Antioxidant Food Chart

Q: Which spice has the highest ORAC value?

Cloves rank the highest among all spices , with an ORAC value of 290,283 per 100 g, making them one of the most powerful natural antioxidants.

Q: Are dried spices higher in antioxidants than fresh herbs?

Yes. Dried spices generally have more concentrated antioxidants , giving them higher ORAC values compared to most fresh herbs.

Q: Do antioxidant spices offer health benefits?

Spices high in antioxidants may help reduce inflammation, support immunity , protect cells from oxidative stress, and promote healthy aging .

Looking for healthy food options that help you stay young and disease-free? Medindia’s nutritional utility guides you in choosing food items rich in antioxidant nutrients.

Why are antioxidants so important for good health?

Antioxidants neutralize harmful free radicals generated in the body as a result of breakdown of food or environmental exposure to tobacco smoke, pollution and UV radiation from the sun among others. If left unchecked, free radicals trigger a chain reaction that can damage your healthy cells causing heart disease, cancer and many other diseases. Known as free radical scavengers antioxidants boost your immune system, continuously monitor millions and millions of cells in your body and repair the defective cells.

How do you measure antioxidant capacity in the food items?

Antioxidant value of each food item is measured in ORAC - Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, which is expressed in micromoles of Trolox Equivalents per 100 gram sample. Many fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants with varying ORAC values. Greater the ORAC value, higher the health benefits. Antioxidant Food Chart compares the antioxidant levels in a comprehensive range of foods available worldwide.

Classifications of Antioxidant-Rich Foods and Supplement

Baby Foods

Feeding a baby with nutritious diet is a challenging task. Medindia helps you choose healthy baby foods rich in antioxidant content.

Berries and Berry Products

Do you know how nutritious these berries are? Medindia provides you with a list of berries and berry products along with their ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) values.

Beverages

Time for a drink? Pause for a moment and look at our antioxidant food chart and know it's the ORAC value of each drink before you take a sip.

Cereals

Do you know that cereals form the staple food in most parts of world? Click here to know which cereal has the highest antioxidant capacity and also know the ORAC (Oxygen radical Absorbance Capacity) values of various other cereals.

Chocolates

Apart from their mouth-watering taste, chocolates have health benefits too. How many of you know that chocolates bust your bad mood and boost your memory? Click here to check if you're eating the right kind of chocolate high in antioxidant nutrients.

Dairy and Dairy Products

Dairy and dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt are important in your daily diet to keep your bone healthy. Medindia helps you gain knowledge about the antioxidant capacity of each item and enables you choose nutritious food.

Eggs

How many of you are aware that egg contains fat in the correct proportion? Egg is the super food rich in protein and essential amino acids. When consumed in limited amounts egg is good for health. Learn more about antioxidant values of egg in different egg preparations.

Fats and Oils

Do you know that fats and oils are not unhealthy and have lots of health benefits? Fats act as an insulator and protect your body organs. Vegetable oils like olive oil and coconut oil are not only used for cooking but also used for skin and hair care. Check Medindia's antioxidant food chart and choose antioxidant rich fats and oils for better health.

Fruits and Fruit Juices

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away!" Not only the apple, each and every fruit has its own health advantages. Fruits and fruit juices are nutritious as well as delicious with all the essential nutrients and antioxidants to keep you healthy. Medindia lists the fruits and fruit juices along with their ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) values.

Medicinal Herbs and Plants

The use of medicinal herbs and plants in cooking enhances food flavor and nutrition. Check the list for antioxidant values in some Medicinal herbs and plants.

Legumes

Do you know that legumes are referred to as "Poor person's meat"? Legumes are nutritious and are a rich source of protein and antioxidants. Learn which legume contains more ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) value and decide what to add in your diet.

Miscellaneous Food Items

Besides fruits and vegetables, other ingredients like vinegar and sauces also contain considerable amount of antioxidants. Check out the antioxidant content in miscellaneous food items.

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are rich in calories and they are nutritious containing necessary antioxidants. Check the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) values of almond, pistachio, cashew, hazelnut, pecan, walnut among others.

Poultry and Poultry Products

The word 'Poultry' immediately brings chicken to the mind. The antioxidant content of chicken varies according to the brand and cooking method. Medindia offers you the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) values of poultry items.

Snacks

Want to add pep to your everyday snack time? Everyone enjoys snacking on chips and popcorn. It is hard to believe but chips and popcorn are nutritious when taken in moderation. Medindia lists the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) values of many snacks.

Spices and Herbs

Do you know which food item has the highest ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) value? If your answer is SPICES, then you are right. Spices contain abundant antioxidants that protect you against the oxidative damage caused by free radicals.

Vegetables

Vegetables play a significant role in most of your daily diet. They are rich in many nutrients like vitamins, folate, potassium and fiber. Vegetables have surplus antioxidant content, hence help detoxify the harmful substances in your body and keep you healthy.

Developed by Medindia Content Team | Calculator reviewed by The Medindia Medical Review Team Last Updated on Oct 20, 2021

FAQs: Antioxidant Values of Spices & Herbs

1. Which spice has the highest ORAC value?

Cloves rank the highest among all spices, with an ORAC value of 290,283 per 100 g, making them one of the most powerful natural antioxidants.

2. Which nut has the highest antioxidant value?

Pecans top the chart with an ORAC value of 17,940, making them one of the most antioxidant-rich foods.

3. What are ORAC values?

ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) measures a food's ability to neutralize free radicals. Higher values indicate stronger antioxidant potential.

4. What does ORAC value mean in spices?

ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) measures how effectively a spice can neutralize free radicals. Higher ORAC values indicate stronger antioxidant activity.

5. Are dried spices higher in antioxidants than fresh herbs?

Yes. Dried spices generally have more concentrated antioxidants, giving them higher ORAC values compared to most fresh herbs.

6. Are nuts healthy despite being high in calories?

Yes. Nuts are calorie-dense but rich in healthy fats, fiber, minerals, and antioxidants that support heart and metabolic health.

7. Do roasted nuts have fewer antioxidants?

Heavily roasted nuts may lose some antioxidants. Eating nuts raw or lightly toasted preserves more nutrients.

8. How can I include antioxidant-rich spices in my diet?

Add turmeric to curries, cinnamon to drinks and cereals, oregano and thyme to marinades, and rosemary to roasted vegetables for easy antioxidant boosts.