Antioxidants are molecules which slow down or prevent the oxidation of another molecule. In simple terms, oxidation is a process of breaking down of a substance in presence of oxygen. Scientifically, oxidation is actually a chemical reaction where electrons are received by oxidizing agent from the molecule to be oxidized.

Harmful chain reactions are started due to the free radicals produced during a particular oxidation process. Antioxidants suppress those chain reactions. Oxidants are beneficial for the human body but overdose of them can be fatal sometimes. Vitamin C, Vitamin A (beta carotene) and Vitamin E act as antioxidants. However, human body can produce its own antioxidants and keep those chain reactions away.

There are certain factors which tend to increase the number of free radicals in your body like you getting old day by day, the tensions and stress because of personal as well as professional lives and due to the pollution. Also smoking increases the number of free radicals creating an imbalance in your body. The increased high radical can hamper the DNA and can also lead to fatal diseases like cancer. It also causes heart attack and stroke. Fruits and vegetables are good source of antioxidants, there are also some supplements available which one can take to reduce the number of free radicals but can hinder body’s antioxidant producing capacity.