An Introduction To ORAC Values:
The Antioxidant Values of Foods
Glow From The Inside Out with High ORAC Value Foods & Healthy Fats found in The Glow Box.
Antioxidants are used by your body to protect and heal cells, and promote a healthy glow. The antioxidant values of foods listed are expressed in ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) units, a unit of measurement for antioxidant content which was originally developed by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Simply speaking, the higher value implies a higher measured amount of in vitro antioxidant activity.
What Are Antioxidants?
Antioxidants help prevent or stop cell damage caused by oxidants. (Get it? Antioxidants.) “Oxidants are free radicals that you find in the environment, but they’re also produced naturally in your body,” says Diane McKay, Ph.D., an assistant professor and researcher at Tufts University’s Antioxidants Research Laboratory.
Top 5: High Antioxidant Spices
According to the same system of rating, these superfood spices contain a concentration of antioxidants that blow berries of the water (pay attention to the numbers!):
Clove: 314,446 ORAC score (22x higher than blueberries!)
Cinnamon: 267,537 ORAC score
Oregano: 159,277 ORAC score
Turmeric: 102,700 ORAC score
Cocoa: 80,933 ORAC score
Antioxidant Rich Foods Found In The Healthy Glow Box:
Baru Nuts by Barukas have more antioxidants than any other nut in the market! When tested, ORAC levels for Baru nuts resulted in 21,100 micromoles per 100 grams. To put this in perspective, before Baru nuts arrived, the nut with the most antioxidant content were pecans, with an ORAC level of 17,940.
Guayusa tea by RUNA Clean Energy; All herbal teas contain polyphenols or flavonoids, which are powerful antioxidants however Guayusa is found to contain 50% more anti-oxidants than green tea.
Need inspiration? See this chart below for foods you can incorporate into your routine to maintain a healthy glow – from the inside out.