Antioxidants

Definition

Antioxidants are substances that help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals, which are harmful molecules that can lead to oxidative stress.

Scientific / Technical Definition

Antioxidants are molecules that inhibit the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidative reactions can produce free radicals, which can start chain reactions that might damage or kill a cell. Antioxidants terminate these damaging chain reactions by removing free radical intermediates and inhibiting oxidation reactions that may lead to cellular damage, chronic diseases, and aging.

Benefits

• Reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer
• Protect the skin from damage due to UV exposure
• Support immune function
• Slow the effects of aging
• Help maintain cellular health

Examples

• Vitamin C found in citrus fruits and strawberries
• Vitamin E present in nuts and seeds
• Beta-carotene found in carrots and sweet potatoes
• Lycopene found in tomatoes
• Flavonoids found in tea and dark chocolate

Additional Information

• knownIssues: Consuming very high doses of antioxidant supplements can sometimes lead to harmful effects and may interfere with certain medications.

Related Terms

• Free Radicals
• Oxidative Stress
• Cellular Health
• Vitamins
• Minerals

References

• The Role of Antioxidants in Disease Prevention
• Antioxidants: In Depth