Antioxidant Activity
Whether you’re looking for an antioxidant-packed snack, a superfood or a new supplement, you’ve likely seen advertisements about the ORAC values of various foods. But how can you tell if they really contain all that antioxidant power? The ORAC test measures the antioxidant capacity of various foods and spices. Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity looks to measure and account for total antioxidant capacity (TAC).
Understanding the synergistic effects of nutrient combinations and antioxidant activity suggests protection against free radical and oxidative damage to the body.
While there are many reasons for taking antioxidants, ORAC represents one of the most accurate measures of them. First of all, antioxidants are not “things” per se, but properties attributed to compounds and vitamins. Similarly, botanicals can contain thousands of different antioxidants. The ORAC value measures the relationships between different antioxidants and their benefits. In essence, the higher the number, the higher the antioxidant power. Therefore, the higher the ORAC value, the healthier you’ll be.
Few foods high in ORAC values:
Fruits:
- Prunes
- Raisins
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Plums
- Oranges
- Red Grapes
- Cherries
- Kiwi
- Pink Grapefruit
Vegetables:
- Kale
- Seaweed
- Spinach
- Brussels Sprouts
- Alfalfa Sprouts
- Brocolli
- Beets
- Red Bell Pepper
- Onions
- Egg Plant
- Chaga Mushroom