What are Antioxidants and What Do They Do?
What are Antioxidants
Antioxidant is one of the terms we hear frequently in daily life. But how many of us know what an antioxidant is? Probably, most of us do not fully know the meaning of this word. Antioxidants are all the vitamins and minerals that fight against free radicals, which age and make the body sick. Air pollution, irregular nutrition, excessive alcohol consumption, and excessive exposure to sunlight cause cells to age. Vitamins A, C, and E, beta-carotene, zinc, lycopene, selenium, and flavonoids, which we call antioxidants, strengthen the body against disease-causing agents and prevent premature aging of cells. Besides vitamins and minerals, fruits and vegetables known for their antioxidant effects show a natural antioxidant effect. Tomatoes, onions, cauliflower, grapes, cherries, and tea are among the fruits and vegetables with the highest antioxidant content.
What Do Antioxidants Do
Antioxidants are molecules that protect the body against free radicals. It is thanks to antioxidants that the cells are protected against free radicals that arise with the oxygen we breathe. Antioxidants protect cell DNA and protein structures against the destructive effect of oxygen. They prevent the body from getting sick and aging prematurely due to the effect of free radicals.