Fortunately there are now various scientific studies that are addressing this question. By keeping the low density lipoproteins that carry cholesterol from undergoing oxidation by free radicals, antioxidants prevent the damage to arteries that starts the progression of events that lead to heart disease.
Free radicals are toxic substances that are created as metabolic waste by our cells.
Countless more free radicals are produced during stresses to the body. In the body antioxidants are the agents that both destroy and neutralize free radicals to help reduce inflammation and relieve its symptoms. Antioxidants combat the oxidation and damage caused by free radicals. Research has demonstrated that antioxidants neutralize free radicals, stopping them from starting the chain reaction that contributes to various diseases and conditions. An important fact to know about antioxidants is that they work best in combination, and work especially well in the particular combination .