Posts Tagged ‘damaging effects of free radicals’
What are Antioxidants?
We have often heard the expression “is an antioxidant with healthy food but do we know what they are and why they should be included in our diet?”

We are in the “media war” between the food industries to gain the trust of consumers, so from Viton we review some basic features about antioxidants and other posts for more “functional adders” such as omega 3.
* An antioxidant is a molecule capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals that start chain reactions that damage cells. Antioxidants terminate these reactions by removing free radical intermediates and inhibit other oxidation reactions oxidized themselves.
* Antioxidants block the damaging effects of free radicals. Breathing in oxygen is essential for cellular life of our body, but following the same free radicals are produced, which lead to lifelong negative health effects through its ability to alter DNA (genes), proteins and lipids or fats.
* There are situations that increase the production of free radicals such as strenuous exercise, environmental pollution, smoking, infections, stress, diets rich in fat and overexposure to the sun.
* Antioxidants are found in foods such as vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, and tea.