Antioxidants are widely used in many fields, mainly including food, plastics, medicine and cosmetics.
Food field
In food, antioxidants are mainly used to prevent or delay food oxidation, improve food stability and extend storage period. Antioxidants can prevent oils and other ingredients from deteriorating due to oxidation, thereby extending the shelf life of food. Common food antioxidants include vitamin C, vitamin E, polyphenols, flavonoids, etc.
Plastic field
In polymer materials such as plastics, antioxidants can delay or inhibit the decomposition process of materials when exposed to oxygen, prevent material aging and extend service life. Antioxidants are usually added to plastics to protect plastic products from oxidation and extend their service life. According to different mechanisms of action, antioxidants can be divided into primary antioxidants and secondary antioxidants. The former directly eliminates free radicals, while the latter indirectly inhibits the generation of free radicals by decomposing hydroperoxides.
Medical field
In the medical field, antioxidants have a variety of functions, including scavenging free radicals, delaying aging, improving vision, and preventing cardiovascular diseases. For example, antioxidants can protect cells from free radical damage and reduce oxidative stress, thereby reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease. In addition, antioxidants can promote the growth of rhodopsin in the eyes, improve blood circulation in the eyes, and help prevent myopia and cataracts.
Cosmetic field
In cosmetics, antioxidants are used to protect the skin from free radical damage and delay skin aging. Free radicals can damage skin cells and cause skin aging. By using antioxidants, free radicals can be effectively removed, skin health can be protected, and the aging process can be delayed.