Ranking affinity(LOVE) for Electrons.

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Oxidizing Agents- the greater the affinity, the stronger the oxidizing agent.
Reducing Agents- The lower the affinity, the stronger the reducing agent.

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Here\'s a mnemonic
\"LEO the lion says GER\"
Loss of Electrons= Oxidation
Gain of Electrons= Reduction
When you have NAD+, it\'s positive, and when you have NADH it\'s neutral, meaning net gain of 1 e-. Gain of Electrons is Reduction, so NADH is reduced.

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Reducing Agents are ranked according to Electron Transfer Potential (ability to lose electrons).

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Substances that have HIGH electron-transfer potential, such as NADH, are STRONG REDUCING AGENTS.
Substances with LOW electron-transfer potential, such as H2O, are WEAK REDUCING AGENTS.

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Oxidizing Agents and Reducing Agents occur as couples.

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Strong reducing agents(high ability to lose electrons) are coupled to weak oxidizing agents.

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NAD+ is a weak oxidizing agent (of the NAD+ -NADH couple). This is because NADH is a STONG REDUCING AGENT-meaning it wants to lose electrons that is why NAD+ is a weak oxidizing agent.
Whereas, O2 (of the O2-H2O) is a strong oxidizing agent. This is because it has a higher affinity for electrons-which means strong oxidizing agent.

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Cell Structure and Function