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Because our bodies need oxygen to function, many reactive byproducts accumulate in our cells (such as hydrogen peroxide). These chemicals, called oxidants (or free radicals) try to strip electrons away from other molecules and cause damage to cells. Normally, we have varying mechanisms to fight these antioxidants (such as enzymes or reducing agents), but sometimes the radicals can escape and start to cause damage. Taking in antioxidants helps to prevent these molecules from damaging our cells.

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βˆ™ 15y ago
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βˆ™ 14y ago

An antioxidant is any molecule that is stable with or without all its necessary electrons. A free radical, on the other hand, is a molecule that is unstable when it loses an electron.

The purpose of an antioxidant is to donate one of its electrons to the unstable free radicals. Once it has done that, both molecules are stable.

An unstable free radical causes damage to nearby healthy cells when it "bounces" around looking for an electron to steal. A damaged healthy cell is the cause of aging, illness and disease.

Antioxidants, therefore, are nature's solution to that problem.

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βˆ™ 13y ago

Your question assumes they are beneficial.

A chemical reaction called oxidation is central to a lot of health problems, not the least of which being vascular disease (heart attacks and strokes). So in theory antioxidants, which impede this reaction, should help solve a variety of problems. People often take vitamin C, vitamin E, and a lot of supplements and juices in an effort to achieve better health though antioxidants.

The problem is that none have ever been proved to be effective in any clinically relevant way (despite what the sellers will try to tell you) and some have been shown to be detrimental (vitamin E in smokers being one notorious example).

If you want to live long and have a healthy heart the best bet is to eat well, exercise regularly, watch your weight, avoid smoking, drink alcohol in moderation and save your money rather than spend it on pills that promise health in a jar.

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tezahn usa

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βˆ™ 2y ago

Antioxidant water gives you healthy and divine water to drink. You might find plain drinking water boring so that you can experiment with flavored water and iced flavored water. An organic company like Tezahn has the best-flavored water to benefit your body and ensure you can relax. Flavored water is free of caffeine, sugar, and preservatives. Plus, it’s organic, natural, and has healing properties to revitalize you and make you feel good. Antioxidant water gives you an immunity booster and is sustainable. It is also easy to make and carry around to hydrate you all day.

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βˆ™ 11y ago

it is the ability to scavenge free radicals

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βˆ™ 15y ago

removes cell waste and cleans and nourishes the body

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βˆ™ 8y ago

An antioxidant is a substance which acts to slow or prevent the oxidation of another chemical, or any of a group of vitamins which act against the effects of free radicals.

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βˆ™ 15y ago

WHAT IS ANTIOXIDANT?

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Q: What does an antioxidant do for you?
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