Antioxidants are chemicals that fight free radicals. They are the wonderful chemicals that keep us looking and feeling young! And may help in the treatment and prevention of many ailments. They should be available in many fruits and vegetables! But to what degree can be effected by how the plant is grown. Let me explain....
When an organic plant is attacked, it raises its defences. These same compounds that the plant uses to defend itself, have been proven to help protect us too. So if a plant has been protected by sprays, its doesn't need to launch these same defences and so has less antioxidants. read more here http://www.
When an organic plant is attacked, it raises its defences. These same compounds that the plant uses to defend itself, have been proven to help protect us too. So if a plant has been protected by sprays, its doesn't need to launch these same defences and so has less antioxidants. read more here http://www.
The measure of antioxidants is called the Oxygen radical Absorption capacity (ORAC)
This is a measure of the antioxidant ability of foods to protect against radical or cellular damage caused by free radicals.
Below is lists of fruit and vegetables that are high in antioxidants.
ORAC Values of fruit and vegetables : the higher the better
Fruits per 100g:
- Prunes 5570
- Raisins 2830
- Blueberries 2400
- Blackberries 2036
- Strawberries 1540
- Raspberries 1220
- Plums 949
- Oranges 750
- Red grapes 739
- Cherries 670
- Kiwifruit 602
- Grapefruit 483
Vegetables per 100g
- Kale 11770
- Spinach 11260
- Brussel spouts 1980
- Alfalfa sprouts 1930
- Broccoli flowers 1890
- Beets 1840
- Red bell pepper 1710
- Onion 1450
- Corn 1400
- Eggplant 1390
as per Tufts University of Boston test tube analysis, measuring the total antioxidant power of foods.
