Chapter 3: Dietary Antioxidants Check Access

Oxidative stress, an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants, is a key factor in chronic inflammation and metabolic diseases. High-fat or carbohydrate-rich diets exacerbate oxidative stress, increasing protein carbonylation and lipid peroxidation, while reducing antioxidant defenses. This chronic condition is linked to insulin resistance, metabolic dysfunction, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, particularly in obese individuals. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), collectively termed RONS, play pivotal roles in oxidative stress, originating from both extracellular sources (e.g., UV light) and intracellular sources (e.g., mitochondria). Antioxidants, including enzymatic (superoxide dismutase and catalase) and non-enzymatic types (vitamins C and E and carotenoids), mitigate oxidative stress by neutralizing RONS. Dietary interventions, such as the Mediterranean diet rich in plant-based antioxidants, can alleviate metabolic diseases by enhancing antioxidant defenses. This chapter delves into the mechanisms of oxidative stress, the role of ROS and RNS, and the impact of dietary antioxidants on health.