Nutrientes

Kaitlin G. Clark yWendy Dahl

Our bodies are made up of cells. Chemical reactions necessary for life are constantly occurring inside our cells, and sometimes they create free radicals — highly reactive molecules that can initiate damaging chain reactions known as oxidative stress. Antioxidants can inactivate free radicals and protect our cells from oxidative stress and the damage it causes. Antioxidants also can help our immune system defend against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and some cancers. The body produces some of its own antioxidants, but eating a plant-based diet increases the level of antioxidants in our bodies.

Inbar Schapsis yWendy Dahl

Flavonoids are organic compounds that occur naturally in plants. More than five thousand flavonoid compounds exist in nature, but those found in foods fall into six major categories: flavonols, anthocyanidins, isoflavones, flavan-3-ols, flavones, and flavonones. The compounds in these categories are of interest because of their potential health benefits.