You’ve seen this on labels and literature and in the trade and consumer media. For those who don’t quite cotton to high-tech science, we can help you get a clear grasp of how this score demonstrates the viability of the antioxidant when it’s in vivo (you).

ORAC was created by physician and chemist Dr. Guohua Cao to essentially quantify strength/viability of individual antioxidants all grouped together in a vast class. ORAC is an acronym for “Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity” which is determined by test tube analysis that shows its strength in its ability to neutralize (eliminate) oxygen free radicals. The higher the score, the stronger its ability; it is usually expressed as “XXXX (number) micromoles TE per gram.” Keep in mind that oxygen radicals are biochemicals formed inside the body through the process of oxidation – look no further than how quickly the flesh of a cut apple turns brown – that’s oxidation. Another easy example is rust on metal.

Obviously, the higher the score, the more free-radical fighting ability the antioxidant has. Consuming the typical “five-a-day” of fruits and vegetables would give a total ORAC score of 1750 units and it will not harm to double or treble that unit each day. In fact, experts suggest that consuming about 5,000 units a day will have a significant positive impact on plasma and tissue antioxidant levels.

The ORAC system gives consumers an easy benchmark for selection and shows a scientific standardization. The nutritional products manufacturing industry continues to become more and more standardized, which translates into reliable quality for the consumer; ORAC is the antioxidant standard.