Acai Health Watch

You’ll often see acai berry products described as having an ORAC value.  ORAC (or Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) is a way to measure antioxidant capacity in fruits and vegetables.  As you may know, the acai berry is known to contain high levels of antioxidants and thus, a high ORAC value.

Marketers of acai berry and other products suggest that because of the high ORAC level present in the food or drink, it has disease fighting properties.  Chicago Tribune health expert Julie Deardorf reveals the truth behind the claims of some acai berry product marketers.

“It is true that plant-based foods contain phytochemicals with antioxidant properties, and people who eat large amounts have a lower risk of developing chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and cancer.

However, “just because a food or beverage scores well with the ORAC test doesn’t guarantee that it can cure, treat or even prevent disease, though it certainly warrants further investigation,” said Diane McKay, an antioxidant researcher at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University.”

Julie’s Health Club: Health claims: Antioxidant drinks.