Free radicals are atoms that have lost an electron and can cause a lot of damage to health. Free radicals can steal electrons from surrounding atoms, destroy them and convert them into free radicals. When these damaged cells replicate, they are actually replicating the damaged cells and therefore can easily lead to illness and accelerate the aging process. Free radicals also damage healthy cells, killing and driving them away. Free radicals come from many places, here is a list:
Stress;
Pollution;
Smoking;
Drugs;
Food additives;
Pesticides, etc.
The body’s method of destroying free radicals is antioxidants. Antioxidants have more electrons to share with free radicals and encourage their transformation into healthy cells, eliminating their destructive properties. It has been proven that consuming foods or supplements containing antioxidants according to scientific methods can provide better maintenance and upkeep to cells, keeping us young and healthy. Foods such as vegetable oils, nuts, and legumes all contain antioxidants, but fruits and vegetables have the highest levels.