Antioxidants.
They’re the winner when it comes to trending buzzwords in the wellness industry – and with good reason.
Antioxidants are the body’s frontline defenders against oxidative stress, inflammation, and the wear and tear the body experiences on a cellular level every single day.
But with so many superfoods claiming a spot on the highest tier of antioxidant foods, how do they actually compare?
This is where the ORAC scale comes in.
The ORAC scale is the great equalizer of fruits and vegetables, and when you look closely, you can see that there’s one little fruit that easily soars above the rest.
Yes, we’re talking about sea buckthorn.
The tiny, bright orange berry that is the force behind every Sibu product isn’t just packed with nutrients – it’s also one of the most potent sources of antioxidants ever found.
It’s time to break down the ORAC scale, see how the superfoods measure up, and see why sea buckthorn deserves the gold medal.
What Is the ORAC Scale?
The ORAC scale is an acronym for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity.
It sounds complex, but it’s simply a scientific process to measure how effective a specific food is at neutralizing free radicals.
When a food has a high capacity for neutralizing free radicals and preventing oxidative stress, we call it an antioxidant.
This is important because oxidative stress is linked to inflammation, chronic disease, and accelerated aging on just about every level.
At one point, the USDA published current ORAC scale tables on its website, but this was discontinued in 2012 – the reason being that the FDA felt that antioxidant capacity alone didn’t carry enough weight in determining if a food was healthy and beneficial to the human body.
While ORAC value is just one snippet of a food’s value for human health, it’s an incredibly important one.
This is why many independent labs and researchers continue to use the ORAC scale as a reliable way of comparing the antioxidant capacity of different foods.
Here are a few key points to keep in mind about the ORAC scale.
• ORAC tests measure a food's antioxidant capacity in a controlled lab environment, not in human subjects
• Plant foods consistently score the highest, which is why ORAC is mostly associated with fruits and vegetables (although the ORAC score of any food can be measured)
• A food’s ORAC score isn’t static – it can be affected by growing conditions, the freshness at the time of consumption, and any processing it may go through
Still, even with some natural variation, the ORAC scale is overall a reliable tool to identify the antioxidant giants.
And, our favorite, sea buckthorn, is one of them.
Sea Buckthorn: The Highest ORAC Superfruit on the List
At Sibu, we’re not shy when it comes to boasting about the nutrient-density of sea buckthorn. Our berries, which are of the purest and highest quality, are already recognized for containing:
• More than 190 bioactive compounds
• A rare range of omega fatty acids, including 3, 6, 9, and hard-to-find omega-7
• Nutrient density with vitamins A, C, E, and K, along with B-complex vitamins
• High amounts of carotenoids, flavonoids, and polyphenols
These are facts, but with a new superfood constantly trending, it can be difficult to identify how much sea buckthorn really stands out from the crowd.
The ORAC score is a concrete measurement that makes it easy.
Most berries place high on the ORAC scale, coming in with scores typically ranging from about 3,000 to 10,000 (give or take).
Sea buckthorn, on average (remembering that ORAC values can vary based on growing conditions), comes in somewhere between 360,000 and 895,000.
Impressive, no?
Sea buckthorn has a high concentration of carotenoids, including beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, and lycopene, which is a main contributor to its high ORAC Value.
Sibu sea buckthorn typically outperforms other sea buckthorn berries in ORAC testing because our berries are wild-grown, high in the Himalaya mountains, where the harsh growing conditions contribute to a superior berry with the highest antioxidant content.
High-ORAC Fruits and Vegetables
Obviously, sea buckthorn isn’t alone in the tier of high ORAC value foods. It does have company, although none quite reach the sea berry’s antioxidant load.
Here’s a look at some of the other top-performing, high-ORAC foods, keeping in mind that individual values may vary.
Acai Berry: ORAC Value 102,000 per 100g
One of the superfruit trends that truly deserves its status, the acai berry is amazing.
Not quite as amazing as sea buckthorn, but still amazing.
Acai berries are loaded with anthocyanins and other phytonutrients that make them one of the most potent foods for protecting against chronic illness, protecting cognitive health, and lowering cholesterol.
Acai berries are typically sold dry and are great add-ins for smoothies, oatmeal, salads, and more.
Pomegranate: ORAC Value 10,500 per 100g
Pomegranates are one of the highest ORAC values on this list (outside of sea buckthorn).
The pomegranate is rich in polyphenols and excellent for providing cardiovascular support.
So, why aren’t more people scooping up pomegranates at the grocery store?
While delicious, they are often only available seasonally in many areas, plus, they’re a bit time-consuming – the seeds need to be scooped out from the fruit, and it can be a bit messy (but worth it!).
Blueberries: ORAC Value 9,000 per 100g
Blueberries are viewed as the golden child among high-antioxidant fruits, and we do need to give them some credit here.
They have a higher than average ORAC value, and are loaded with anthocyanins that are key for supporting heart health, slowing cognitive decline, and promoting healthy aging.
Cranberries: ORAC Value 9,000 per 100g
Cranberries have high levels of antioxidants like anthocyanins and flavonoids that work hard to neutralize free radicals.
Cranberries are well-known for their role in urinary tract health support, but they shouldn’t be overlooked as a powerful antioxidant-rich food for regular consumption.
Artichokes: ORAC Value 9,000 per 100g
We don’t want to neglect adding a few high-ORAC veggies to the list, and artichokes are one of the best.
To get the highest ORAC value from artichokes, make sure to enjoy them cooked – boiled, steamed, whatever you like. The ORAC value is a bit lower in raw artichoke than in cooked.
Blackberries: ORAC Value 7,000 per 100g
Next on the list are blackberries. These luscious, purple jewels are rich in polyphenols and vitamin C – two antioxidants that help to place them high on the list.
Raspberries: ORAC Value 6,000 per 100g
Raspberries are one of the most versatile high-antioxidant berries on the list.
Sprinkle them on yogurt, in a salad, or add them as a sweet touch to a savory sauce or jam, and they’re pure perfection.
Raspberries are high in anthocyanins and vitamin C, both of which strongly support cellular repair and rejuvenation.
Strawberries: ORAC Value 5,900 per 100g
Strawberries are underrated when it comes to popular antioxidant-rich foods.
Yes, they’re a favorite berry of many, but they’re often not the first we reach for when we want to increase the antioxidant load of our diets.
But, strawberries are a sweet, delicious source of vitamin C and flavonoids – especially during the summer when they are in season and at the peak of ripeness.
Garlic: ORAC Value 5,700 per 100g
Garlic is a superfood of the ages. It’s great for supporting a strong immune system, fighting inflammation, and keeping vampires away.
Garlic is one of the easiest high-ORAC foods to include in your diet (unless you absolutely hate it). Garlic can be added to practically any savory dish with little effort.
In all fairness, while garlic is high on the ORAC scale, it’s difficult to consume garlic in the same quantity that you consume berries or other superfoods.
Goji Berries: ORAC Value 3,300 per 100g
Goji berries enjoyed their status as the superfruit of the moment for a period of time, even though they don’t have the highest ORAC value on the list. Goji berries are nutrient-dense, great for immune health, and offer protection of eye health – especially important as we age.
Sprinkle these little gems on yogurt and salads, add them to smoothies, or just eat them plain.
Where Sea Buckthorn Stands Among the Superfoods
When you take all of the high-ORAC value foods together, place them in descending order, and zoom out, there is a clear hierarchy that emerges.
Sea buckthorn stands far above the rest at the top of the list with ORAC values ranging from 360,000 and 895,000.
But it isn’t just numbers that we’re talking about.
Almost every superfood that has ever made headlines earned its reputation due to its high levels of one or maybe two types of antioxidants.
For example, we have blueberries that are recognized for being so abundant in anthocyanins. Each superfood brings something valuable to the plate, but they each also offer a fairly narrow antioxidant profile.
This isn’t to say they aren’t valuable.
High ORAC foods are incredibly important to a healthy diet, regardless of the range of antioxidants they contain.
It’s just that you need to incorporate a wide variety of them to benefit from the full spectrum of what they offer.
Sea buckthorn isn’t like the others.
Its value isn’t just in the high ORAC scale number, but also in how many different types of antioxidants it delivers in just one punch. Its ORAC value is a representation of its multifaceted potency.
Sea buckthorn offers loads of carotenoids, flavonoids, tocopherols, phenolic acids, and rare fatty acids that all work together in perfect synergy to neutralize free radicals across different pathways.
This is why sea buckthorn outranks even the highest tier of antioxidant-rich foods.
To put it simply, sea buckthorn isn’t a one-trick pony – it supports all aspects of health and wellness. This includes skin health, cardiovascular health, metabolic health, immune health, and cellular repair, and it does all of this at once.
Why High-ORAC Foods Are Key to Health and Vitality
If fruits and vegetables are good for you in general, why does ORAC value matter? Shouldn’t we be considering the full scope of nutrient value, and not looking just at a number that can be inconsistent and represents only one facet of nutritional value?
Yes, absolutely.
But antioxidants aren’t just a trendy buzzword. They’re essential for wellness in several key ways.
• Neutralize free radicals and prevent oxidative stress
• Support cellular repair throughout the entire body
• Reduce chronic inflammation, which is a key driver in almost every single one of today’s chronic illnesses
• Support healthy immune function
• Protect cardiovascular health
• Protect cognitive health
• Prevent accelerated or premature aging
Even if you nourish your body daily with a beautifully healthy diet, your body is still defending itself against oxidative stress from sources like:
• Daily stress
• Lack of sleep
• Environmental toxins
• Pollution
• UV exposure
Plus, they’re a necessary defense against the highly processed, inflammatory nature of the standard American diet.
High ORAC foods matter because they work in your body to help it stay resilient in a world that is constantly throwing oxidative stress its way.
Every breath taken is exposure to potential toxins and pollution. Every workout puts stress on your body, and every time you enjoy the sun, you’re exposed to UV rays.
Breathing, exercise, and sunshine are healthy (and necessary), but they all have the potential to cause oxidative stress, which is why we need the foods that neutralize free radicals.
Why Sibu Sea Buckthorn Has Earned a Spot in Your Daily Routine
Sea buckthorn is so rich in antioxidants that even small amounts through a daily supplement can have a significant impact on overall health.
Sibu’s sea buckthorn products, especially our Sibu Pure, deliver the benefits of sea buckthorn in the most potent, pure, and bioavailable form. One dose daily is the easiest way to benefit from sea buckthorn in your wellness routine.
Here are just a few of the benefits our sea buckthorn supplements offer:
• Radiant skin with a healthy glow
• Improved skin texture and elasticity
• Improved hydration, both inside and out
• Hormonal balance – great for times of hormonal transitions, including menopause
• Protective cardiovascular benefits
• Digestive wellness
• Mucous membrane support
• Immune support
• Healthy aging and longevity
Sibu’s sea buckthorn products nourish the body with a complex spectrum of antioxidants, omega fatty acids, and more than 190 bioactive compounds. When you fuel your body with quality sea buckthorn, all systems function better – and you can both see and feel it.
We’ve built Sibu around a foundation of integrity. This begins with the soil our berries are grown in and follows all the way through to when our products reach your hands. We never dilute, add fillers, or take shortcuts when it comes to your health.
Sibu’s sea buckthorn is harvested from the high-altitude regions of the Himalaya Mountains, which is the perfect ecosystem for growing high-potency sea buckthorn berries. The environment is harsh, and the soil is nutrient-dense, which increases the antioxidant load of each berry.
It isn’t just the environment that matters; it’s also about ethics.
Sibu sea buckthorn is harvested by local harvesters who are paid fair wages and provided with safe working conditions. Plus, once our berries are harvested, we use a supercritical CO2 extraction method that preserves the berry’s full nutrient profile.
So, there’s sea buckthorn at the top of the ORAC scale, and then there’s Sibu sea buckthorn that outshines the rest.
High ORAC Nutrition Into the Future
While the ORAC scale isn’t a perfect system for measuring nutritional integrity, it is the best tool we have for measuring antioxidant capacity – and this matters.
Antioxidant diversity is important, but so is antioxidant density. This is why it’s important to enjoy a delicious range of high-ORAC foods for well-rounded nutrition.
This includes sea buckthorn that offers not only a high ORAC score but also the antioxidant diversity your body needs.
Inside and out, high ORAC foods provide your body with what it needs to thrive in today’s world, and to protect it against disease far into the future.