Bulk buyer alert: nutrients can decline quickly in potency

The recession is motivating more shoppers to stock up when fave foods go on sale. But beware: the potency of healthy nutrients can decline in short time. For example, new studies indicate degradation of the immunity-boosting antioxidant organic compounds called catechins in green tea leaves after long-term storage. And that olive oil sitting on your shelf may lose up to 40 percent of its health benefits within six months. These are among studies in the March 2009 Journal of Food Science, published by the Institute of Food Technologists.