Oxidation During oxidation, electrons are transferred from a substance to an agent that combines a substance with oxygen. As a result of this process, free radicals are formed (7). Free Radicals Free
radicals are molecules that are produced when your body breaks down food. Other sources of
free radicals are environmental exposures. Some of them are radiation,
tobacco smoke, and stress (8). Free radicals initiate a chain reaction that damages cells.  |
Antioxidants An antioxidant is a molecule that terminate these free radical chains by removing free radical intermediates. Antioxidants also
inhibit other oxidation reactions that may occur by oxidizing
themselves (9). According to the National Cancer Institute, "antioxidants are substances that may protect cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals" (9). Without antioxidants, free radicals would reek havoc on our bodies. What are some of the substances we should thank?
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