Strenuous exercise increases the body’s production of free radicals, which, in turn, can cause muscle damage manifested as swollen or painful muscles. While exercise increases the body’s natural defense against free radicals, athletes who engage in intense training may benefit from the addition of an antioxidant supplement to their diets. Antioxidants work in a variety of ways to reduce the effects of free radicals.
Beta-carotene is a member of the carotenoid family. Found mainly in plants, carotenoids provide the vibrant red, yellow, green, and orange colors of fruits and vegetables, Carrots are a major contributor of beta-carotene. Typically, beta-carotene is a conditionally essential nutrient, but when one’s intake of vitamin A is low, beta-carotene becomes an essential nutrient, in that it must be obtained from food and cannot be manufactured by the body.
Antioxidants protect our cells from damage caused by radicals. Because of their function in cell protection, the benefits of antioxidants are far-reaching and not restricted to a single aspect of our health.