An antioxidant is a substance which has ability to prevent or repress the oxidation of other substance. It protects your cells from the adverse effects of the free radicals. Oxidation is a vital process but can sometimes damage cells and can also lead to diseases like cancer. Certain chain reactions are started due to the free radicals produced during a particular oxidation process. Antioxidants by eliminating those free radicals abort the harmful chain reactions and nullify any other remaining oxidation reaction by oxidizing itself. These free radicals generally affect the DNA, proteins, fats and other healthy cells. Antioxidants counter those oxidation reactions by nullifying effect of those deadly molecules.

Besides preventing those oxidation reactions, antioxidants also help to mend those cells which are already affected and increase the immune level of the body. Low level of antioxidant level in the body can also damage the cells. The antioxidants are found in vitamin A, vitamin C rich fruits and vegetables and also one can derive antioxidants from vitamin E. There are certain enzymes such as Superoxide Dismutase, Catalase and few more can produce antioxidants. Apart from its medicinal uses antioxidants also have some industrial uses. It can be used as a food preservative and also as a preservative for cosmetics.  They also prevent the degradation of rubber and gasoline.