Antioxidants are molecules that fight free radicals, which the body produces in response to environmental and other stressors. On this page: What are antioxidants? What is oxidative stress? Types of Antioxidants Food sources Should you take antioxidant supplements? Summary Free radicals have been linked to chronic health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and a variety of other health problems. Antioxidants can prevent or slow cell damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals can increase the risk of inflammation and a variety of health problems. Antioxidants are found in many plant foods and can also be synthetic. Vitamin E and vitamin C are examples. You’ve probably heard a lot of talk about antioxidants. However, few people know what they are. What are antioxidants? Antioxidants are components that fight free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage your body’s cells. Free radicals are compounds that can cause harm if their leve...
High blood pressure over a long period of time can lead to serious complications such as vision loss, stroke, kidney damage and heart disease. Proper management of high blood pressure can reduce the serious side effects. Photo by Getty images In this article: How do we measure blood pressure? Signs and Symptoms Is menopause a risk factor? Teens and young Children Causes How can blood pressure be lowered? What is a healthy diet? Tips to lower blood pressure Diagnosis Risks and side effects Decongestants How much sodium should you eat daily? Complications Summary Blood pressure refers to the force that blood exerts on the walls of your arteries as it passes through. Normally, a person's systolic blood pressure should be less than 120 and their diastolic blood pressure should be less than 80. Blood pressure is considered high(1) when the top number is between 130 and 139 or the bottom number is between 80 and 89, according to the American Heart Association. There are w...