What juice has the highest antioxidants?

Eating fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants is a great way to boost your health. Antioxidants help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can accumulate in your body and contribute to conditions like cancer, heart disease, and stroke. While all fruits and veggies contain some antioxidants, certain ones rise to the top as antioxidant powerhouses. Keep reading to find out which juices contain the most antioxidants to help supercharge your health!

What are Antioxidants?

Antioxidants are compounds found naturally in many foods that help neutralize free radicals in your body. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage your cells and lead to chronic disease. Antioxidants donate an electron to stabilize free radicals, stopping the damaging chain reaction they can cause.

There are many different types of antioxidants, each with unique functions and benefits. Some of the most common antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables include:

• Vitamin C – Boosts immunity and protects cells from damage
• Vitamin E – Defends against oxidative stress and inflammation
• Beta-carotene – Gets converted into vitamin A to support immune function and vision
• Lycopene – A potent antioxidant that gives fruits and veggies a red pigment
• Flavonoids – Anti-inflammatory compounds that protect the heart and brain

By consuming a variety of fruits and vegetables, you can take advantage of the diverse antioxidant compounds they contain to comprehensively support your health.

Why Juice?

Drinking antioxidant-rich juices is a convenient way to increase your produce intake and flood your body with free radical-fighting compounds. Juicing helps concentrate the antioxidants and nutrients from whole fruits and veggies into an easy-to-consume beverage.

Since juicing removes the produce’s fiber, it’s best to enjoy juices along with whole fruits and vegetables as part of an overall healthy diet. Here are some key benefits of drinking antioxidant-packed juices:

• Floods your body with antioxidants to neutralize damaging free radicals
• Increases your fruit and vegetable intake with an easy, nutritious beverage
• Absorbs antioxidants quickly into your bloodstream since there is no fiber
• Provides a concentrated dose of micronutrients like vitamins and minerals
• Easy to make and take on-the-go for a quick nutrient boost

Highest Antioxidant Juices

All fruits and vegetables contain some level of antioxidants. However, some rise to the top when it comes to antioxidant concentration. According to testing methods like ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity), these juices contain the highest antioxidant levels per serving:

Pomegranate Juice

With its richness of polyphenol antioxidants like flavonoids and anthocyanins, pomegranate juice ranks at the top for antioxidant content. In particular, its punicalagins and punicalins compounds deliver strong free radical scavenging activity. Research shows pomegranate juice may help:

• Reduce oxidative stress
• Lower inflammation
• Decrease blood pressure
• Inhibit LDL “bad” cholesterol oxidation

Aim for 100% pomegranate juice with no added sugars. An eight ounce glass provides optimal antioxidant benefits.

Concord Grape Juice

The dark purple and red pigments of Concord grapes result from antioxidant compounds like anthocyanins and catechins. Drinking Concord grape juice may:

• Protect heart health
• Reduce cancer cell proliferation
• Enhance brain function
• Improve memory

For most antioxidants, select 100% Concord grape juice varieties without added sweeteners. Eight ounces a day can provide excellent antioxidant support.

Acai Berry Juice

Acai berries grow on palm trees in the Amazon rainforest. They explode with antioxidants, including anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, and flavonoids. Research indicates acai juice may:

• Increase antioxidant capacity
• Reduce blood pressure
• Improve cholesterol levels

Choose 100% acai juice and aim for two to four ounces per day to reap antioxidant benefits. Avoid added sugars or dilutions.

Tart Cherry Juice

Tart cherries contain the antioxidant anthocyanin, which gives them their distinct red color. Tart cherry juice has been shown to:

• Reduce exercise-induced oxidative damage
• Decrease inflammation
• Boost strength and muscle recovery

Drink eight to twelve ounces of 100% tart cherry juice daily to maximize antioxidants and support exercise recovery.

Blueberry Juice

The polyphenol antioxidants in blueberries, especially anthocyanins and pterostilbenes, provide powerful antioxidant effects. Blueberry juice may:

• Improve insulin sensitivity
• Enhance cognition
• Prevent LDL cholesterol oxidation

Consume 100% blueberry juice with no added sugars. Target one to two cups daily to get an antioxidant boost.

Black Cherry Juice

Like other deeply pigmented fruits, black cherries contain a spectrum of polyphenol antioxidants, including anthocyanins. Black cherry juice can:

• Reduce inflammation
• Decrease oxidative stress
• Support cardiovascular health

Select 100% black cherry juice with no sugar added. Aim for one-half to one cup daily to raise antioxidant levels.

Cranberry Juice

Cranberries have a rich supply of antioxidant polyphenols like proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, flavonols, and catechins. Cranberry juice may:

• Inhibit LDL oxidation
• Support heart health
• Reduce infections

Choose unsweetened 100% cranberry juice and consume four to eight ounces per day for optimal antioxidant intake.

Prune Juice

Alongside fiber, prunes contain polyphenols like neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acid that act as antioxidants. Prune juice can:

• Suppress oxidative stress
• Support bone health
• Aid digestion

Select 100% prune juice without added sugar. Aim for four to eight ounces daily to obtain antioxidants.

Antioxidant Content by Juice

ORAC values help quantify the antioxidant content per serving in different juices. The higher the ORAC value, the greater the juice’s antioxidant capacity.

Juice	ORAC Value
Pomegranate Juice	2,860
Concord Grape Juice	1,135
Acai Juice	1,027
Tart Cherry Juice	747
Blueberry Juice	675
Black Cherry Juice	655
Cranberry Juice	525
Prune Juice	419

Keep in mind that ORAC values may vary between different juice brands and batch testing. However, these results give you a general idea of the juices with the highest antioxidant contents.

How to Select the Best Antioxidant Juices

Maximize the antioxidant power of your juice by keeping these selection tips in mind:

• Choose 100% fruit juices – Avoid added sugars, dilutions, or juice “cocktails.”
• Go for dark pigments – Deep purple, red, and blue hues signal high antioxidant levels.
• Refrigerate after opening – Store opened juices in the fridge and consume within three to five days.
• Avoid excess heat – Don’t microwave antioxidant juices or leave them sitting out.
• Check the ingredient list – Make sure juices only contain the stated fruit and maybe citric acid or ascorbic acid.

Maximizing Antioxidant Absorption

Certain tips can help your body best absorb and utilize the antioxidants in juice:

• Pair with protein or healthy fats – This improves antioxidant uptake.
• Avoid drinking with meals – Sipping juice 30 minutes before or after eating maximizes nutrient absorption.
• Consume daily – Get antioxidants into your regular routine for continuous benefits.
• Store properly – Keep leftover juice refrigerated and discard after a few days.
• Use a straw – This minimizes contact with mouth bacteria that can degrade some antioxidants.

Precautions for Antioxidant Juices

While antioxidant juices offer many perks, a few precautions are warranted:

• May interact with medications – Some juice compounds may alter drug metabolism, so check with your doctor.
• High in sugar without fiber – Focus on low-glycemic options and consume in moderation.
• Possible pesticide residues – Opt for organic juice when possible to minimize exposures.
• Can stain surfaces – Many antioxidant juices will permanently stain light carpets, fabrics, and surfaces.
• Not a cure-all – While beneficial, antioxidant juice should not replace medical therapies.

The Bottom Line

Juices like pomegranate, Concord grape, acai berry, and tart cherry top the list for antioxidant content. Choosing 100% antioxidant-rich juices and consuming them daily delivers a powerhouse of free radical-fighting nutrients into your diet. Pairing these beverages with whole fruits and veggies as part of an overall balanced regime provides optimal antioxidant support for your cells and body.

So try rotating through a vibrant rainbow of antioxidant-packed juices to boost your health and help reduce your risk of chronic diseases related to oxidative stress. Just be sure to enjoy antioxidant juices in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet and lifestyle for the best results.