Value of antioxidant capacity as relevant assessment tool for “health benefits” of fruit - understated or inflated?

  • Elizabeth Joubert Agricultural Research Council
  • Wentzel Gelderblom Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Abstract

Consumption of fruit and vegetables is considered to be an inherent part of a healthy diet, but more so since plant antioxidants, and in particular polyphenols, have been linked through in vivo and epidemiological studies with positive health outcomes.1–3 As a result, polyphenols have been elevated to “lifespan essentials”, because scientific evidence indicated that they are needed by humans to achieve a full lifespan by reducing the risk of a range of chronic diseases.4 No Dietary Reference Intake values exist for polyphenols, however, it has been suggested that their target intake value should be based on the total polyphenol content provided by the “5-a-day” portions of fruit and vegetables recommendation by the World Health Organisation.5

Author Biographies

Elizabeth Joubert, Agricultural Research Council
PhD (Food Science) Principal Researcher Agricultural Research Council Infruitec-Nietvoorbij Stellenbosch
Wentzel Gelderblom, Cape Peninsula University of Technology
PhD (Biochemistry) Institute of Biomedical and Microbial Biotechnology Cape Peninsula University of Technology Bellville
How to Cite
Joubert, E., & Gelderblom, W. (1). Value of antioxidant capacity as relevant assessment tool for “health benefits” of fruit - understated or inflated?. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 29(4), 4-6. Retrieved from http://sajcn.co.za/index.php/SAJCN/article/view/1178
Section
Guest Editorial