Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) test

[willy]

High guys...... I have been reading a little on HIV sites and came accross this today.  It is useful to those of us with HCV.  It is an index for ranking the value of fruits a veggies in their anti-oxident value....if I understand it correctly.  I'm sure that you can google the index and find out more.- Willy


http://www.aidsmeds.com/Fusetalk/messageview.cfm?catid=10&threadid=17533

Your best bet is fruits and vegetables. In order of significance (using the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capactiry (ORAC) test):

(ORAC Units listed by each fruit/vegatable)

1) Blueberries 2400
2) Blackberries 2036
3) Kale 1770
4) Strawberries 1540
5) Spinach 1260
6) Raspberries 1220
7) Brussel Sprouts 980
Plums 949
9) Alfalfa Sprouts 930
10) Brocoli Florets 890
11) Beets 840
12) Oranges 750
13) Red Grapes 739
14) Red Bell Pepper 710
15) Cherries 670
16) Kiwi 610
17) Pink Grapefruit 495
18) White Grapes 460
19) Onion 450
20) Corn 400

It is recommended that you get 3000 to 5000 ORAC units on a daily basis. The numbers listed above is based on 100g or 3.5 oz.

http://www.yourlifesource.com/barleylife-orac.htm

this source claims that raisins (beware, high in iron-Willy), prunes, dark chocolate, and their product have higher ratings than anything on the above list in anti-oxidents.

[Helen]

Thanks Willy,
Now I'll understand better how much I need to eat, instead of just figuring, an apple and an orange, or what ever the case may be, but I wonder if cooking any of this stuff makes a difference, I eat alot of red and yellow peppers during the warmer months but I do cook them, I wonder if it makes a difference.I need to look into to this.