Antioxidants are nature's weapon against harmful molecules called "free radicals," which are continuously created by the body as cells do their jobs. These unstable molecules can damage our cells and cause diseases such as cancer as we age.
Some antioxidants are made by the body, while others — like beta-carotene from carrots, lycopene from tomatoes and polyphenols from grapes — come from a person's diet. All are thought to prevent and limit the cell damage, or "oxidative stress," caused by free radicals.
