antioxidant

/ænɾiˈɑksədənt/

/æntiˈɒksədənt/

Other forms: antioxidants

An antioxidant is a substance that helps prevent damage caused by certain chemical reactions in our bodies. Fruits, vegetables, and beans are full of antioxidants.

Vitamins C and E are familiar antioxidants found in foods like spinach, strawberries, kiwifruit, and lima beans. These substances work in two main ways. They sometimes prevent chemical oxygen reactions that produce damaging, unstable free radicals. They can also bind with the free radicals to make them stable and keep them from causing damage. Antioxidants don't just protect our bodies; they are also used to keep food fresh — a squeeze of lemon juice (Vitamin C) on a sliced apple helps prevent oxidation that turns the fruit brown.

Definitions of antioxidant

1. noun

   a substance that hinders oxidation or reactions promoted by oxygen or peroxides
   types:

   glutathione peroxidase

   an enzyme in the body that is a powerful scavenger of free radicals

   Se, atomic number 34, selenium

   a toxic nonmetallic element related to sulfur and tellurium; occurs in several allotropic forms; a stable grey metallike allotrope conducts electricity better in the light than in the dark and is used in photocells; occurs in sulfide ores (as pyrite)

   carotenoid

   any of a class of highly unsaturated yellow to red pigments occurring in plants and animals

   rust inhibitor

   antioxidant that inhibits the formation of rust

   beta-naphthol

   an isomer of naphthol used in rubber as an antioxidant

   E, tocopherol, vitamin E

   a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for normal reproduction; an important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body

   C, ascorbic acid, vitamin C

   a vitamin found in fresh fruits (especially citrus fruits) and vegetables; prevents scurvy

   alpha-tocopheral

   a potent form of vitamin E obtained from germ oils or by synthesis

   carotene

   yellow or orange-red fat-soluble pigments in plants

   lycopene

   carotenoid that makes tomatoes red; may lower the risk of prostate cancer

   beta-carotene

   an isomer of carotene that is found in dark green and dark yellow fruits and vegetables

   lutein, xanthophyl, xanthophyll

   yellow carotenoid pigments in plants and animal fats and egg yolks

   zeaxanthin

   yellow carotenoid (isomeric with lutein and occurs widely with it) that is the main pigment in yellow Indian corn

   type of:

   inhibitor

   a substance that retards or stops an activity