The Roles of Antioxidants and Free Radicals

We hear about antioxidants constantly and know they have health benefits, but what are antioxidants? Simply said, antioxidants are chemicals that reduce oxidative damage to cells and biomolecules. A better way to explain the benefits of antioxidants is to describe what happens without them.

When an apple is sliced and turns brown in a short amount of time, this is oxidation. When I forget and leave my pruning shears outside for while and they rust, this is also oxidation. Our bodies aren't apples or pruning shears, but that same complicated process of chemical reaction occurs in our bodies.

The body produces energy at a cellular level with the food and drinks we consume. Each time we eat or drink, our bodies begin building up and then breaking down the substances on a cellular level. While this process is taking place, molecules that are missing an electron are made. These molecules are called free radicals.

The interesting thing about a free radical is their instability because they do not contain a full set of electrons. This now highly unstable free radical begins to steal an electron from anywhere available to get back in balance. Once it steals from another cell, it alters the chemical structure of that cell.

Free radicals are actually important to fight disease and toxins in the body. Unfortunately, free radicals become dangerous because they are sometimes over-produced. This causes an imbalance called oxidative stress.

The body then produces antioxidants to help fight the effects of free radicals. Antioxidants are generous and give up one of their electrons to keep things in balance. The antioxidants help keep the nearby cells from being damaged from free radicals.

Sometimes when the body is exposed to certain substances or is fighting infection, the natural production of antioxidants is not enough. Cellular damage will occur if there are not enough antioxidants to neutralize the effects of the free radicals. This damage accumulates over time and eventually can lead to cancer, diabetes, and other degenerative diseases.