Why do we need antioxidants? What can provide antioxidant benefits?

June 12, 2026

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You've probably heard the term "antioxidant" a lot.

Skincare products claim to be antioxidant. Health supplements claim to be antioxidant. Even drinks claim to be antioxidant.

But have you ever really thought about it: Why do we need antioxidants? What can provide antioxidant benefits?

Today, I'll explain it all to you.

Our bodies produce free radicals during metabolism.

Free radicals themselves aren't bad. The body needs a moderate amount of free radicals to fight bacteria and transmit signals.

The problem is, when there are too many free radicals and the body can't handle them, they start attacking healthy cells.

Stress, air pollution, smoking, UV radiation, unhealthy diet—all increase free radicals.

This imbalanced state is called oxidative stress.

Category	Problem
Skin	Wrinkles, sagging, dullness, dryness, eczema
Brain	Memory loss, brain fog, fatigue
Cardiovascular	High blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, arterial hardening
Metabolic	Obesity, increased risk of diabetes
Inflammation	Chronic inflammation, joint problems
Aging	Biological age > chronological age

Simply put: Antioxidants help reduce oxidative stress in the body, slow down aging, and prevent chronic diseases.

Antioxidant component	Food sources	Characteristics
Vitamin C	Kiwifruit, oranges, broccoli	Water-soluble, aids collagen synthesis
Vitamin E	Nuts, avocados, olive oil	Fat-soluble, protects cell membranes
Polyphenols	Blueberries, red wine, green tea, cocoa	Diverse types, strong antioxidant power
Anthocyanins	Purple sweet potatoes, blueberries, mulberries	Protects blood vessels, eyes
Lycopene	Tomatoes, watermelon, red peppers	Better absorbed after heating
Carotenoids	Carrots, pumpkin, spinach	Converted to Vitamin A
Selenium	Brazil nuts, seafood, eggs	Aids antioxidant enzyme function

Eating more colorful fruits and vegetables daily is the most basic antioxidant strategy.

Component	Characteristics
Vitamin C	Most common, water-soluble, requires frequent replenishment
Vitamin E	Fat-soluble, protects cell membranes
CoQ10	Protects mitochondria, boosts energy
Glutathione	Antioxidant enzyme produced by the body itself
Resveratrol	Red wine extract, anti-aging
Curcumin	Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant

Supplements are more convenient, but pay attention to dosage; more isn't always better.

Hydrogen is an antioxidant method that has received significant scientific attention in recent years.

It has several unique advantages:

Characteristic	Description
Selective antioxidant	Only eliminates the most harmful free radicals, without affecting beneficial ones
Extremely small molecule	Can penetrate cell membranes, mitochondria, and the blood-brain barrier
Source elimination	Directly eliminates free radicals at their point of origin
Non-toxic	Metabolic byproduct is just water
2000+ studies	Confirmed by Ohta Shigeo's 2007 Nature Medicine study

Hydrogen does not replace natural foods, but rather provides a deeper, more fundamental supplementation.

Method	Advantages	Caution
Natural foods	Safe, diverse nutrients	Limited absorption, requires continuous intake
Supplements	Convenient, higher concentration	Possible overdose, non-selective
Hydrogen (hydrogen water)	Selective, strong penetration, source elimination	Requires specialized equipment

Goal	Recommendation
Daily maintenance	Eat more colorful fruits and vegetables + moderate amounts of nuts
Targeted supplementation	Consider Vitamin C, E, CoQ10
Deep antioxidant	Hydrogen water (penetrates cells, selectively eliminates)