What are Antioxidants

What are Antioxidants?

Antioxidants are molecules that slow or block the oxidation process of other molecules.

What is oxidation?

Oxidation is the way oxygen molecules react when in contact with different substances. During oxidation there is a loss of electrons.

Think of metal that starts to rust or picture what happens to a fruit when the skin has been broken. It begins to develop "bruises" and starts to go bad. This is essentially what happens to the tissue in your body. Antioxidants counteract this event, but, please understand oxidation is a normal process.

How Antioxidants Work

Antioxidants counteract the effects of oxidation on your body's molecules. They block harmful molecules known as free radicals, which are atoms or molecules that have one or more unpaired electrons. These unpaired electrons are highly reactive and cause damage to cells in your body.

Benefits of Antioxidants

Many diseases are thought to be considered as a result of free radicals, such as cancers, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, stroke, arthritis, and aging. Antioxidants are said to help in the prevention of these diseases.

Vitamins A, C, E, beta-carotene, manganese, selenium, and zinc help in limiting the damage of free radicals.

The American Heart Association (AHA), however “doesn’t recommend using antioxidant vitamin supplements until more complete data are available.” They suggest getting your antioxidants through a variety of foods that contain them.

Fruits, vegetables, and nuts are excellent sources of antioxidants. Click on the Healthy Foods to Eat section for suggestions on which foods are among the healthiest.