List of Highest Antioxidant Foods in a
Single Serving
U.S. Department of Agriculture or USDA has tested a wide range of
foods on their Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) values.
ORAC is a way of determining the antioxidant content in different
foods, which is believed to have positive impacts on free-radical
theory of aging. The presence of antioxidants helps fight off free
radicals, which are responsible for aging, inflammation and
degenerative diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, heart
disease and so forth. A normal person needs around 1,500 ORAC values
of antioxidant intake in a day. Here are some highest antioxidant
foods per serving:
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Small Red Beans
A study has been carried out and the results were reported in the
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Surprisingly, small red
beans come out top as the food richest in antioxidants per serving,
more than those contained in wild blueberries. Small red beans are
also known as Mexican red beans. They are quite similar to red
kidney beans in terms of color and taste, but they are smaller in
size. Small red beans are usually used to make soups and Creale
dishes.
A half-cup serving of dried red beans provide you with 13,727 ORAC
values of antioxidants.
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Blueberries
Researchers have also found that blueberries come out top in
antioxidant activity when tested together with 40 other berries,
fruits and vegetables. That is why; blueberries have become one of
the most popular foods today due to their ability to get rid of
free radicals in the body, which further helps prevent cancer and
slow the aging process. The blue pigment in blueberries, known as anthocyanin, is a powerful flavonoid that contributes to their high
ORAC value.
There are basically two categories of blueberries consumed by human;
the wild blueberries and cultivated blueberries. The antioxidant
content in the wild blueberries is higher compared to the cultivated
variety. A full cup serving of wild blueberries contributes to
13,427 ORAC values of antioxidants while the same serving size of
cultivated blueberries gives you around 9,019 ORAC values.
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Red Kidney Beans
Antioxidant properties are also found largely in red kidney beans.
The bean is found to have great anti-aging attributes, which help
inhibit damage done by free radicals and at the same time, promote longevity. The
presence of antioxidants also helps rejuvenate your skin when it is
damaged by unhealthy foods and polluted environment.
Red kidney beans are packed with flavonoids called proanthocyanidins
or condensed tannins. Proanthocyanidins found in red kidney beans
are even higher than those of small red beans, blueberries and
cranberries. A half-cup serving of dried kidney beans contains
13,259 ORAC values of antioxidants.
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Pinto Beans
According to the report published in The American Journal of
Clinical Nutrition, pinto beans contain an abundance of polyphenols;
the powerful antioxidants that help protect you against different
types of cancers. The bean also contains a strong flavonoid known as
kaempferol. Laboratory studies have found kaempferol to be able to
treat inflammation. Antioxidants found in pinto beans are believed
to slow tumor growth and help healthy cells to survive better.
A half-cup serving of pinto beans is packed with 11,864 ORAC values
of antioxidants.
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Cranberries
Cranberries have been tested by several important scientific studies
and have been confirmed as one of the best food that helps prevent
cancer, slow the growth of foodborne pathogens and lower the risk of
urinary tract infections.
According to Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry published in
2001, cranberries were found to have more antioxidants phenols when
compared with 10 other commonly consumed fruits. These antioxidants
are vital to protect human against certain types of cancers and also
heart disease.
A cup serving of whole cranberries is loaded with 8,983 ORAC values
of antioxidants.
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