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Chemistry

The Chemistry of Antioxidant Mechanisms in Neutralizing Free Radicals

Quick fact

A single hydroxyl radical can oxidize and destroy thousands of lipid molecules in a cell membrane within milliseconds, but a single molecule of vitamin E can break this chain reaction by donating a hydrogen atom and neutralizing hundreds of radicals through its recycling.

Why this is interesting

Free radicals are unstable molecules that can wreak havoc on our cells, yet our bodies stay intact. How do antioxidants disarm these molecular troublemakers?