Relationship Between Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) Index, Body Composition and Blood Biochemical Markers in Overweight /Obese Compared to Normal Weight Subjects

Abstract Background and aim: Obesity is an important preventable disease, which promotes the development of multiple chronic disorders by altering several factors including oxidative stress. Dietary antioxidants protect the body against oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential association of oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) index with obesity and its associated biochemical factors in adults. Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional study of 157 adult females and males in two groups of normal weight and overweight /obesity. General characteristics were registered and a 147-item food frequency questionnaire was completed for every participant. Thereafter, anthropometric measurements were conducted. Biochemical indices were obtained from the Electronic Health Clinic Database of science and Research branch of Islamic Azad University (SRBIAU) of Tehran, Iran. The amount of the dietary ORAC index was estimated using the data provided by the USDA Foods Table. Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference between the normal and overweight/obese groups in terms of weight, body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR), visceral fat level, body fat mass and body fat percentage (P=0.0001). Participants with normal weight consumed more fruits and vegetables than individuals in another group. Also, the dietary ORAC index in normal individuals was higher than the case group, but there was not significant difference (P=0.222). There was also a significant inverse correlation between dietary ORAC and BMI and WHR, whereas a significant positive correlation between dietary ORAC and plasma levels of HDL was observed (P<0.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that consumption of antioxidants from dietary sources is inversely associated with BMI and other measurements of adiposity, fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglyceride (TG), total Cholesterol (TC) and LDL in both groups. It seems that following a diet rich in antioxidants can counteract obesity and its associated comorbidities.