What are antioxidants?

In simple terms, antioxidants contribute to good health by assisting to prevent chemical damage to your body cells.

Where can I find antioxidants?

Antioxidants can be found in vitamins, minerals, enzymes and phytonutrients (plant nutrients found in fruit and veg). Natural antioxidants are the best choice and are readily available from fruit, vegetables and other plants.

However, not only do many of us fail to consume the recommended 5-9 servings of fruit and vegetables per day; fruit and vegetables are rarely made available to us in their peak ripeness when their antioxidant concentration is at its highest.

The antioxidant value varies between different foods, and is highly dependent on colour. For example, the potency concentration in fruit and vegetables is higher within those of a deeper and more varied colour… acai berries, cranberries, plums, pomegranates, prunes, purple grapes, red apples, strawberries, beetroots, broccoli, carrots and tomatoes are just some of the richer coloured fruits and vegies that contain higher levels of antioxidants that the paler coloured varieties.

How is antioxidant value measured?

Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC).
The greater the ORAC value, the greater the antioxidant value.

To maintain a healthy body, the recommended daily dosage of antioxidants is between 3,000 to 5,000 ORAC units per day.

1/2 cup of broccoli (approx. 50 g / 1.75 oz) = 450 ORAC score
Medium sized banana = 900 ORAC score

Current studies have identified that the acai berry (in its freeze-dried state) demands a higher ORAC score than any other known fruit or vegetable, scoring 15 + times greater than blueberries and 20 + times greater than raspberries.

What is the acai berry?

Stay tuned…