Antioxidants are natural enemies of free radicals because one of their functions is to break the chain reaction and destroy free radicals. Therefore, while antioxidants can be found in many fresh fruits and vegetables, it still pays to take antioxidant dietary supplement along with your food. Vitamin C antioxidant dietary supplement is perhaps the most famous form of antioxidant available. Red wine has always been considered more beneficial compared to white wine in preventing heart disease. Apparently, the antioxidant red grapes are the reason for that since red wine is fermented with the seeds while white wine is not. This most recent discovery of significant antioxidant red grapes adds to the growing reputation of the red grape as a healthful food. The first ever antioxidants to catch the attention of scientists and the vitamin supplement industry is beta-carotene or more commonly known as Vitamin A. Now, you can find antioxidant supplements in the form of Vitamin A capsules in almost any pharmacy or health food store. Beta-carotene antioxidant supplements generally come from orange, yellow, and green leafy vegetables and fruit. Natural Antioxidant For years now, man has been dependent on nature for his source of nutrients essential for his health. Plants are where we get most of our foods and our medicines, relying on them almost entirely for developing our bodies to their full potential and at the same time reducing the causes of degenerative diseases. According to scientific studies, one of the most significant factors contributing to the aging process is chronic inflammation. These are the identifiable inflammatory diseases which the body develops as we age. Chronic inflammation leads to damage in the cells of our brain, heart, arterial walls, and other body structures which are attributed as the cause of such illnesses as heart disease, Alzheimer's, senility, Parkinson's, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, prostatitis, stroke, and a few other diseases brought by aging. Oxidation causes the production of substances called free radicals which are highly reactive. These free radicals can readily react with and damage other molecules. Note that it says "molecules" so that means free radicals don't make the distinction between foreign bodies and healthy cells.