[The source of antioxidants]

Abstract

Free radicals are thought to play an important part in the phenomenon of aging, especially as regards the eye. Antioxydants represent an interesting means of limiting the damage due to oxydation, as is shown by a number of studies. Food is an unexpected source of antioxydants, which exist in the form of thousands of different compounds. Colored fruits and vegetables are known to be rich in carotenoids, some of which such as lutein and zeaxanthin tend to accumulate at the level of the macula. But there are plenty of other foodstuffs that supply the antiradical armoury, as has been shown by analytical findings over a number of years. Legumes and whole cereals have a very high antioxydant potential. Other items, from tea to...chocolate, contribute to providing antioxydants through food. Although some specific antioxydants appear so far to be particularly interesting, the results gathered over a number of years in various fields show the advantages of combining several interacting antioxydants. A diet with a strong vegetal component, without being vegetarian, provides a very broad range of antioxydants and thus appears to be an important defense against oxidative stress.