Why antioxidants are good for you

You may have heard about the health benefits of antioxidants, but do you know what an antioxidant is? Here’s a low-down on them and how they actually work.

What are antioxidants?
Antioxidants are naturally-occurring chemicals in foods that prevent damage to healthy body cells and repair damage caused by the oxygen-free radicals.

How are they useful? Says Dr Rakesh Sapra, Senior Consultant, Fortis Hospital, New Delhi: “Body processes, such as metabolism, and environmental factors such as pollution and cigarette smoke, can produce free radicals. An overload of free radicals causes damage to the cells, and often results in disease. Antioxidants prevent the body from developing diseases like cancer, and boost the immune system.

Where can you get them? Says Dr Neeru Gera, Senior Consultant, Max Hospital, New Delhi: “The best sources of antioxidants are eggs, carrots, spinach, oranges, strawberries, broccoli, pumpkin, nuts and seafood. Tea is a rich source of antioxidants called flavonoids, and wine contains beneficial phenolic compounds.”

How much is enough for you? Because many antioxidants act in association with enzymes, our body requires only tiny quantities of them. Says Dr Sapra: “People who take more than the small daily requirement— which is nearly always present in a reasonably balanced diet— are certainly courting trouble.”

Can too much antioxidants harm you? Too much of some sources of antioxidants, such as Vitamin D (above 1,200 mg daily) causes calcium to be deposited in the kidneys, arteries and other tissues—a serious matter that can lead to all sorts of problems, including kidney failure.