Antioxidant Content of 3,139 Foods

In the most extensive study of its kind ever published, the amount of anti-aging anticancer antioxidants is measured across thousands of different foods.

August 22, 2011
GD Star Rating
loading...

FavoriteLoadingAdd to My Playlist
  • PaulB

    A couple of comments,

    First congratulations on the launch! I intend to be a daily reader. Your contribution to the health of people everywhere as well as the health of the planet, and benefit to animal welfare is immeasurable. Thank you.

    Second, I want to tie back this video with the video you did on Beliveau’s work on foods fighting cancer. Beliveau while acknowledging the importance of antioxidants cautions overemphasizing this as a health metric (proxy) (See pages 60 to 64 in Beliveau’s Foods to Fight Cancer). The specific example he gives in those pages is of isothiocyanates which have very limited antioxidant potential but which are also believed, based on current research, to have among the highest effects on stopping cancer. I realize that this video was primarly to compare the metrics of animal vs. plant food. And so, in such a comparison, antioxident given the wealth of data makes sense. A disclaimer, say 30 seconds or a cross reference to the work you did on capturing Beliveau’s research (I think Furhman gave onion a 50 ANDI score, I will have to check)would help.

    Paul

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Michael Greger M.D.

      Thank you for your kind words, and you’re absolutely right that the antioxidant power of plant foods represents only one of their many benefits. That’s indeed why I presented those two videos (part 1 and part 2) ranking vegetables by their ability to slow down cancer cell growth. Just because something is good for you doesn’t mean it necessarily has lots of antioxidants (like oyster mushrooms) and just because something has lots of antioxidant power doesn’t mean it’s necessarily good for you (uric acid and preservatives like BHT come to mind).

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  • corygold

    Dear Dr. Greger,
    I have seen most of the videos that you have released on your DVD sets and I was curious if you have come across any studies relating to bee pollen. I am a vegan and take my B12 supplement several times a week in addition to my daily spoonful of bee pollen. I know that some people argue that bee pollen isn’t necessarily vegan although I guess that is in the grey area. Have you come across any studies discussing the pros/cons of taking this so called “superfood”? Thank you so much for your time and for putting this site up.
    -CoryG

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  • Toxins

    I would like to know the same regarding bee pollen and the safety of glucasomine

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  • JohnSwallow

    Dear Dr. Greger: Is antioxidant power THE ONLY measure of antioxidants, so that the higher the ORAC value the better and variety of antioxidants not so critical?? I’m confused!!

    This is an incredible website that I promote to many!! Thank you so VERY MUCH!!

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • JohnSwallow

      I’m eager to find your answers on nutritionfacts.org! I’m intelligent, just not this web-savvy!! balangiga@aol.com Please help! Great website! Its too early to nominate you for a Nobel Prize in Medicene, but its CERTAINLY COMING! John S.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  • JohnSwallow

    balangiga@aol.com John Swallow 4th message, 1st with notification requested to my Email.!

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Michael Greger M.D.

      Sorry it took me so long to get to your comment. Please see my answer to PaulB above.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  • wickedchicken

    LOL that beer is the 5th greatest source of antioxidants in the American diet!!!! OMG.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  • sherry7701

    Dr. Gregor,

    You have given us all a wonderful gift with this website. Thank you for the fantastic resource to help us all navigate the complex world of nutrition science.

    Sherry

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  • http://www.facebook.com/tantruong777 Tan Truong

    Maybe I’m slow, but what’s the number one antioxidant food?

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  • Megann19

    I don’t think you’re slow…your question is actually a good one. I don’t know of any one food in particular as holding the #1 position for post digestion antioxidant potential, as far too many variables would preclude such a finding most likely. However, the following foods have ORAC (oxygen radical absorptive capacity) scores that are considered impressive: Cocoa, red beans, berries, and spices like dried clove, oregano, ginger, cinnamon and tumeric. However, scientists are continually discovering powerful disease fighting substances in all kinds of plant foods, which is a very powerful plus for those of us following a vegetarian and/or vegan lifestyle.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  • http://www.facebook.com/tantruong777 Tan Truong

    Megann19, Thanks for your response. You make good points. I just thought I’d get a #1 from this study, at least on some merits and until proven otherwise. Oh well, we’ll just have to keep eating the best whole foods regardless. :)

    This site keeps me on my toes and reminds me to keep increasing my consumption of fruits and vegetables. Never felt better.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...

  2. Blog from the Author

    Latest Nutrition DVD now available (proceeds to charity)

    The current batch of videos from volume 8 are set to run out soon, and so starting this week, and running up until August here on NutritionFacts.org, I’ll be rolling out the videos off my new Latest in Clinical Nutrition DVD, volume 9. The DVDs give folks the opportunity to sneak preview videos months ahead…

    Read More »