An antioxidant is a chemical that reduces the rate of particular oxidation reactions in a specific context, where oxidation reactions are chemical reactions that involve the transfer of electrons from a substance to an oxidizing agent, this generally results in different chemicals to the original ones. Antioxidants are particularly important in the context of organic chemistry and biology.

All living organisms maintain a reducing environment inside their cells, all cells contain complex systems of antioxidants to prevent chemical damage to the cells' components by oxidation.

These antioxidants include glutathione and ascorbic acid and are substrates for enzymes such as peroxidases and oxidoreductases. Antioxidants are widely used as ingredients in dietary supplements used for health purposes such as preventing cancer and heart disease.

Studies have suggested antioxidant supplements has benefits for health, but several large clinical trials did not demonstrate a definite benefit for the formulations tested, and excess supplementation may even be harmful. Dietary supplementation has few specific antioxidants compared to a broad diet rich in phytonutrients, which will yield thousands of different polyphenol antioxidants available for metabolism..

For more information about the topic Antioxidant, read the full article at Wikipedia.org, or see the following related articles:

Polyphenol antioxidant — A polyphenol antioxidant is a type of antioxidant characterized by the presence of several phenol functions. In human health these compounds, ...  > read more

Radical (chemistry) — In chemistry, radicals (often referred to as free radicals) are atomic or molecular species with unpaired electrons on an otherwise open shell ...  > read more

Redox — Redox reactions include all chemical processes in which atoms have their oxidation number (oxidation state) changed. Substances that have the ability ...  > read more

Ischaemic heart disease — Ischaemic (or ischemic) heart disease is a disease characterized by reduced blood supply to the heart. It is the most common cause of death in most ...  > read more

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