Plant antioxidants: an efficient protection against civilization diseases?

15 March 2010

Antioxidants, including flavonoids, ascorbic acid, carotenoids and tocopherols, help preventing from civilization diseases thanks to their action on free radicals. A recent study by a biotechnological institute in Warsaw insisted on the beneficial potential of such agent as the Resveratrol, in particular present in wine. However, the study also questioned the positive effect of beta-carotene and of flavonoids as supplements of diet: indeed, these supplementations might even create health risks!  Obviously, it doesn’t mean vegetables should be avoided: on the contrary, as a source of antioxidants, they present many benefits for health.