antioxidant

3 synonyms and 3 antonyms for antioxidant, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A substance that slows or prevents oxidation, the chemical reaction in which a molecule loses electrons, often to oxygen. In the body, antioxidants react with unstable molecules called free radicals; in food and cosmetics they are added to stop fats and other ingredients from going rancid or degrading.

Synonyms

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

free radical scavenger preservative stabiliser

Antonyms

oxidant pro-oxidant oxidising agent

How to use antioxidant

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

antioxidant properties dietary antioxidant antioxidant capacity rich in antioxidants

Used across nutrition, food technology, chemistry and cosmetics; in food marketing the word is often used loosely.

Etymology

From anti- meaning against, plus oxidant, a substance that causes oxidation.

Full origin of antioxidant →

Frequently asked questions

What is a free radical?

It is a molecule with an unpaired electron, which makes it highly reactive and liable to take an electron from whatever it meets. Antioxidants are substances that can supply that electron without becoming unstable themselves.

Is antioxidant a category of nutrient?

Not exactly. It describes a chemical behaviour rather than a nutrient class. Vitamin C, vitamin E and many plant compounds are called antioxidants because of how they react, but they are otherwise unrelated substances with different roles.

Why are antioxidants added to cosmetics and foods?

To keep the product itself stable. Oils and certain active ingredients degrade on contact with air, and an antioxidant in the formula slows that process, extending shelf life.

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