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Monday, November 25, 2024

Antioxidants: What Are They, and What Do They Do to Protect Your Body? - Green Matters

Last updated Thursday, November 4, 2021 17:51 ET , Source: NewsService

If a true panacea ever truly existed, it probably contained antioxidants.

There seems to be no limit to the number of maladies that these remarkable substances can fix. Antioxidants are portrayed as the ultimate disease-fighting super substance — at least as far as scientists and nutritionists are concerned. But what are antioxidants, and how do they make us healthier?

What are antioxidants?

Antioxidants can help slow cell damage brought on free radicals, according to Medical News Today, which can lead to serious health problems. And although antioxidants can come from manmade sources, they can be easily derived from natural food sources, too.

What are free radicals?

Free radicals are unstable molecules that can be generated in response to environmental conditions such as cigarette smoke, UV exposure, or pollution. They can also come about naturally, while exercising, breathing, or simply converting food into energy. According to Healthline, they are little more than oxygen-containing molecules which contain an uneven number of electrons.

In order to replace the missing electron, free radicals attempt to steal electrons from other molecules in the body. If they succeed, they create oxidative stress, which harms our cells and affects how they function. According to Jessica Gavin, excessive damage can result in various health problems including: heart disease, diabetes, and in some cases, cancer. It can also cause premature aging.

How do antioxidants work?

Antioxidants...



Read Full Story: https://www.greenmatters.com/p/what-are-antioxidants

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