The term ORAC is short for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity. It refers to a method of measuring how much antioxidant is in a particular food. Various berries, fruits, vegetables and some spices have rated very high in terms of so-called ORAC value.
Many experts believe that foods with high antioxidant potency or high ORAC values have a positive impact on health and are a significant factor in the "free radical theory of aging".
Why Are Free Radicals Bad?
Free radicals are a byproduct of normal everyday cell function. As a cell creates energy, it also produces unstable oxygen molecules. These molecules which are called "free radicals". These free radicals have a "free" electron. This free electron makes the molecule very unstable. The free radical then bonds to other molecules in the human body. This bonding of free radicals to other molecules causes proteins and other important molecules to function inadequately.
Why Are Antioxidants Good?
Antioxidants are substances that either prevent or slow down the oxidation process caused by free radicals. It is believed that if your body has a sufficient amount of antioxidants available, it can minimize the oxidation damage caused by free radicals. So if you accept this idea you would want to increase your intake of foods with lots of antioxidants or foods with a high ORAC value.
