Antioxidants are essential allies for our cells, shielding them from external threats like microbes and pollution, as well as internal free radicals that accelerate aging and cellular damage.
By incorporating antioxidant-rich foods—packed with vitamins, trace elements, peptides, and coenzyme Q10—we bolster our defenses and slow age-related decline. But how do you choose the most effective ones?
A reliable measure is the ORAC index, which gauges a food's capacity to neutralize free radicals: the higher, the better. For context, cucumber scores 50, lettuce 100, bananas and carrots 200, onions 400, oranges 750, broccoli 900, blueberries 2,400, and prunes top the list at 5,770. Dr. Alexandra Dalu* recommends a diverse intake for maximum benefits.
Explore a full list of ORAC ratings here, and note that darker-colored foods generally pack more antioxidants.
The 100 Misconceptions That Prevent You from Feeling Well, Alexandra Dalu, Leducs Editions.
Further reading: Antioxidants That Heal, Alessandra Moro Buronzo, Editions de la Martinière.
