Why are they beneficial when we need oxygen to survive? Do they even exist, or is it a marketing buzzword?
In: Biology
To explain that, I must explain something called a “free radical”. These are atoms or molecules in the body that have an unpaired electron. Think of electrons in atoms as dancers, they like to have a partner. If some atoms have an unpaired electron, they can take one from another atom. This exchange of electrons is called a “reduction oxidation reaction” or redox reaction for short. The atom or molecule that gains an electron is called an oxidizing agent or oxidant.
In some cases, the body uses these for various functions. However, too many can start to damage the body, perhaps even DNA, as those radicals start looking to get their electron a partner.
This is where antioxidants come in. They have electrons to spare and can donate them to satisfy the free radical. They are “anti-oxidant” because they safely neutralize them in a redox reaction
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