Final answer:
Antioxidants like Vitamins C and E, as well as β-carotene, protect the body by neutralizing free radicals, which are harmful molecules with unpaired electrons. They prevent oxidative damage to DNA and cell components. Adequate intake of antioxidants is essential, as they support the body's natural defense mechanisms.
Step-by-step explanation:
How Antioxidants Protect from Free Radicals
Antioxidants are crucial for protecting the body against the damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules with unpaired electrons resulting from metabolic reactions involving oxygen, as well as from environmental factors like radiation and pollution. Antioxidants such as Vitamins C and E, and the provitamin β-carotene, act to neutralize these molecules. They perform this action by being oxidized themselves, thus stopping the destructive reaction cascades that can damage DNA, proteins, and cellular membranes.
Some antioxidants, like vitamin E, work specifically in certain parts of the body, such as the colon, preventing the oxidation of fats that could lead to cell damage. Others like selenium and vitamin C provide broader protection. In addition, β-carotene can be converted to vitamin A in the body, further helping to maintain healthy cell differentiation and slow growth rates, reducing the risks from disruptive free radicals.
Despite these mechanisms, sometimes reactive oxygen species (ROS) can accumulate beyond our natural defense capabilities, emphasizing the importance of a diet rich in antioxidants found primarily in fruits and vegetables to support these defense systems.