Why are antioxidants so good for your body?

Answer 1

There is allot of nonsense promoted about antioxidants (which has no scientific evidence to back it up) by companies trying to sell you health food products.

Scientifically antioxidants in your body act to prevent components in your cells being oxidised (combining with free oxygen) before they should. An example of oxidation would be to take an apple and slice it in half. If you leave it it will turn brown in the air - this is oxidation. However if you dip the cut half in lemon juice before leaving it you will find it takes much longer to turn brown. The lemon juice is acting as an antioxidant.

This is a very attractive idea - telling people that if they eat certain foods (lemons - pomegranates etc) then this will protect their tissues. However in the stomach all foods eaten are reduced to their component parts before being absorbed by the body and used to build new molecules.

Provided you eat a varied and balanced diet the body makes all it needs to keep you healthy - evolution has ensured this.

Therefore the real benefit of expensive manufactured antioxidant products sold by companies is at best dubious. All they are is modern 'snake oil' - save your money and just eat good fresh food and you will be better off.

Answer 2

Oxidants are by products of metabolism which occurs in every cell of the body. Metabolism burns energy, and just like any engine, it gives off smoke and /or exhaust. Those waste products roam freely and interact with healthy tissues. Antioxidants bind to the waste products so they do less harm to healthy cells and tissues.

Answer 3

because they can prevent the body from cancer

the oxidants increase the risk of cancer

Answer 4

Benefits of consuming sufficient amount of antioxidant vitamins is, having lower risk of getting chronic diseases, like heart disease, stroke, cancer, or cataract.