USDA Database for the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) of Selected Foods, Release 2
The USDA recently removed its ORAC database listing values of antioxidant activity for various foods in test tube studies (in vitro). The reason given is that ORAC values don't necessarily translate directly into antioxidant activity in live humans (in vivo).
However, ORAC values do provide an indication of the antioxidant and polyphenol levels in the foods. Polyphenols have proven health benefits beyond their antioxidant activity (i.e. the green tea polyphenol EGCg stimulates metabolism). They also provide an indication of product freshness and ability to maintain freshness.
In the interest of maintaining access to this data, I am providing a link to the database here. If it becomes inactive in the future, please contact me to send you a copy.
USDA Database for the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) of Selected Foods, Release 2:
http://www.orac-info-portal.de/download/ORAC_R2.pdf
Espanol:
http://portalantioxidantes.com/orac-base-de-datos-actividad-antioxidante-y-contenido-de-polifenoles-totales-en-frutas/
For articles on this issue, please see:
http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=251105
http://www.ars.usda.gov/SP2UserFiles/Place/12354500/Articles/AICR07_ORAC.pdf
http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Industry/ORAC-has-ongoing-value-says-expert-as-USDA-removes-online-database
