Question: What Are Antioxidants?
Answer: "Antioxidant" is the generic name given to a broad family of molecules that all share the ability to absorb reactive oxygen molecules.
Antioxidants come in a variety of forms, but the most familiar antioxidants are common vitamins. Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E are all antioxidants, as are the related carotenes (beta carotene, etc).
Most people are familiar with the antioxidants because of wide media coverage regarding their purported health benefits. A large body of scientific research has demonstrated that antioxidants are beneficial. They slow down the aging process and may prevent certain types of cancer.
Details on the health benefits of antioxidants are still emerging. Recent studies have shown that antioxidants do not protect against heart disease or death from heart attack.
