ORAC

Unlock a secret training advantage with superior ORAC supplements!

What is ORAC?
It stands for the Oxygen Radical Absorption (or Absorbance) Capacity.

 

Why is ORAC important?

It is the measurement of the degree and time of a specific antioxidant to effectively neutralize, remove or inhibit oxygen free radicals.  Generally speaking the higher the ORAC number the more effective is the antioxidant activity of a particular compound.  Fruits and vegetables are among the most important sources of these antioxidants; however, not all dietary sources are created equal and even the same fruit or vegetable may present with a different ORAC value when testing for activity. 

 

Scientists have long believed that damage which occurs due to oxygen free radicals is behind most of the major illnesses that plague our society including cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.  The research indicates that a mixture of antioxidants appears to work synergistically and that no one single antioxidant is the single source for alleviating a particular disease or condition.  So it appears that we need to take a holistic approach to our body’s needs and fortify our diets with a wide range of foods and nutritional supplements that provide a healthy variety of antioxidants.

 

If you are only training to increase speed and power, but are neglecting the key components necessary to prevent damage to nerves, muscles and other body organs then you may be hindering your body’s ability to effectively repair the damage that occurs during and immediately following intense training and work out schedules.  The super nutrients that many fighters neglect are the essential antioxidants that eliminate the accumulation of free radicals.  Every time we train our muscles there is a chain reaction release of inflammatory chemicals and oxidants that wreak havoc on our bodies and destroy or damage muscles.  These chemicals can eventually become toxic to our vital body tissues if they aren’t brought quickly under control.

 

Studies being conducted at Tufts University in Boston by the Human Research Center on Aging indicate that consuming foods with a high ORAC value may slow the dreaded aging of both the body and the mind.  In other words if one can learn to balance the damage created by free radicals with a healthy supply of well timed and well placed antioxidants then one may be able to effectively control tissue damage.  And if that isn’t enough scientists believe that these high ORAC ingredients may be able to significantly slow the aging process, which will allow us to live longer, happier and healthier lives.

 

Speak to your body and hear it respond with amazing results. 

Scientists are just beginning to uncover the secrets of over 4,000 known flavonoids (antioxidants) that are found in foods which provide numerous biological activities.  These dynamic compounds send signal messages to the body and help to keep it functioning optimally.

 

Top-Scoring Fruits & VegetablesORAC units per 100 grams (about 3 ½ ounces)Fruits Vegetables
Prunes 5770
Kale 1770
Raisins 2830
Spinach 1260
Blueberries 2400
Brussels sprouts 980 Blackberries 2036
Alfalfa sprouts 930
Strawberries 1540
Broccoli flowers 890
Raspberries 1220
Beets 840
Plums 949
Red bell pepper 710
Oranges 750
Onion 450
Red grapes 739
Corn 400
Cherries 670
Eggplant 390
Kiwi fruit 602
Grapefruit, pink 483

 

Our goal at MMA Nutrition is to keep you informed on these latest nutritional discoveries.