Blueberries are often considered among the highest antioxidant fruits, but a new study suggests that gooseberries could contain even more anti-aging fighting power.

The exotic Ceylon gooseberry fruit is an attractive purple berry that is produced in the southwest tropics of Brazil and is often used in jams and drinks and also sold as a fresh fruit.

A new study finds that gooseberry skin and pulp are higher in antioxidant activity than blueberries and cranberries, say a team of Brazilian researchers, who were the first to analyze the berries for such nutritional content, they said.

Gooseberries contain high levels of phytochemicals, which makes them a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants help prevent the oxidative stress that occurs during metabolism and is linked to such diseases as heart disease and cancer.

Gooseberry skin could also potentially be a source of natural colorants and antioxidants for use in food manufacturing, said the researchers of the study, which is published in the Journal of Food Science.