How many different types of anti oxidants are there?

Question

What exactly is an anti oxidant?

Answer 1

Different antioxidants are usually classified into 3 categories:

-Nutrients (vitamins and minerals)

-Enzymes (proteins)

-Phytochemicals (plant nutrients such as flavenoids and anthocyanins)

The following outlines the more common types of antioxidants:

Vitamin C is one of the most common and well known antioxidants and has been studied for a long time for its positive and regenerating effects on the body. Vitamin C is water soluble and it scavenges free radicals that are in a watery environment, such as inside your cells. Vitamin C also boosts the effectiveness of other antioxidants in the body, such as Vitamin E.

Vitamin E is especially helpful in preventing the oxidation of lipids, assisting in the utility of oxygen and selenium and modifying free radicals. Because alpha-tocopherol (Vit E) is fat-soluble (and can only dissolve in fats) it is in a unique position to safeguard cell membranes – largely composed of fatty acids – from damage by free radicals.

Beta-carotene is also a water-soluble vitamin and is one of the carotenoids. There are over 600 caratenoids identified, all of which play different roles in antioxidant activity. Beta-carotene is especially excellent at scavenging free radicals in low oxygen concentration.

Selenium is a trace element. It is a mineral that we need to consume in only very small quantities, but without which we could not survive. It forms the active sight of several antioxidant enzymes.

Antioxidant Enzymes are proteins in your body that assist in chemical reactions. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase serve as your primary line of defense in destroying free radicals. Together, they repair oxidized DNA, degrade oxidized protein, and destroy oxidized lipids. I know there’s a lot of big words in here that you probably won’t understand – but trust me antioxidant enzymes are very important in your body.

Coenzyme Q10 is essential to energy production and can also protect the body from destructive free radicals.

Phytochemicals are being studied much more in depth now and are believed to play key roles in antioxidant as well as many other activites. There are hundreds and hundreds of phytochemicals in the foods we eat. They are mostly found in berries, broccoli and similar vegetables, and some legumes. Some of the more known types of phytochemicals are flavenoids, bioflavenoids, indoles, phenols, polyphenols, phenolic compounds, tannins, anthocyanins, proanthocyanins, quercetins and catechins.

These are only some of the main types of antioxidants – there are many more that are still being discovered and are still being studied.

What you need to know: The best way to get all the different types of antioxidants you need is to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes, proteins, and nuts.

An antioxidant is a molecule capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules.

Answer 2

antioxidants :

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      An antioxidant is a molecule capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals, which start chain reactions that damage cells. Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions by removing free radical intermediates, and inhibit other oxidation reactions by being oxidized themselves. As a result, antioxidants are often reducing agents such as thiols or polyphenols.