Antioxidants are molecules that inhibit the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical process that can produce free radicals, leading to chain reactions that may cause damage to our cells.
Every day, oxidation in your body attacks billions of cells similar to how it spoils foods. Antioxidants job is to help protect our bodies from the ravages caused by oxidation, like it inhibits rancidity and spoilage in foods.
The Damaging Effects of Oxidation
Two types of antioxidants are making headlines for their unique health benefits, tannins and anthocyanins. Onyx sorghum has both types, a very rare combination that research is showing has exciting possibilities!
The dark coloring in many fruits, vegetables and other plants; such as pomegranates, red wine, blueberries, dark chocolate, etc., are due to tannin antioxidants. Recently, these tannin rich foods have been much in the news for their many health benefits. Onyx and Hi-Tannin Bran sorghum are some of the very best sources of tannins, as measured by Oxygen Free Radical Absorbance Capacity; (ORAC) values, which measures the potential foods have to neutralize harmful free radicals. In fact, 5 of the top 20 ORAC rich foods are varieties of sorghum.
The Best Sources of Tannin
ONYXTM sorghum is one of the very best sources of tannins, which is why it is the key ingredient in all of our Grain Berry Cereals, baking mixes and pastas
The Best Sources of Tannin
ONYXTM sorghum is one of the very best sources of tannins, (see "Foods Rich in Tannins" chart); which is why it is thekey ingredient in all of our Grain Berry Cereals, baking mixes and pastas
In addition to being one of the very best sources of tannin antioxidants, Onyx has a rare type of anthocyanin; 3 deoxy-anthocyanins; we call 3-D antioxidants. 3-D antioxidants neutralize many of free radicals that tannins miss.
Comprehensive Effects
This combination of tannins and 3-D antioxidants is found nowhere else; and together they help combat all 6 of the known free radicals as shown in the Onyx Lab Results on the right.
Grain Berry went beyond single ORAC testing by including the full spectrum of free radicals, as illustrated in the chart. USDA ORAC Test (2004, 2007, and 2010) measured one key free radical (Peroxal); only one of the six known free radicals.
Comprehensive Effects
This combination of tannins and 3-D antioxidants is found nowhere else; and together they help combat all 6 of the known free radicals as shown in the Onyx Lab Results on the right.
ONYX Multiple ORAC Test Results
(ORAC = Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity)
Grain Berry went beyond single ORAC testing by including the full spectrum of free radicals, as illustrated in the chart. USDA ORAC Test (2004, 2007, and 2010) measured one key free radical (Peroxal); only one of the six known free radicals.
Free radicals are created by our bodies during digestion and metabolism and from such sources as UV light radiation, engine exhaust, second hand smoke, and other forms of pollution and stress. Free radicals attack our billions of cells and over time can lead to a wide array of diseases, such as cancers, heart disease and diabetes, among others. Antioxidants job is to bind with and neutralize free radicals.
