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 oxidising agent.
Antioxidants are particularly important in the context of organic chemistry and biology: all living cells contain complex systems of antioxidant chemicals and enzymes to prevent chemical damage to the cells' components by oxidation.
A diet containing polyphenol antioxidants from plants is required for the health of most mammals, since plants are an important source of organic antioxidant chemicals. Antioxidants are widely used as ingredients in dietary supplements that are used for health purposes such as preventing cancer and heart disease. However, while many studies have suggested benefits for antioxidant supplements in laboratory experiments, several large clinical trials have failed to clearly demonstrate a benefit for the formulations tested, and excess supplementation may be harmful. It is logical to assume that a one dimensional approach to dietary supplementation with one specific antioxidant is not a panacea, since a broad diet rich in phytonutrients will yield thousands of different polyphenol antioxidants available for metabolism
2006-10-18 01:28:41
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answer #1
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answered by dandyl 7
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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 oxidising agent.
4 more :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antioxidant
2006-10-18 01:49:15
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answer #2
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answered by Geo06 5
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Antioxidant prevent oxygen from reacting with foods. It prevents fat and oils from turning racid and other things.
We use them to slow down or prevent oxidation.
2006-10-18 01:34:22
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answer #3
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answered by bburnouts 3
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hey antioxidants r d substances that react wid free radicals .....they hav lone pair of electrons....hence thay tend to react wid free radicals,,
2006-10-18 01:27:28
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answer #4
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answered by pioneer. 2
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they quench free radicals
2006-10-18 05:29:26
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answer #5
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answered by shiara_blade 6
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