what is an antioxidant and what do they do?

Ognjen Knaus @ 2021-03-18 02:27:21 -0700

Antioxidants are substances that can prevent or slow cell damage in our bodies by fighting free radicals. They basically scavenge our bodies looking for free radicals to fight!  

So… what are Free Radicals?

Free radicals are harmful, unstable molecules produced by our bodies as it reacts to unhealthy aspects of our environment and processes food that’s not great for us. If we don’t get rid of them efficiently, they cause “oxidative stress” which wreaks havoc on our health.  

So, how do you get more antioxidants?  What can you to do make sure you’ve got a full army of these guys to help you fight?

The best source of antioxidants are vegetables and other plant-based foods, though they’re found in a variety of animal-based foods as well (pro tip: fruits and vegetables with rich, vibrant colors tend to contain the most antioxidants!) 

Here’s a list of key antioxidants and where you can find them: 

Other foods that are believed to be good sources of antioxidants include:

Sources

Healthline

Medical News Today

WebMD