nutrients that block some of the damage caused by free radicals

Antioxidants are nutrients that block some of the damage caused by free radicals, which are by-products that result when our bodies transform food into energy.

substances that help to prevent cell damage

Antioxidants are substances that help to prevent cell damage.

compounds that help protect against free radical damage

Antioxidants are compounds that help protect against free radical damage.

molecules that inhibit the oxidation of other molecules

Antioxidants are molecules that inhibit the oxidation of other molecules.

substances that counter the effects of free radicals

Antioxidants are substances that counter the effects of free radicals.

molecules that help the body combat free radicals

Antioxidants are molecules that help the body combat free radicals.

compounds that can bind to and neutralize free radicals

Antioxidants are compounds that can bind to and neutralize free radicals.

compounds that stop oxidation

Antioxidants are compounds that stop oxidation (like the lemon stops the apple from turning brown).

man-made or natural substances that may prevent or delay some types of cell damage

Antioxidants are man-made or natural substances that may prevent or delay some types of cell damage.

free radical scavengers

Antioxidants are free radical scavengers and often possess the ability to reverse or repair the damage caused by free radicals in animal cells [82].

substances protecting cells from lesions, unstable oxygen molecules so called free radicals

Antioxidants are substances protecting cells from lesions, unstable oxygen molecules so called free radicals.

components that prevent the free radicals from damaging our cells

Antioxidants are components that prevent the free radicals from damaging our cells.

substances that destroy free radicals, which are compounds in the body that damage cell membranes, tamper with DNA, and even cause cell death

Antioxidants are substances that destroy free radicals, which are compounds in the body that damage cell membranes, tamper with DNA, and even cause cell death.

compounds in some foods that can help prevent damage to the cells in your body

Antioxidants are compounds in some foods that can help prevent damage to the cells in your body.

substances that fight free radicals – those damaging compounds in the body that can change cells, damage DNA, and even cause cell death

Antioxidants are substances that fight free radicals — damaging compounds in the body that change cells, damage DNA, and even cause cell death.

nutrients () vitamins and minerals

According to the Health section of How Stuff Works, “Antioxidants are nutrients (vitamins and minerals) and enzymes (proteins inside your body) that can help to prevent and repair damage to your body’s tissue.”

substances that neutralize free radicals — unstable oxygen molecules that break down skin cells and cause wrinkles

Antioxidants are substances that neutralize free radicals -- unstable oxygen molecules that break down skin cells and cause wrinkles.

substances that destroy free radicals, which are harmful compounds in the body that damage DNA (genetic material)

Antioxidants are substances that destroy free radicals, which are harmful compounds in the body that damage DNA (genetic material) and even cause cell death.