ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity. It’s simply a method of measuring the antioxidant power of foods. The higher the ORAC score, the more antioxidants the food contains. Antioxidants protect us from oxidation.

Antioxidants Protect against Oxidation

Oxidation happens when oxygen interacts with a particular substance and in the process loses electrons. An example of oxidation would be - if a little lemon juice is squeezed on the apple when it is first cut, the lemon juice will protect the apple from turning brown, thus protecting it from oxidation. The lemon juice contains the antioxidant. Antioxidants protect our cells, organs, and other parts of our body against damage from oxidation. This damage is what ages us and makes us susceptible to disease.

The higher the ORAC value of a food, the more oxidation a food can prevent. The Nutrient Data Laboratory, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center (BHNRC), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) put together an ORAC chart in 2007. Foods are measured and compared at 100 grams.

** Note when researching this topic .I noticed many products are being promoted with parts of the chart being reproduced to make their products look more appealing. They may reflect the true ORAC rating but are not reflecting the fact that there may be foods with a higher rating than they choose to show. They may also show foods with inconsistent quantities making it hard to see the real picture.

You can find the ORAC chart here

While the recommended daily ORAC intake of Antioxidants is 5000 requirements increase significantly when challenged with health issues.

Some of the Amazing life extension Health Benefits of Antioxidants

• Antioxidants are said to possess Life Extension potential:

• Antioxidants Aid Detoxification

• Eyes/Vision is improved using Antioxidants

• Antioxidants support the Immune System

• Antioxidants Reduce Inflammation

• Antioxidants aid LDL Cholesterol Reduction and counteract Free Radical Damage

• Increased intake of antioxidants helps Prevent the skin from Sun Damage

• Antioxidants Inhibit Oxidative Processes (Most diseases have an oxidative effect on the body including obesity)

• Muscle Trauma Due to Exercise is reduced using Antioxidants

 

Top 10 Antioxidant Foods and their ORAC Rating (Oxygen Radical absorbance capacity) per 100g
Cloves (ground)	314,446
Raw Sumac Bran	312,400
Cinnamon (ground)	267,536
Sorghum , bran, hi-tannin	240,000
Oregano (dried)	200,129
Acai berry (Freeze – dried)	161,400
Tumeric (ground)	159,277
Sorghum Bran (Black)	100,800
Sumac Grain (Raw)	86,800
Cocoa Powder (dry unsweetened)	80,933

 

Vegetables High in Antioxidants
Garlic	1,939
Kale	1,770
Spinach	1,260
Yellow Squash	1,150
Brussels sprouts	980
Alfalfa sprouts	930
Steamed Spinach	909
Broccoli Flowers	890
Beets	840
Avocado	782

 

Juice / Supplement / Misc foods high in Antioxidants
Vit C (1.89 Orac units / mg)	189,000
Vit E (1.35 Orac units / IU / mg)	135,000
ORAC +	74,600
Dark Chocolate	13,120
Milk Chocolate	6,740
Berry Young Juice	4,214
Wolfberry (Goji Berries) Juice	3,472
Tahitian Noni Juice	1,506

When doing some research on Antioxidants I was really surprised to discover how high on the antioxidant list Cinnamon is.

It is realtively cheap and so easy to incorporate into foods. It is used widely in Europe for lowering blood sugar but is also known to :

• Lower Blood Pressure
• Ease heartburn , Vomiting, Nausea (take note Frannie) Flatuance (Take note of this- you know who and Frannie you know who I mean)
• Helps with some parasitic infections,detrimental yeasts including Candida.
• Lowers Serum Cholesterol ,Lowers tryglycerides, Increases HDL and lowers LDL

I had sort of forgotten how powerful it was and will now be adding it to my morning shake and to Apples and to lots of things.

100 grams equals 264083 ORAC UNITS so 5 grams (approx a teaspoon) is 13377 ORAC UNITS The daily recomendation is aprox 6000

So add Cinnamon to your childrens biscuits and they will be bouncing off the walls in no time

However - there is more.... Ít isn't simply a matter of choosing foods with the highest Orac Value. Antioxidants are specific in their actions and for best results you need to look at the vitamin , mineral , amino acid content of foods and choose Antioxidants that suit your unique system .

 

 

 

Here are a couple of great links for information on Antioxidants

 CSIRO - Clearly set out and easily understood information on Antioxidants

 BETTER HEALTH CHANNEL - General information on Antioxidants

 WIKIPEDIA - Detailed information on Antioxidants with references to research

 HEALTH CASTLE (Antioxidants explained simply)

 NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE a fact sheet on Antioxidants and Cancer Prevention

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