Free Radicals

blackberry fruit and leaves have antioxidant properties, according to a study published in the February 2000 issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Antioxidants protect against the effects of free radicals, molecules produced during the metabolism of food into energy, or in response to environmental toxins such as cigarette smoke. Free radicals can damage cells and may be a factor in heart disease, cancer and other health problems. The study found that blackberry leaves had higher oxygen radical absorbance capacity than the fruit.