Proponents of theory for the dominant effect of free radicals on the development of pathologic conditions suggest that
oxidative stress plays an important role in initiation and progression of many diseases such as CVDs (coronary heart disease, chronic heart failure), hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, cataracts, and cancer. Oxidative stress arises when excessively formed free radicals exceed capabilities of their neutralization by endogenous antioxidant systems. Decrease in plasma antioxidant capacity may indicate that the antioxidant defense system is not able to keep up with inactivation of oxygen-free radicals and repair oxidative damage, and thus there is a risk for increased incidence of diseases. The results of these studies show that reduction of morbidity and rise of age in which diseases occur correspond to a reasonable lifestyle and nutrition, which plays a dominant role in consumption of fruit and vegetables.
Research also provided strong evidence that eating fruits and vegetables with a high ORAC value helps to slow down the aging process of the body and its main organs. This statement is based on the assumption that the antioxidant activity of fruits and vegetables changes into antioxidant capacity of human body. Dietary recommendations made by U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of Health and Human Services, and the World Health Organization, clearly define the number of portions of consumed raw fruits and vegetables. According to these recommendations, daily diet should include at least two to three servings of fruit and three to five servings of vegetables. Also, knowledge of changes in ORAC during typical culinary processing should be properly distributed by doctors and dietitians. Presented and published each year, the results of numerous studies conducted on potential antioxidant should be a strong incentive to consume more fruits and vegetables, which greatly contribute to reducing detrimental effects of oxidative stress.