Antioxidant Rich Foods and Oils

AntioxidantsThyme essential oil (Thymus vulgaris)...........................159,590
Antioxidants are phytochemicals, vitamins and otherOregano essential oil (Origanum
nutrients that prevent damage to our cells by freecompactum).............153,007
radicals thus preventing cancer and heart disease.Mountain Savory essential oil (Satureja
Scientific studies have found that antioxidants aremontana).......113,071
found in most fruits and vegetables and in culinary andCinnamon Bark essential oil (Cinnamamum
medicinal herbsverum)...103,448
A study in 2006 showed that the consumption ofRose of Sharon essential oil (Cistus
smaller quantities of a variety of phytochemicals mayladanifer)..............38,648
be more beneficial than the consumption of largerEucalyptus essential oil (Eucalyptus globulus)...............24,157
quantities of fewer phytochemicals.Orange essential oil (Citrus aurantium).........................18,898
Free RadicalsLemongrass essential oil (Cymbopogen
Free radicals form naturally and also by other externalflexuosus).......17,765
factors such as smoking, pesticides, pollution andHelichrysum essential oil (Helichrysum italicum)........17,420
radiation from the sun and electrical goods. FreeSpearmint essential oil (Mentha spicata)..............................5,398
radicals are unstable molecules which react withLavender essential oil (Lavendula angustifolia)...................3,669
essential molecules within our body, including DNA, fatRosemary essential oil (Rosmarinus
and proteins. Free radicals try to steal or give electronsofficinalis)..................3,309
to other molecules, thereby changing their chemicalJuniper essential oil (Juniperus osteosperma).....................2,517
structure.Roman Chamomile essential oil (Chamaemelum
When a free radical attacks an essential molecule innobile)...2,446
our body, it transforms the essential molecule into aSandalwood essential oil (Santalum Album).........................1,655
free radical, causing a chain reaction leading to theEssential oils have been used for thousands of years,
destruction of a cell. Antioxidants neutralize freebut it is only now that science has developed the
radicals by receiving or donating an electron withoutcapacity to study them on a cellular level. Studies using
becoming a free radicals themselves since the area high-resolution microscope that magnifies greater
stable in both forms and thus cell damage isthan 1,000 times and uses dark-field technology have
prevented. However, when the antioxidant neutralizesshown that good quality therapeutic essential oils
a free radical it becomes inactive and so we need toemitted light, vibration, and rapid motion. This pulsing
constantly supply our body with antioxidants. Themovement seems to indicate the presence of active
damage caused by free radicals could increase thecoenzymes, minerals, oxygenating molecules, and
risk of diseases such as cancer and hearth diseasesother compounds.
and aging related problems. Examples of antioxidantsIt is believed that the chemistry and kinetic energy of
include vitamin C, E and beta-carotene and otheressential oils has the ability to sustain the body's life
antioxidants such as lycopene, and lutein.force for good health.
Antioxidants Prevent Disease and CancerORAC Scores of Various Foods
The Chinese Cancer Prevention Study (1993 showedWolf berry (Fructus Lycii / Lycium / Gou Qi Zi).....25,300
that antioxidants beta-carotene, vitamin E and seleniumPrunes.................................................................................5,770
significantly reduced incidence of cancer. However, theBlueberries.......................................................................2,400
Alpha-Tocopherol / Beta-Carotene Cancer PreventionGarlic..................................................................................1,939
Study (1994) showed that beta-carotene increasedCranberries........................................................................1,750
lung cancer rates amongst male smokers.Strawberries......................................................................1,540
Antioxidants may reduce the risk of cardiovascularSpinach...............................................................................1,260
disease, although there is no hard proof for this at theYellow Squash...................................................................1,150
moment. Studies have shown however, that foodsAlfalfa sprouts.....................................................................930
naturally rich in antioxidants reduces the risk of heartBeets.....................................................................................840
disease.Oranges............................750
ORAC ScoreGrapes, Red.....................739
An Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity or ORACGrapefruit, pink..............495
score is the result of scientifically measuring theGrapes, White.................460
antioxidant levels of food and other substances. If aBeans, Kindey..................460
food has a high ORAC score, the food is high inPeas, Frozen....................375
antioxidants and thus eating the food would preventPotato..............................300
the damage caused by oxygen free radicals whichLeaf Lettuce....................265
may result in diseases such as heart disease andCantaloupe......................250
cancer.Banana.............................210
The ORAC score measures all antioxidants in foodsApple......................207
and was developed by Dr. Guohua Cao, a chemistTomato...................195
and physician. It is difficult to measure eachPear.........................110
antioxidants separately, but the ORAC score testWatermelon..........100
picks out the most important antioxidants.Cucumber...............60
Combinations of nutrients in foods are more beneficialSuper ORAC Scores (per 1 ounce serving) [based on
than consuming each nutrient individually. AlthoughkunitsSODeq (kilounits SuperOxide
many people aim to fulfil their daily intake of nutrientsDismutaseEquivalence) /Ounce based on studies in
by taking pills, the best way to receive the maximum2007 with data from Brunswick Laboratories,
benefits of antioxidants may be directly fromWareham, MA]
consuming fruits and vegetables rather thanNingXia Red Juice......... 363
supplements. Some foods have higher antioxidantVibe................................... 87
levels as measured by ORAC scores.Ageless Xtra..................... 85
It is recommended that "5-a-day" fruit and vegetableHimalayan Goji............... 68
servings will give you an ORAC score of 1,750 units.G3..................................... 43
Depending on what you choose, if you pick sevenXocai................................. 13
fruits with low ORAC scores you would achieve onlyXango................................ 9
1,300 ORAC score, or you could pick seven fruits withGoyin.................................. 8
high ORAC values and receive around 6,000 ORACViaViente........................... 2
score or higher.Frequent Sea.................. 1.2
Scientific studies have shown that eating foods with aTahitian Noni Juice........... 1
high ORAC score will raise the antioxidant levels in theSibu-Balance..................... 1
blood by around 10 to 25%. The ORAC scoreORAC Scores (per 1 ounce serving)
recommended by experts is around 5,000 per day toBerry Young Juice.............. 1,130*
have a strong impact on plasma and tissue antioxidantXango.................................... 550
levels. Eight to ten servings of fruits and vegetables orTahitian Noni Juice................. 500
dark greens will help achieve this ORAC score. MoreHimalayan Goji......................... 0
and foods and nutritional supplements are beginning toH-ORAC Scores (per 1 ounce serving)
include the ORAC score on their labels, so this shouldBerry Young Juice................5,499*
make it more convenient to find the foods andXanGo........................................NT
supplements that will give you a sufficient level ofTahitian Noni Juice.............1,284
antioxidants every day.Himalayan Goji....................1,218
The following is a listing of the ORAC score ofN-ORAC Scores (per 1 ounce serving)
essential oils and foods:Berry Young Juice ...............4,897*
ORAC Scores of Essential OilsXango..........................................
Clove essential oil (Syzigium aromaticum)..............10,786,875