Why are antioxidants called antioxidants?
Any substance that reduces oxidative damage (damage due to oxygen) such as that caused by free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive chemicals that attack molecules by capturing electrons and thus modifying chemical structures. That is the reason plants have natural antioxidants to prevent photooxidation damage,i.e. Carotenes which get converted to carotenols by picking up free radicals. According to modern theory of aging free radicals are cause of old age related problems even athersclerosis. Well-known antioxidants include a number of enzymes and other substances such as vitamin C, vitamin E and beta carotene (which is converted to vitamin A) that are capable of counteracting the damaging effects of oxidation. Antioxidants are also commonly added to food products like vegetable oils and prepared foods to prevent or delay their deterioration from the action of air. You need more why don’t u hear some interesting lectures free of ost on wiziq.
