Antioxidants and Human Health

Antioxidants can inhibit lipid peroxidation, protect brain cells, vascular endothelial cells, and nerve cells, and also have pharmacological effects such as the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, antihypertensive, and antitumor effects. Edaravone, Probucol, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and Idebenone are currently approved antioxidant drugs for the treatment of diseases related to oxidative stress. Furthermore, antioxidants are an essential component of the nutraceuticals market, accounting for a significant portion of the most common nutrients. People take nutritional supplements including lipoic acid, Methionine, coenzyme Q10, and beta-carotene to prevent disease.

Antioxidants and Food

In the food industry, Oxidation is one of the main reasons for food quality decline and short shelf life. Therefore, antioxidants are primarily used as food additives to prevent or slow oxidation, improve food stability, and extend shelf life. Synthetic antioxidants such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), propyl gallate (PG), and tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) are widely used in the food industry due to their excellent antioxidant activity and low cost. However, considering their safety, the public is increasingly opting for natural antioxidants.

Antioxidants and Cosmetics

Skin damage and skin aging can be accelerated by oxidative stress. Appearance is reflected in the formation of superficial fine lines, wrinkles, atypical pigmentation, and skin inflammation. The addition of antioxidants to cosmetics has the effect of slowing skin aging, protecting the skin and protecting the formula from oxidative damage. Vitamin C, resveratrol, astaxanthin, and ferulic acid are commonly utilised in skin care formulations as photoprotectants, photoaging retarders, and brightening agents.