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Antioxidants 101
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Written by Gloria Tsang, RD
Published in Dec 2005; Updated in Sep 2009
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What are Antioxidants? Benefits of Antioxidants
(HealthCastle.com) Antioxidants are substances or nutrients in our foods which can prevent or slow the oxidative damage to our body. When our body cells use oxygen, they naturally produce free radicals (by-products) which can cause damage. Antioxidants act as "free radical scavengers" and hence prevent and repair damage done by these free radicals. Health problems such as heart disease, macular degeneration, diabetes, cancer etc are all contributed by oxidative damage. Indeed, a recent study conducted by researchers from London found that 5 servings of fruits and vegetables reduce the risk of stroke by 25 percent. Antioxidants may also enhance immune defense and therefore lower the risk of cancer and infection.
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Most Commonly Known Antioxidants
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Other Common Antioxidants
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Some common phytochemicals
- Flavonoids / polyphenols
- Lycopene
- Lutein
- dark green vegetables such as kale, broccoli, kiwi, brussels sprout and spinach
- Lignan
Vitamin-like Antioxidants:
- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
- Glutathione
Antioxidant enzymes made by the body:
- superoxide dismutase (SOD)
- catalase
- glutathione peroxidase
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Message: Antioxidants are found abundant in beans, grain products, 
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