January 2008 Archives
Researchers have discovered that by measuring various fruits and vegetables
for their ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity), they could determine the antioxidant power of specific foods.
The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) value of foods is a method of measuring antioxidant capacities of different foods. The higher the ORAC Value, the more antioxidants a food has. So far they have measured the antioxidant capacities of 277 selected foods for their antioxidant power.
Here are some of the top performers:
Fruits
1. Prunes
2. Raisins
3. Blueberries
4. Blackberries
5. Strawberries
6. Raspberries
7. Plums
8. Oranges
9. Red grapes
10. Cherries
Vegetables
1. Kale
2. Spinach
3. Brussels sprouts
4. Alfalfa sprouts
5. Broccoli flowers
6. Beets
7. Red bell peppers
8. Onions
9. Russet potato
10. Eggplant
Read more:
United States Department of Agriculture - Human Nutrition Research Center
Wikipedia
The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) value of foods is a method of measuring antioxidant capacities of different foods. The higher the ORAC Value, the more antioxidants a food has. So far they have measured the antioxidant capacities of 277 selected foods for their antioxidant power.
Antioxidants are natural substances found in plants, which
are known to aid in the prevention of heart disease, cancer and stroke. In addition to boosting the immune system,
these valuable compounds are also known to slow the effects of aging by
improving things such as memory, balance, coordination and motor skills.
A wide variety of foods have been tested using this
methodology, with certain berries and legumes rated very highly here is a list
of some of the top performers. Correlation between the high antioxidant
capacity of fruits and vegetables, and the positive impact of diets high in
fruits and vegetables, is believed to play an important role in the
Free-radical theory of aging.
Here are some of the top performers:
Fruits
1. Prunes
2. Raisins
3. Blueberries
4. Blackberries
5. Strawberries
6. Raspberries
7. Plums
8. Oranges
9. Red grapes
10. Cherries
Vegetables
1. Kale
2. Spinach
3. Brussels sprouts
4. Alfalfa sprouts
5. Broccoli flowers
6. Beets
7. Red bell peppers
8. Onions
9. Russet potato
10. Eggplant
Read more:
United States Department of Agriculture - Human Nutrition Research Center
Wikipedia
We have mentioned several times over the last few months our concerns regarding the rising cost of food. GroceryGuide.com not only tracks the grocery prices at over 30,000 stores across the U.S. but track food prices at the wholesale and producer levels. Our research tells us that something significant is developing. Consumers are starting to notice and we will see more purposeful thought in grocery purchases and meal planning as one of the effects.
In this article found in the New York Times they also speak of the scope of this world wide problem. Supplying the nutritional needs of the world and this nation is getting harder.
"In the last few years, world demand for crops and meat has been rising sharply. It remains an open question how and when the supply will catch up. For the foreseeable future, that probably means higher prices at the grocery store and fatter paychecks for farmers of major crops like corn, wheat and soybeans."
Read more:
In this article found in the New York Times they also speak of the scope of this world wide problem. Supplying the nutritional needs of the world and this nation is getting harder.
"In the last few years, world demand for crops and meat has been rising sharply. It remains an open question how and when the supply will catch up. For the foreseeable future, that probably means higher prices at the grocery store and fatter paychecks for farmers of major crops like corn, wheat and soybeans."
Read more:
A New, Global Oil Quandary: Costly Fuel Means Costly Calories - The New York Times
Almost a third of the U.S. grain crop next year may be diverted from
the family dinner table to the family car as fuel, putting upward
pressure on food prices.
Recently corn rose to the highest prices seen in over 12 years on speculation that global demand for feed and biofuel will exceed production for the seventh time in the past eight years. World inventories of corn have fallen to the lowest since 1984 according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Grain prices make up about 40 percent of the cost of poultry alone. Wheat prices that hit record highs in recent weeks and rapidly rising prices of other grains have left businesses from bakeries to breweries scrambling to find ingredients at prices they can afford.
So what does all of this mean to the U.S. Consumer? Higher food prices now with projections for higher prices over the next 12 months and beyond. Retail milk prices are up 30% over the same period last year, and eggs were up a whopping 40% compared with the same period. Meat, bread, cereals and beer are being hit. Even non-grain related products are seeing increases; with iceberg lettuce up 17%, over year ago levels. Consumers will continue to see larger grocery bills as the cost of energy continues to drive pricing in so many food industry channels.
According to GroceryGuide.com, "consumers may start to look at their food purchases as they do in their heating and transportation choices." While many families have chosen to downsize the family automobile in order to cut costs so now many may be looking for money saving alternatives in their grocery shopping. Paying attention to sales, using coupons, making a shopping list and planning meals around "what's on sale" may become as fashionable driving a hybrid fuel vehicle.
Read more:
The Associated Press
Bloomberg
GroceryGuide - The source for consumers
USDA
Recently corn rose to the highest prices seen in over 12 years on speculation that global demand for feed and biofuel will exceed production for the seventh time in the past eight years. World inventories of corn have fallen to the lowest since 1984 according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Grain prices make up about 40 percent of the cost of poultry alone. Wheat prices that hit record highs in recent weeks and rapidly rising prices of other grains have left businesses from bakeries to breweries scrambling to find ingredients at prices they can afford.
So what does all of this mean to the U.S. Consumer? Higher food prices now with projections for higher prices over the next 12 months and beyond. Retail milk prices are up 30% over the same period last year, and eggs were up a whopping 40% compared with the same period. Meat, bread, cereals and beer are being hit. Even non-grain related products are seeing increases; with iceberg lettuce up 17%, over year ago levels. Consumers will continue to see larger grocery bills as the cost of energy continues to drive pricing in so many food industry channels.
According to GroceryGuide.com, "consumers may start to look at their food purchases as they do in their heating and transportation choices." While many families have chosen to downsize the family automobile in order to cut costs so now many may be looking for money saving alternatives in their grocery shopping. Paying attention to sales, using coupons, making a shopping list and planning meals around "what's on sale" may become as fashionable driving a hybrid fuel vehicle.
Read more:
The Associated Press
Bloomberg
GroceryGuide - The source for consumers
USDA
