Antioxidant
Antioxidant, type of molecule that neutralizes harmful compounds called free radicals that damage living cells, spoil food, and degrade materials such as rubber, gasoline, and lubricating oils. Antioxidants can take the form of enzymes in the body, vitamin supplements, or industrial additives. They are routinely added to metals, oils, foodstuffs, and other materials to prevent free radical damage. Free radicals are produced under certain environmental conditions and during normal cellular function in the body. These molecules are missing an electron , giving them an electric charge. To neutralize this charge, free radicals try to steal an electron from, or donate an electron to, a neighboring molecule. This process, called oxidation, creates a new free radical from the neighboring molecule. The newly created free radical, in turn, searches out another molecule and steals or donates an electron, setting off a chain reaction that can damage hundreds of molecules. Antioxidants halt t...