Final answer:
Vitamin C is the water-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant in the body, preventing damage from free radicals. It works in conjunction with other antioxidants like vitamin E and β-carotene to shield cells from oxidative stress.
Step-by-step explanation:
The water-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant and helps neutralize free radicals is vitamin C. This essential nutrient works alongside other antioxidants such as vitamin E and β-carotene to protect the body against oxidative damage. Vitamin C, found abundantly in fruits and vegetables, scavenges harmful free radicals in the blood, thus preventing damage to our cells.
Similarly, vitamin E protects lipids within our cell membranes from oxidation by free radicals. β-carotene, a provitamin, can be converted into vitamin A in the body and also possesses antioxidant properties. These vitamins play crucial roles in maintaining the structural integrity of cells by donating atoms to free radicals, rendering them less harmful.