Benefits of Antioxidants
Have you heard about the benefits of antioxidants? Have you seen ORAC or Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity on food products? What is it?
ORAC is a method of measuring the antioxidant capacity of food and drink. The benefits of antioxidants to your health is that they slow or prevent the oxidation of molecules (oxidative stress) which can produce free radicals. Free radicals can damage cells, and result in cellular mutations, tissue breakdown, and immune compromise.
Antioxidants are widely used as ingredients in dietary supplements in the hope of preventing diseases such as cancer and coronary heart disease, as well as slowing the aging process.
The USDA recommends a daily antioxidant intake range of 3000 – 5000 ORAC yet most American adults don’t reach this. Studies have shown that more active lifestyles may require higher amounts.
As you read this list of foods, remember that along with the ORAC value, calories and fats may come too! Consider this my disclaimer so you don’t eat lots and lots of chocolate and wonder why you are gaining weight.
Foods with high ORAC values include: (based on 100 gram amounts)
Unprocessed cocoa powder 26,000
Acai berry 18,500
Dark chocolate 13,120
Milk chocolate 6740
Prunes 5770
Peanut butter, creamy 3432
Pomegranate 3307
Raisins 2830
Blueberries 2400
Garlic 1939
Cranberries 1750
Strawberries 1540
Spinach, raw 1260
Broccoli florets 890
Avocado 782
Red grapes 739
Cherries 670
Banana 210
