Regular intake of fresh fruits and vegetables is recommended in the diet since they are a good source of antioxidants. How do antioxidants help a person maintain health and promote longevity ?

Antioxidants are natural substances found in fresh fruits and vegetables that protect the body's cells from damage caused by free radicals [1]. Free radicals are highly reactive, unstable molecules produced as inevitable byproducts of metabolism, such as when the body converts food into energy [3]. They are also generated due to environmental factors like pollution and sunlight. If left unchecked, free radicals can cause oxidative stress, leading to cellular and genetic damage [3]. Antioxidants maintain health and promote longevity by neutralizing these free radicals, typically by donating an electron or hydrogen atom to stabilize them without becoming unstable themselves. This process stops the harmful chain reactions of oxidation that contribute to aging and various chronic diseases. While they protect lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates from excessive oxidation, their primary mechanism is the direct neutralization of free radical species [1].

Sources

1. [1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7698232/
2. [3] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1466856422000595