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Antioxidants are substances that protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules generated during normal metabolic processes. They neutralize free radicals by donating electrons, helping to prevent oxidative stress and associated health issues.
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Editorial responsibilityReferences and further reading
- Huang, Q., Liu, H., Suzuki, K., Ma, S., & Liu, C. (2019). Linking what we eat to our mood: A review of diet, dietary antioxidants, and depression. Antioxidants, 8(9), 376. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox8090376. PMID: 31491962. View source
- Colombage, R. L., Barfoot, K. L., & Lamport, D. J. (2026). Effects of dietary flavonoids on mood and mental health: A systematic review. Nutrition Reviews, 84(4), 734–750. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuaf188. PMID: 41237379 View source
How to cite this entry
CNP (2026). Antioxidants. In CNP Encyclopedia Editorial Board (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Nutritional Psychology. The Center for Nutritional Psychology.
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