The term antioxidant is given to a group of molecules that are capable of delaying or preventing the effect of oxygen on others, which is called oxidation, which consists of the transfer of electrons from one substance to others from an oxidizing agent. which incurs in the release of radicals that causes cell death.
Some antioxidant substances are beta carotenes, lutein, lycopene, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin C and Vitamin E. Natural sources of these substances are generally foods such as garlic, rice, broccoli, cauliflower, fruits like apple, orange, berries like walnuts and hazelnuts among others. They help cells live longer by preventing the free radicals that the normal oxidation reaction produces from acting in such a way that they oxidize themselves in the process.
Oxidation is part of the natural life process of any being and can be beneficial or harmful to cells, the lack of antioxidant agents in the body can cause oxidative stress which is a cellular disorder in which they lose the ability to rapidly detoxify intermediate reagents or repair damage resulting from oxidation. Some diseases related to oxidative stress are Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's, and it is not known whether it is a cause or an effect of these.
The use of antioxidants is a highly studied topic worldwide, which is attributed to the delay of aging, prevention of cancer and heart damage.
Industrially, some antioxidants are used to obtain fuel, playing a stabilizing role due to the fact that it prevents oxidation or polymerization.
