Oxygen Radical Absorbance Captivity
ORAC is short for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Captivity is a measurement developed by the scientists at Tufts University located in Oklahoma. This group of scientists worked with the US Dept. of Agriculture to design a way of measuring how effective a particular food is at destroying free radicals. In other words, how good of an antioxidant is it.
The higher the ORAC value the better job it does at destroying free radicals, and therefore in slowing down the aging process and diseases or illnesses associated with that.
The US Department of Agriculture recommends you intake 5000 ORAC units a day to enjoy the most health benefits. For the most part, most of us receive 25% or less of the recommended units.
What are free radicals? Glad you asked. Free radicals result as part of the metabolic process and are a result of toxins that enter our body in one form or another. These free radicals damage healthy cells and organs, which can cause disease, illness, and wrinkles on our largest organ the skin. Free radicals can lead to diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
Foods that have a high ORAC score have a high antioxidant level and antioxidants destroy free radicals. Another way to look at this – the higher the ORAC score the better the job it does in fighting cancer and heart disease.
It makes sense that you want to eat foods with the highest ORAC score. Fruits and vegetables have the highest ORAC score, especially dark ones. A handful of blueberries will giver you about 5000 ORAC while a piece of watermelon will only give you 50 ORAC.
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