antioxidant activity than fruits and vegetables, which are known to be high in antioxidants. In comparison to the antioxidant activities of a few select fruits and vegetables, the potency of oregano ranks supreme: Oregano has 42 times more antioxidant activity than apples, 30 times more than potatoes, 12 times more than oranges and 4 times more than blueberries, Wang says.

For example, one tablespoon of fresh oregano contains the same antioxidant activity as one medium-sized apple, she says. (For other herbs, please see last page of release.)

Adding a moderate amount of herbs may go a long way toward boosting the health value of a meal, especially as an alternative to salt and artificial additives, the researcher suggests.

Even if you’re not into oregano, other herbs also appear to pack a significant antioxidant punch. Among the more familiar, ranked in order, are dill, garden thyme, rosemary and peppermint.

The most active phenol component in some of the herbs with the highest antioxidant activity, particularly oregano, was rosmarinic acid, a strong antioxidant, the researcher says.

Antioxidants have become synonymous with good health. They are a class of compounds thought to prevent certain types of chemical damage caused by an excess of free radicals, charged molecules that are generated by a variety of sources including pesticides, smoking and exhaust fumes. Destroying free radicals may help fight cancer, heart disease and stroke, researchers believe.

Fruits and vegetables have long been viewed as a rich source of antioxidant compounds. Health officials have been urging consumers for years to eat more fruits and vegetables in order to gain the health benefits of antioxidants, but progress has been slow, according to researchers. Westerners still tend to favor diets that are rich in fats and carbohydrates, they say.

Now, herbs have emerged as a quick and easy way to get a concentrated source of antioxidants — without all the extra calories of whole foods, Wang says. She recently compared the antioxidant activity of herbs to a few select spices, including paprika, garlic, curry, chili, and black pepper. Herbs came out on top, she says.

In general, fresh herbs and spices are healthier and contain higher antioxidant levels compared to their processed counterparts. For example, the antioxidant activity of fresh garlic is 1.5 times higher than dry garlic powder, the researcher says.

Just as consuming too much of any food product can carry health risks, herbs should be used with moderation, she cautions.

Whatever form they take, herbs are no substitute for a balanced diet, Wang says. Pregnant women in particular should consult their physicians before taking herbal supplements, she adds.

— by Mark T. Sampson

THESE MEASURES OF FRESH HERBS CONTAIN THE SAME ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY AS ONE APPLE:

1 tablespoon of oregano
3 tablespoons of dill
4.5 tablespoons of thyme
7 tablespoons of sage
8 tablespoons of parsley