Most antioxidants are found in plant foods, which explain why including fruits, grains, vegetables and cereals in our diet is so beneficial.

What are antioxidants?

Antioxidants are a group of vitamins, minerals, natural colorants and other vegetal and enzyme compounds (bodily substances that participate in numerous metabolic processes), that can block the adverse effect of the so-called free radicals. The action of free radicals is linked both to cancer and to artery damage caused by “oxidized” cholesterol, which explains the direct association between these molecules and cardiovascular diseases.

Antioxidant Capacity

The ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) test is the best-known index of the antioxidant capacity in a food element.  It provides an accurate way to determine the capacity of a food or fruit to destroy or neutralize the free radicals in the body, and to combat illnesses.  This test assigns a score in the ORAC scale to the tested substance, reflecting its capacity and speed to perform as antioxidant.