Myth: Berries are good, but antioxidant supplements are better.
Fact: There is substantial evidence that anthocyanin, an antioxidant found in blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, red cabbage, red radishes and purple vegetables such as eggplant is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease, many forms of cancer, and other chronic diseases and may also help slow down the aging process. On the other hand, the reviewers found no compelling evidence that adding high-dose antioxidant supplements benefit heart health. In fact, antioxidant supplements may be linked to health risk and may interact with some medicines.
Myth: Go nuts for nuts.
Fact: True! You should go nuts for nuts. And nut butters like almond, cashew, and peanut have the same nutritional advantages as nuts. But portion control is advised, as nuts are high in fat and calories. The heart health benefit of nuts is so compelling that recommendations for the inclusion of nuts are in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the American Heart Association’s Guidelines on Lifestyle Management to Reduce Heart Disease Risk.