Every day, your body is exposed to free radicals, unstable molecules that can damage the cells in your body in a process often referred to as oxidative stress.

Where do they come from? Everywhere. Not only does your body produce them as part of normal metabolism, there are also many external sources such as air pollution, alcohol, pesticides, sunlight, tobacco smoke, drugs and fried foods. Even our stressful lifestyles are related to excess oxidative stress.

That’s where antioxidants come in. Antioxidants are scavengers that neutralize free radicals. Although your body produces its own antioxidants, they can be insufficient to protect against the total oxidative stress we all experience. In fact, scientists have already linked free radicals to many different types of diseases.

Consuming a diet rich in natural antioxidants, like those that come from fruits and vegetables, may help protect against free radical damage.

To read more about antioxidants in relation to oxidative stress, read an article written by Dr. Iñigo San Millán, PhD: Oxidative Stress and Antioxidants in professional Cycling: The Role of POM Wonderful