About the Study | How Does this Affect You? You've certainly
heard of antioxidants. They are a favorite term of health
marketers everywhere, toted as a powerful element with numerous
health benefits. Antioxidants are believed to protect our cells
from damage by blocking harmful free radicals. These
antioxidants are abundant in our foods such as fruits and
vegetables. They are also sold as supplements or "healthy"
additives to many foods. Unfortunately, most studies in humans
have not shown a clear link between antioxidants and our overall
health benefits or disease prevention. Researchers in Australia
wanted to investigate the effect of eating fruits and vegetables
high in antioxidants, or taking a antioxidant supplements
(lycopene), in adults with asthma. The randomized trial,
published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that
a diet high in fruits and vegetables was associated with fewer
asthma exacerbations in adults. About the Study The randomized
trial included 137 adults with an average age