YouthJuice™ – Overview: What is an antioxidant?
Cells in humans and other organisms are constantly exposed to a variety of oxidizing agents, some of which are necessary for life. These agents may be present in air, food, and water or they may be produced by metabolic activities within cells. Overproduction of oxidants can cause an imbalance, leading to oxidative stress (Liu, 2003). Oxidative stress can cause oxidative damage to large biomolecules such as proteins, DNA, and lipids, resulting in an increasing risk for cancer and cardiovascular disease. As indicated by Ames and Gold (1991), a sufficient amount of antioxidants such as phenolics, carotinoids, and anthocyanins need to be consumed in order to prevent or slow down the oxidative stress induced by free radicals.
