With the increase in environmental pollution and other factors that trigger the production of free radicals in the body other than metabolism (alcohol, poor diet, radiation, infections as well as medications), there is no doubt that antioxidants are important when it comes to living a healthy life on a balanced diet. It is not a surprise that antioxidants have become the current buzzword in the nutritional world, with the manufacturers of food and supplements trying to convince their clients that their products are healthy due to their antioxidant content. This is not always true; not all products with antioxidants are healthy and the antioxidant content of foods does not directly relate to its level of healthiness but the rate of absorption of the substance. All in all, the antioxidants help eliminate the harmful effects of the free radicals that are increasingly released into the body. Free radicals released into body tissues are very important to one’s health because they help fight bacteria by boosting one’s immune system.

Free radicals are one of the many ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) that contain oxygen molecules which are highly reactive to nucleic acids, enzymes, lipids found in membranes as well as proteins among other molecules that are small in size. When they are produced in excess, they can damage body cells, DNA and tissues leading into chronic ailments hence the significance of antioxidants. Body cells that are oxidized usually wear out hence breaking into small pieces with time. The role of antioxidants is to ensure that free radicals are stable in order to avoid the damages that occur to the body cells.

This book looks into the definition of an antioxidant, the myths and facts about them, types of antioxidants and what entails the antioxidant process, the benefits of antioxidants to health, their dietary supplements, foods rich in this mineral substance, their effects on preventing cancer and physical exercises and also a food for thought.