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What are Antioxidants?

Antioxidants are molecules that fight free radicals in your body. They can protect against cell damage saving you from an abundance of health problems.


According to pubs.rsc.org "Antioxidants are molecules that inhibit or quench free radical reactions and delay or inhibit cellular damage. Though the antioxidant defenses are different from species to species, the presence of the antioxidant defense is universal. Antioxidants exists both in enzymatic and non-enzymatic forms in the intracellular and extracellular environment."


Activities and processes that can lead to stress include:

  • excessive exercise

  • tissue trauma, due to inflammation and injury

  • consumption of certain foods, especially refined and processed foods, trans fats, artificial sweeteners, and certain dyes and additives

  • smoking

  • environmental pollution

  • radiation

  • exposure to chemicals, such as pesticides and drugs, including chemotherapy

  • industrial solvents

  • ozone

  • Such activities and exposures can result in cell damage.


The damage caused can be linked to cancer, atherosclerosis, and loss of vision.


“Antioxidant” is not really the name of a substance, but rather it describes what a range of substances can do.


Examples of antioxidants that come from outside the body include:

  • Vitamin A: Dairy produce, eggs, and liver

  • Vitamin C: Most fruits and vegetables, especially berries, oranges, and bell peppers

  • Vitamin E: Nuts and seeds, sunflower and other vegetable oils, and green, leafy vegetables

  • Beta-carotene: Brightly colored fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, peas, spinach, and mangoes

  • Lycopene: Pink and red fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes and watermelon

  • Lutein: Green, leafy vegetables, corn, papaya, and oranges

  • Selenium: Rice, corn, wheat, and other whole grains, as well as nuts, eggs, cheese, and legumes

Other foods that are believed to be good sources of antioxidants include:

  • eggplants

  • legumes such as black beans or kidney beans

  • green and black teas

  • red grapes

  • dark chocolate

  • pomegranates

  • goji berries

Overall, research has not proven that taking any particular antioxidant as a supplement or through a food can protect against diseases.


There may be some benefit for people at risk of age-related macular degeneration, but it is essential to seek advice from a doctor about whether to use supplements, and which ones to use.


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