Antioxidants and Inflammation: Bridging Natural Remedies with Modern Technology for Healthier Living

Abstract

Inflammation is an abnormal process where the body responds to stimuli like poisonous compounds, infections, and injuries. “Injury” can be trauma, infection, or stress causing oxidative stress. These stimuli trigger the release of an immune response to heal damaged tissues and protect the body from the harmful effects of the stimuli. Antioxidants are substances that play a pivotal role in modulating inflammation by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitigating oxidative stress. They prevent the oxidation of an oxidizable substrate at low concentrations, and modulate inflammatory responses by the removal of oxygen, thereby preventing the development of ROS, which supplements the body’s natural defense. Antioxidants are classified into two categories: exogenous and endogenous. The endogenous can be enzymatic or non-enzymatic, while the exogenous are natural compounds such as vitamins and polyphenols or synthetic compounds such as metallic nanoparticles and phenolic compounds. The role of antioxidants in inflammation and inflammatory diseases is multifaceted. By counteracting oxidative stress and modulating inflammatory pathways, antioxidants act as protective agents against various inflammatory conditions. This review discusses the role(s) of antioxidants in inflammation and inflammatory diseases. The role of applications in providing personalised insights into nutrition to help optimise antioxidant intake has also been discussed.