Nutrition Term #1: Antioxidants

A common nutrition question is "What are Antioxidants?"  A great way to explain this is from the book 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth by Jonny Bowden, PhD. 

In the book Bowden defines Antioxidants as "Compounds in food that help fight the process of oxidation or oxidative stress, a factor in virtually every degenerative disease."

He uses a cut apple being left in the air as an example of oxidation.  The apple turning brown also happens to the cells and organs in the body due to poor food quality, air pollution, etc.  Antioxidants help fight this process [1].

High fruit and vegetable consumption is important because many are loaded with antioxidants.

References:

1. Bowden, J. 2007.  The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth.  Bevery, MA:  Fair Winds Press.