Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity

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ORAC denotes the capacity of antioxidants in our food to absorb oxygen radicals.

The process of oxidation in the human body produces unstable chemicals called free radicals, which damage cell membranes and other structures. They could be responsible for various diseases from cancer to Alzheimer's to obesity to anxiety to aging.

Read more here: Antioxidants _Better Health Channel.pdf.

They absorb these free radicals produced in the human body, saving us from their bad effect. They also save our food and drinks from getting spoiled soon.

Through food and drinks. Spices and herbs have the highest ORAC value, denoting antioxidants’ capacity to absorb the oxygen radicals. Fruits and vegetables are also sources for good ORAC value. Meat items have almost negligible ORAC values.

Read more here: NutritionJournal Antioxidant content.

According to USDA recommendation, anything from 3000 to 5000 ORAC units is good for daily consumption. Excess ORAC units may get secreted through our bodily fluids and won’t harm us. 

Super Drinks aims to provide a minimum of 3500 ORAC units daily through a shot or a single drink. 

Read more from kencko blog _ All about ORAC values in fruits and veggies.pdf.

Amla has the second highest ORAC value after Clove. Additionally, Amla is considered a superfood in Indian ayurveda, used since time immemorial. 

Please see its benefits here - 12 Health Benefits of Amla.pdf.

Some food vendors misrepresented or misused ORAC values of various food items or ingredients leading to the USDA (US Department of Agriculture) removing the ORAC chart from their website.  

The benefits of antioxidants had been tested mostly in vitro (test tubes) or on animals, not in vivo (on humans) or by clinical trials. 

Recently, however, one such study for flavonoids has been done for 120K persons, see here - flavonoidsAsantioxidants.pdf. 

And with coffee drinking, see here -

CoffeeVsAntioxidants_Invivo.pdf.

But the efficacy of antioxidants or their usage has never been in doubt.  

Some links below highlight ongoing research about antioxidants:

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition article, Am J Clin Nutr 2006;84:95–135.

Printed in USA. © 2006 Content of redox-active compounds (ie, antioxidants) in foods consumed in the United States,  Antioxidants4TAPS. 2006 Jul.pdf

Obesity vs antioxidants, Healthcare 2024, 12,416

AntioxidantsVsObesity_healthcare-12-00416.pdf

Oxidative stress and anxiety, Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity 2:2, 63-67;

April/May/June 2009; ©2009 Landes Bioscience,  AnxietyVsOxygenRadicals.pdf