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Home Blog Patient Awareness What Are Antioxidants And Why Do We Need Them?

What Are Antioxidants And Why Do We Need Them?

By Dhwani Jerajani +2 more

check_circle Medically reviewed by Dr. Nikita Toshi

Last updated: Apr 15, 2024

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Before we understand what antioxidants are and the role they play in our overall health and wellbeing, let us first understand what free radicals are.Free radicals are the unstable molecules that are formed as a result of the various chemical reactions that occur in our body – like food consumed getting converted into energy, exposure to sunlight, pollution, radiation, etc.These are unstable because they contain unpaired electrons and in order to become stable, they try to steal these electrons from other molecules. While doing so, they cause extensive damage to the cells of the body and also trigger harmful chain reactions, which are termed oxidative stress or oxidative damage.To make matters worse, these radicals create a ripping effect that is once a free radical is formed, it starts creating many more free radicals in the process.

Table of Contents

What Causes Oxidative Stress And Free Radical Formation?

Many processes and things can cause free radicals to form:

Regular cellular processes such as the activity of the mitochondria
Extreme exercise as well as inflammation, injury and tissue damage
Certain unhealthy foods like processed products, artificial sweeteners, sugary foods and beverages, food additives like colouring
Radiation from the sun, pollution, smoking
Exposure to chemicals (such as pesticides) as well as certain medications (such as cancer treatment). Do inform your doctor if you have any history of allergy to medicines (if experienced in the past).

These may increase free radicals in the body, as well as enzymes that produce free radicals. The good news is that foods high in antioxidants can help combat all of this, so let’s learn more:

Role of Antioxidants

Antioxidants are our body’s protectors and help to neutralize these free radicals and stop them from causing damage to our bodies. Coming in different shapes and sizes, they donate electrons to these free radicals, thereby making them stable. In some cases, they also play a crucial role in degrading these radicals and render them harmless.By doing so, they also help to protect the body from dangerous ailments like cardiovascular diseases, cancer, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, etc.Also Read: Cinnamon Water: Unpacking Its Research-Backed Health Benefits

Best Sources of Antioxidants

Studies have proved that many plant-based foods act as rich sources of antioxidants. Often it is observed that the most colourful foods have the most antioxidants.Some common antioxidants include:

Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Beta-carotene
Vitamin A
Selenium

Thus, some rich sources include:

Vitamin C: Brussels sprouts, kale, berries such as Strawberries, Oranges, Guava, etc.
Vitamin E: Spinach, Hazelnuts, Corn, Sunflower seeds, Almonds, Peanuts, etc.
Beta-carotene: Carrots, Broccoli, Sweet potatoes, Peaches, Apricots, etc.
Vitamin A: Sweet red peppers, Tuna fish, Mango
Selenium: Salmon, Chicken Breast, Eggs, Chia seeds, Mushrooms, etc.

Along with foods, certain herbs also act as rich sources of antioxidants. Some prominent ones in this list include:

Clove
Cinnamon
Turmeric
Cumin
Cocoa
Thyme and
Ginger

While the formation of free radicals is a normal phenomenon, it is, in fact, the oxidative stress that causes more damage than good.Oxidative stress can have the following effects:

Affect cell walls
Cause LDL cholesterol stick to blood vessels
Damage the DNA, to name a few

Some benefits of antioxidants include:

Glowing, youthful skin
Low risk of cancer
Reduced occurrence of vision loss
Longer life span
Support towards detoxification
Reduced and slower signs of ageing

Also Read: Glutathione Benefits: Exploring the Research-Based Health AdvantagesDisclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

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