What are antioxidant nutrients?
In the body, certain molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are normally produced as part of the defence system and as the by-products of cellular metabolic processes utilising oxygen.1 These reactive species include free radicals or certain molecules which may be oxidising agents or convertible to free radicals. Many factors can cause the body to produce more reactive species than are needed. These include smoking, drinking alcohol, too much fat in the diet, too much sun exposure, too many pollutants in the air and even too much exercise. Antioxidants are substances that reduce oxidation and so counteract the reactive species. If ROS or RNS outnumber the antioxidant stores in the body, they can inactivate enzymes, oxidise lipids and damage genetic materials (DNA). These processes have been linked to ageing and a variety of age-related conditions, including heart disease and cancer. There are many compounds with so-called antioxidant properti
