Antioxidant, an index word related to maintenance and health in recent years, it seems that products lined up can be anti-oxidant. People who love beauty line up, waiting to join the conference of anti-oxidant benefits! From the liver, skin to cells, if antioxidant products can produce effects accurately, they can indeed achieve the goal of health and youthfulness.
What is the definition of antioxidant?
Oxidation, for us, generally refers to the action of oxygen in the body, which is a metabolic process, so the definition of anti-oxidation is not to prevent the action of oxygen (otherwise, human beings may not be able to survive).
After oxygen is metabolized, it will produce a highly active substance called "free radical", which is an unstable factor that can react with almost any substance. When we have bacteria and viruses invading, phagocytes will generate "superoxide anion free radicals" as defense weapons.
What are antioxidants?
Antioxidants are substances that are capable of counteracting cell damage by free radicals. They are unstable molecules that can oxidize stable compounds, you may imagine these bad guys can slowly damage our cells like faded paints and rusty pipes. Free radicals gain their stability by destroying healthy cells. Once the healthy cells are damaged, they will transform into free radicles and continue to react with other healthy cells producing more and more free radicals. This chain reaction will eventually accelerate aging, increase risk of cardiovascular disease, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis and various forms of tumors.
Frequent exposures to radiation, UV light, air pollution, smoking and stressful lifestyle will create free radicals in the body.
However, if our body has enough stable molecules such as antioxidants, they can work as scavengers to stabilize free radicals to stop the chain reactions. We should minimize our exposure to free radicals in the environment as much as possible in order to improve our body’s ability to fight with these bad substances.
Antioxidants such as beta –carotene, lutein, lycopene, polyphenols, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E can be found in many fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains.
What is ORAC?
Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) is a laboratory analysis that provides an overall measure of a food’s antioxidant activity. The test works by challenging a food product with an oxidizing agent, and then measuring the overall capacity of that food to resist oxidation. The higher the ORAC score, the greater is the food’s antioxidant capacity. Several such measures of “total” antioxidant activity have been developed. None are definitive, but ORAC has gained the widest acceptance in commercial circles.
ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) is a method of measuring antioxidant capacities. It is a lab test to quantify the “total antioxidant capacity” (TAC) of a food by testing a sample of the food along with certain molecules that generate free radical activity and certain other molecules that are vulnerable to oxidation. The stronger the protective powder, the higher the ORAC value will be. This method is to measure the overall antioxidant capacity of the food, rather than a single nutrient such as vitamin A or selenium.
Although there are still some limitations to prove exact antioxidant capacity, ORAC remains as one of the most reliable markers to show the TAC in different kind of foods.
| ORAC Value TE/100g | |
| Beetroot | 1767 |
| Blackberry | 5347 |
| Blackcurrant | 7960 |
| Blueberry | 6552 |
| Broccoli | 1362 |
| Cabbage | 508 |
| Carrot | 666 |
| Corn | 728 |
| Cranberry | 9584 |
| Tomato Juice | 578 |
| Kiwi | 882 |
| Almond | 4454 |
| Cashew | 443 |
| Walnut | 13541 |
| Oats | 1708 |
| Onion | 1034 |
| Pumpkin | 483 |
| Raspberry | 4882 |
| Strawberry | 3577 |
| Tomato | 546 |
| Watermelon | 142 |
*Source：Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) of Selected Foods – 2007 Prepared by: Nutrient Data Laboratory, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center (BHNRC) Agricultural Research Service (ARS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Pomegranate – the treasure to stay young!
Pomegranates are a beautiful fruit, with jewel-like red drops called arils. Its antioxidants, dietary fiber and vitamin C are higher than plenty of other fruits. Consuming or drinking pomegranate supports radian skin, better blood circulation and cardiovascular health.
Lycopene – regulate hormone balance
Lycopene is found in tomato, beetroot, carrot and watermelon. It can be more readily absorbed by the body once processed into tomato sauce and tomato juice. A recent study has confirmed that consume lycopene with soyeans can reduce the risk of breast cancer in menopausal women. The study also revealed that consumption of tomatoes had positive effects on hormonal balance and assist in weight management.
Grapeseed Extract – reduce free radical damage
Grapeseed extract is rich in oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC) with a strong anti-oxidizing effect. The antioxidant value is 20 times stronger than vitamin C and 50 times stronger than vitamin E. Oligomeric proanthocyanidins can reduce the skin damage caused by UV light, radiation, drugs, environmental free radicles.
Acai berry
It is an antioxidant powerhouse fruit native to the rainforest of Brazil. It has become famous around the world for its exceptionally strong antioxidant properties. It can help to reduce wrinkles, promote skin health and weight management.
This dark purple powder contains a rich amount of anthocyanins which is a powerful antioxidant. Its antioxidant capacity is higher than the average berries. The ORAC value of acai berry is 102700, ranking quite high compared to other fruits. Its ORAC value is 15 times higher than blueberries (6552).
SuperRed Antiox contains extremely high antioxidant effect
SuperRed Antiox improved to an upgraded formula with acai berry, chia seed, maca and non-dairy probiotic culture. This new formula contains higher antioxidant nutrients that made from all natural ORAC rich super foods. It is a proprietary blend of nutrient dense super berries, fruits and vegetables with a delicious natural berry taste. The naturally occurring red pigments and unique phytonutrients have been further enhanced by fortification with specific nutrients including lycopene and grape seed extract. SuperRed Antiox contains higher level of active antioxidants compared to the same amount of the individual fresh fruits. The powder made with dehydrated method has the least processing to preserve the natural ORAC value ensuring you to get the protective effect you need.
In conclusion, eat a variety of fruits and vegetables with bright, vivid and fun colors to achieve the most anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals. Try to choose foods with the least processing to preserve the natural ORAC value it embodies ensuring you will get the protective effect you will need. Thus, the key is “Wholesome”.
