Ferulic acid, aka hydroxycinnamic acid, is a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free-radical damage from pollution, ultraviolet light, or infrared radiation, all of which accelerate skin aging. It's found in the cell wall of plants like oats, brown rice, peanuts, and oranges.
Ferulic acid is found in some grains, seeds, legumes, fruits, and vegetables. Cooking can often increase the amount of ferulic acid in foods by breaking down the cellular compartments where it is stored; this is particularly true of grains. Among some of the foods rich in ferulic acid are:
Apple seeds;
Barley;
Bran;
Citrus fruits;
Corn;
Eggplant;
Flaxseed bread;
Navy beans;
Oatmeal;
Popcorn;
Rice;
Rice bran oil;
Rye bread.
Are food sources of ferulic acid better than supplements?
Compared to ferulic acid supplements, ferulic acid derived from food has greater bioavailability as more is readily absorbed in the intestine. By contrast, free ferulic acid (unbound to the plant cells) is largely insoluble and poorly absorbed.