Don’t mix ‘em
Italian scientists have found that combining blueberries with cow’s milk destroys the antioxidant benefits they offer. Volunteers ate 200g of blueberries with 200 ml of either water or whole milk. Eating blueberries with water increased blood levels of antioxidants, combining them with milk did not. Previous work has shown that milk can interfere with the antioxidants in both tea and chocolate. This may result from milk proteins binding to the antioxidants. It may be time to rethink how we combine our foods.
Serafini et al., 2009. Antioxidant activity of blueberry fruit is impaired by association with milk. Free Radical Biology and Medicine. 46 (6) 769-774.
About the author
Dr. Justine Butler
Justine joined Viva! in 2005 after graduating from Bristol University with a PhD in molecular biology. After working as a campaigner, then researcher and writer, she is now Viva!’s head of research and her work focuses on animals, the environment and health. Justine’s scientific training helps her research and write both in-depth scientific reports, such as White Lies and the Meat Report, as well as easy-to-read factsheets and myth-busting articles for consumer magazines and updates on the latest research. Justine also recently wrote the Vegan for the Planet guide for Viva!’s Vegan Now campaign.
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