10/12/2007 – The antioxidant capacity of fresh fruit and vegetables does not decrease during storage, and the polyphenol content even increases, suggests new research.

According to Belgian researchers from the University of Liege, storing selected fruit and vegetables at room temperature or under refrigeration did not result in any loss of phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid or flavonols – a trio of chemical classes associated with antioxidant content.

The health benefits of consuming a diet rich in fruit and vegetables are backed up by a multitude of studies, with the Five-a-day message now well engrained in the consumer’s awareness. However, applying this does not seem to be filtering down into everyday life, with recent studies indicating that the average consumption of people in developed countries is three portions a day.

“The new and interesting result of this study was the relative stability of the antioxidant capacity in most fruits and vegetables during storage,” wrote lead author Claire Kevers in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

“In general, fruits and vegetables visually spoil before any significant antioxidant capacity loss occurs. Nevertheless, it could be stressed that, in general, polyphenolic content increased.”

Kevers and co-workers obtained various fruit and vegetables from Belgian market and, after measuring its initial antioxidant content, stored the produce at room temperature or refrigerated them (four degrees Celsius). The antioxidant levels of the fruit and vegetables were measured at various times until the produce visually spoiled.

The antioxidant capacities were evaluated using three measure: the total phenolic content; the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay; and the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC).

According to the researchers, black grapes contained the highest phenolic levels (582 mg of CAE per 100 g), followed by bananas, green grape, lemon, strawberry, and plum. Red and yellow peppers topped the phenolic ranking for vegetables with 296 and 284 mg of CAE per 100 g, respectively.

Similar results were observed in terms of radical scavenging activity, with grapes, bananas, and lemon leading the way with DPPH measures, while the red, yellow and green peppers had DPPH values six times that of the other vegetables.

The ORAC assay ranked strawberry, cherry, plum, and black grape as the top four for the fruit, while peppers again ranked high for the vegetables. These were closely followed by spinach, broccoli, and garlic.

After storage, Kevers and co-workers report that the DPPH values were, in general, relatively stable. However, the phenolic content – particularly the flavonoid content – did increase during storage.

“The preservation of fruit phenolic content has a great impact on the quality of fruits because of the contribution of phenols not only in enzymatic browning reactions but also on nutritional value of the product, as antioxidant capacity,” wrote the researchers.

“The results of this study indicated that in most fruits and vegetables the storage did not affect negatively the antioxidant capacity. In some cases an increase of the antioxidant capacity was observed in the days following their purchase,” they stated.

“A validation of the antioxidant capacity approach is essential for investigating the role of food antioxidants in human health,” they added.

Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry Published on-line ahead of print. ASAP Article, doi: 10.1021/jf071736j
“Evolution of Antioxidant Capacity during Storage of Selected Fruits and Vegetables”Authors: Claire Kevers, M. Falkowski, J. Tabart, J.-O. Defraigne, J. Dommes, J. Pincemail

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Note: Red and yellow peppers, along with ”raw” spinach and broccolli, are at the top of the list of the most beneficial vegetables that we can consume. Dr. E

Question: Hi,

I have a couple of questions about your Mangosteen product. I would like to use the mangosteen as a therapeutic agent. I have taken a product called Xango for a few weeks. I have not been able to determine how much mangosteen whole fruit is actually in the product. I see that yours comes in two ways, one, in its natural state, then pureed and juiced and the other is mixed with other berry juices. I do not know what mangosteen juice tastes like all by itself.

Also, would there be a therapeutic difference between taking the mangosteen only juice product to get the benefits of the mangosteen constituents over the “elixir” blended juice product?

I would like to know if there is anyone in your business who is familiar with the scientific research and findings regarding mangosteen by a Dr. E. B White from Utah and if so could make some comments to me about it.

Thank you.

Christina Ackerman

Answer: Christina,

I have not been able to determine how much mangosteen whole fruit is actually in the product.
——— “Xango is an MLM and as with most MLM’s they are about promotion not product. Xango, Freelife, and Mona Vie do not disclose %’s of juice but have tons of great stories and promotional tools.”

I see that yours comes in two ways, one, in its natural state, then pureed and juiced and the other is mixed with other berry juices. I do not know what mangosteen juice tastes like all by itself.
——–”Mangosteen tastes very ordinary by itself, nothing special.”

Also, would there be a therapeutic difference between taking the mangosteen only juice product to get the benefits of the mangosteen constituents over the “elixir” blended juice product?
——– “I prefer and recommend the blend 99% of the time.”

I would like to know if there is anyone in your business who is familiar with the scientific research and findings regarding mangosteen by a Dr. E. B White from Utah and if so could make some comments to me about it.
———– “I did a google search of that name and mangosteen and could not find anything. If you forward me a link I will take a look and e-mail back.”

Sincerely,

Marcus Ettinger DC, BSc.

Response back: Marcus,

Thank you for promptly answering all of my questions. Not many people do this so quickly and thoroughly. I will look for other references about Dr. E. B. White’s research on mangosteen and get back to you.

….Thanks again for your time and timeliness.

From CAOH Customer Service:

California Academy of Health’s Acai Max contains USDA Organic Certified Acai, the purest form of acai fruit. The acai berry is a tiny, round, and blackish purple fruit that looks like a grape, but in fact has more than double the antioxidant power of blueberries and 30 times more anthocyanins than a glass of red wine. The amazing energizing nutrient density of the acai berry classifies it as one of the top “Superfoods” in the world.

SI for Women calls the acai fruit “One of the 41 Top Things on Earth,” and the “optimum fruit you’ve never heard of.” The acai berry has also received recent rave reviews from Men’s Health Journal, Well Being Sciences Institute and Vogue. What should be known are the many added bonuses of the amazing acai fruit: 60% Oleic acid (omega-9) a monounsaturated fatty acid which helps to decrease LDL (harmful cholesterol), while maintaining HDL (beneficial cholesterol); and 12% Linoleic acid (omega-6) a polyunsaturated essential fatty acid which has been found to lower LDL levels, while promoting healthy HDL’s.

Acai also contains unique plant chemicals known as phytosterols. Phytosterols are compounds of plant cell membranes that provide many benefits throughout the human body. Reduction of blood plasma cholesterol being the primary one. Phytosterols are currently being used to treat symptoms affiliated with BPH (benign prostate hyperplasia) and PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome). The acai fruit is amazing by itself but benefits from the synergy of other “superfoods” like those found in our Acai Max.

Question: Had a question? I have been reading other site and they all say that the acai should be freeze dried within 24 hours or the product degrades and that only the powder or freeze dried is the best as in retaining all the nutrients’. Is this true and how dose your company get the acai berries. Thank you

Answer: Ernest,

Everyone obtains the berries the same way as there is only one way. Whether it is freeze dried, juiced, or pureed, as long as it is away from oxygen is all that matters. It is a fruit just like oranges or apples and needs the exact same treatment, no more – no less. Any special preparation method listed is merely hype.

It is more about the blend than anything else. Do you want a celery salad or a mixed salad with micro-greens? We are all about the synergy of blends. Every fruit in our Mangosteen Elixir, Acai Max, and Goji Fusion it there for a reason and taste isn’t the first one (though they all taste great).

Lastly, see if you get the same or any response for the other guys.

I hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Marcus Ettinger DC, BSc.

Question: Can acai juice be taken by someone with diabetic/end stage renal disease diet and high blood pressure? John Z.

Answer: Dear John,

I personally don’t know of any contraindications to drinking acai juice. It’s just a fruit juice, so if you can drink fruit juice you’re most likely going to be fine with the acai juice. If you still have concerns please consult with your personal physician. This is not a recommendation only my opinion.

Marcus Ettinger DC, BSc.

“A picture is worth a thousand words.”

This is what [our] raw Goji Juice looks like before we ad our proprietary camu-camu fruit blend.  It looks just like raw carrot juice, alive and vibrant.  This is 100% pure goji juice.

Below is Genesis’ Goji 100!  It’s almost black with a thickness like molasses or syrup.

“I am sure you know what 100% cranberry juice or apple juice or grape juice or even orange juice looks like?  It’s not like syrup and it’s not black, so why does the above, so called 100% goji juice, look like that?  Maybe because it’s a processed concentrate?”

Marcus Ettinger DC, BSc.

Q: Dear Sir:

I have a few questions regarding your goji juice. Do you use the berry stems in your juice? Also, do you have polysaccharides in it, if so, how many? Also, what species of Goji berries do you use and where are they grown? Also, do you have any kind of guarantee with your juice? Also, does it have a spectral signature?

The reason I am asking so many questions is because I’ve been on disability 30 years for Lupus and have been told Goji juice could help me tremendously. But the people that tell me that are with the FreeLife Company. They have a 90 day guarantee and say there’s nothing else as good as there’s on the market for a number of reasons. Your product is much more reasonable; but, dealing with the health issue I have, I need good quality; but price is a big matter because of living alone and on disability for 30 years.

I would appreciate any information you can render. Thank you very much for taking your valuable time to answer my questions.

Sincerely,

Lesley S.

A: Dear Lesley,

It is mandatory that every multi-level-marketing product has to possess at least one “magical quality or property.” This “magical quality or property” is what makes their (MLM) product so unique amongst the masses and keeps the user prejudiced to their (MLM) product. In this way the MLM and their distributors can claim the stars and down-play the competition. FreeLife has their “Spectral Signature”. Below are two links that will help. The bottom line is this: our goji juice has a higher concentration of real goji (no stems), has all the same unique, master-molecule polysaccharides as FreeLife’s, is less expensive and doesn’t have any MLM strings attached.

Link -Is FreeLife Goji Juice the best?

Link – Goji Spectral Signature

Here are 10 Reasons Why Our California Academy of Health Goji Juice Is So Special:

1) The Goji berries and Camu-Camu fruit in our juice are hand picked when at the peak of ripeness, they are then cold pressed and flash pasteurized to preserve their freshness and the natural levels of all bioactive compounds.

2) Our Goji (Lycium barbarum) berries are grown in pristine and unpolluted farm land, and only pure snow run-off is the only water our goji plants.

3) Our growers personally pick out the best lots of Goji berries before the rest are taken to market. We pay a little more for our raw product but it’s worth it. The combination of superior raw ingredients, technical expertise, responsibility and ethics has allowed us to produce a Goji juice that is the “hands down” leader in the market place today.

4) Even though the practices used to grow and harvest the berries conform to stringent USDA Organic Certification criteria, we still have the berries tested for pesticides and heavy metals. Our Goji juice is produced in an FDA inspected laboratory. Note: The facility we use is presently in review for GMP certification.

5) Our Camu-Camu (Myrciaria dubia) fruit is grown along lush river banks throughout the Amazon rain forest. The fruit is wild-harvested by pickers standing in canoes because the fruits mature during the high water or flooding seasons in the Amazon. Our growers there take personal pride in their jobs and only pick the best fruit for us to use.

6) California Academy of Health Goji Juice is 60% pure Goji berry juice and 40% Camu-Camu fruit, fruit and berry blend. WE DO NOT ADD WATER to our juice, NOR DO WE USE CONCENTRATE; it’s just 100% pure fruit and berry juice.

7) Our Goji juice supplies 250mg of natural vitamin-C per fluid ounce.

All four unique Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharides (LBP) are in our Goji juice.

9) Our Goji juice is made from berries that are cold presses then flash pasteurized. The “flash pasteurization” method heats the juice to 160°F (71°C) for 15 sec, followed by rapid cooling to below 50°F (10°C). The juice can then be stored at room temperature. This process has a negligible harmful effect on the juices healthful properties. Note: Be aware that “all” non-pasteurized products require an FDA warning label stating that fact. A preservative free product = A heat pasteurized, hot (bottle) filled product = little nutritional value.

In addition, other products on the market are made from a dehydrated concentrate that is reconstituted with water. The dehydration process in and of itself is pasteurization and is far more harmful to the healthful properties in the fruit. This process also removes the living water that the fruit produces naturally.

Each Goji juice batch is tested for purity and contaminates. The product is produced in an FDA inspected laboratory. FYI – there is no such thing as an FDA approved lab

10) Lastly, we are the first company to bring such a unique product (Goji/Camu-Camu blend) to market with a 100% satisfaction guaranty.

Sincerely,

Marcus Ettinger DC, BSc.

Response: Dear Dr. Ettinger:

Thank you so very, very much for your prompt reply to my questions about your Goji juice. Something in my spirit didn’t feel right about the Free Life goji juice. It’s not that I didn’t think it was good (they have a 90 day guarantee), but I’ve always thought that any multi level company may have a good product but have to charge more for their product so they will be able to have the money to pay all their distributors. I would have had to have gone into debt to afford FreeLife’s goji juice because of my having been on disability for 30 years.

I plan to share the information you sent me with my podiatrist I am seeing tomorrow. He is a brilliant man that does a lot of research on a lot of different fields besides podiatry and also including nutritional things. He had been given the Free Life “line,” and he was encouraging people to purchase it and become distributors. Your information may not change his mind because of his heavy involvement at present, but you have helped change mine. I have been praying for weeks about what to do regarding the goji juice situation because I was diagnosed with systemic Lupus 30 years ago and know this product could help me, but couldn’t justify the expense verses my budget at present.

Thanks, again, so very much for your information.

Sincerely,

Lesley S

I am trying to decide whether to purchase Magnosteen elixir, goji or noni juice. I do have hypertension, hypothryoidism and endometriosis. Which product would benefit me the most and how much should I take? Thank You . Kathy

Dear Kathy,

First I want you to remember that these are nutritional fruit juices, they are not medicines. That said; each fruit possesses its own unique chemical make-up.
Each fruit has different combinations of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants (phenols, flavonoids and polysaccharides).

I am a big fan of the word synergy, the phenomenon in which two or more discrete influences or agents acting together create an effect greater than the sum of the effects each is able to create independently.

Mangosteen is great, Goji is great and Noni is great. One is not any worse or better than the other, each is special and unique. But if I could only pick one I would have to pick the Mangosteen Elixir. The Mangosteen Elixir contains Goji and Noni along with many other synergistic juices. So there you have it.

Sincerely,

Marcus Ettinger DC, BSc.