Antioxidants are substances found in foods that have the ability to prevent or reduce the oxidative damage that occurs in your body. The normal biological activities that your body engages in requires cells to use oxygen, however, during the process, by-products called free radicals are produced – free radicals cause damage to cells. Antioxidants act as “free radical scavengers” and they are believed to exert a preventative and restorative effect on cells. Oxidative stress can contribute to the birth of illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, macular degeneration, and diabetes. Research has indicated that consuming at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day can increase your in-take of antioxidants, as well as provide additional health benefits by boosting your immune system. Antioxidants added to skin care products are thought to repair and protect the skin against sun damage and reduce skin cancer risk.
