What is the main function of antioxidants in the diet?

Antioxidants play a crucial role in maintaining health by neutralizing free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can cause oxidative stress and damage cells. Oxidative stress is linked to various chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders. By neutralizing free radicals, antioxidants help prevent cellular damage and support the body’s overall health and longevity.

While enhancing flavor, providing energy, and assisting in digestion are important functions in the context of food and nutrition, they do not accurately define the primary role of antioxidants. Antioxidants don’t provide energy like macronutrients do; instead, they perform a protective function. Therefore, the focus on the ability of antioxidants to mitigate oxidative stress is what underscores their significance in the diet.