Description: British blackcurrants have dethroned American blueberries as the reigning “superfruit” which can best help battle Alzheimer’s, cancer, and heart disease according to a new U.K. study. 

The Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI) has determined that blackcurrants contain higher levels of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins than blueberries or 19 other fruits. 

Such high levels of antioxidants can also help stave off diabetes, eye strain, and other illnesses. Besides testing blackcurrants and blueberries, researchers examined strawberries, raspberries, apples, blackberries, and cranberries, among other fruits.

“From a quick overview, it is clear those with a deep purple or red color perform particularly well, the darker the fruit the higher the antioxidant content,” said Dr. Derek Stewart, head of the nutrition program at SCRI. 

“Blackcurrants are very dark purple in color (purple is high on the alkaline pH scale) and in line with these indicators, comes out top in the majority of categories.”

Stewart said that the motivation for the research came from the huge amount of publicity surrounding “Superfruits,” coupled with the lack of consumer knowledge of what a “Superfruit” is or what it must contain. 

“We wanted to find out which fruit came out on top,” he said. “And blackcurrants can claim to be the No. 1 “Superfruit.” 

Here is a list of some of Dr. Young’s “Superfruits” for antioxidant and anti-aging benefits.

1) Avocado
2) Cucumber
3) Blackcurrant
4) Blueberry
5) Grapefruit
6) Tomato
7) Lemon 
8) Lime
9) Green papaya
10) Green pepper 
11) Pomegranate 
12) Cranberry
13) Coconut
14) Noni
15) Acai
16) Mangosteen