This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Dietary Antioxidants and Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases" that was published in Antioxidants

Numerous epidemiological studies have demonstrated the association between oxidative stress and non-communicable disease, including cardiovascular disorders, mental disease, and several types of cancer. Oxidative stress is commonly known as an imbalance in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the biological antioxidant defense system. Exogenous antioxidants have gained great attention because of their beneficial role in preventing chronic disease. A balanced diet contains hundreds of naturally occurring antioxidant compounds, including polyphenols and vitamins. Antioxidants are commonly found in vegetables, fruits, cocoa, grain cereals, olive oil, nuts and beverages, such as coffee and tea.This book presents original research and reviews of literature concerning dietary antioxidants and human health.

Antioxidant use in health promotion and disease prevention either through dietary intake or supplementation is controversial. This book reviews the latest evidence-based research in the area, principally through prospective cohort studies and randomized controlled trials. It assesses major dietary antioxidants and discusses their use in diseases such as cancer, diabetes, stroke, coronary heart disease, HIV/AIDS, and neurodegenerative and immune diseases. The use of antioxidants in health is also discussed along with common adverse effects associated with antioxidant use.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are chronic diseases that include most ageing-related diseases, representing the main cause of death and disability in the general population. Inflammation and oxidative stress are common features in NCDs, responsible for the cell, tissue, and organ damage that contributes to the progression of these diseases. They may be also key targets for the development of novel preventive and therapeutic strategies. This Special Issue includes 14 peer-reviewed papers, including 12 original research papers and 2 reviews. Together, they represent the most recent progress in the field of several degenerative disorders, aiming to establish specific biomarkers, detailing the pathogenesis and the evolution of these diseases, making a correct diagnosis, and opening up new therapeutic strategies. Of relevance, many studies report the beneficial effects of natural compounds, derived from several plants, leaves, and fruits; their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties suggest their use as a dietary supplement for prevention and/or complement to standard therapies.

There has been intense interest recently among the public and the media in the possibility that increased intakes of "dietary antioxidants" may protect against chronic disease. Many research programs are underway in this area. Epidemiological evidence suggests that the consumption of fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of both cancer and cardiovascular disease, and it has been hypothesized that this is due in part to the presence of antioxidant compounds in fruits and vegetables. As a result, these compounds have been considered together by many people and loosely termed dietary antioxidants. Closer examination, however, reveals that compounds typically grouped together as dietary antioxidants can differ quite considerably from one another, both in terms of their chemical behavior and in terms of their biological properties. This report from the Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board provides a proposed definition of dietary antioxidants so as to characterize the biological properties of these compounds.

There has been intense interest recently among the public and the media in the possibility that increased intakes of "dietary antioxidants" may protect against chronic disease. Many research programs are underway in this area. Epidemiological evidence suggests that the consumption of fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of both cancer and cardiovascular disease, and it has been hypothesized that this is due in part to the presence of antioxidant compounds in fruits and vegetables. As a result, these compounds have been considered together by many people and loosely termed dietary antioxidants. Closer examination, however, reveals that compounds typically grouped together as dietary antioxidants can differ quite considerably from one another, both in terms of their chemical behavior and in terms of their biological properties. This report from the Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board provides a proposed definition of dietary antioxidants so as to characterize the biological properties of these compounds.

Non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension, represent the cause of 60% of all deaths around the globe. With proper diet and natural dietary antioxidant supplements, these diseases can be prevented by up to 40% according to the British Nutrition Foundation. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the literature on the health benefits of natural dietary antioxidant supplements. It presents state-of-the-art research and information as well as the global regulations, labelling, and health claims of natural dietary antioxidant supplements. Written by expert authors, the wealth of research is arranged by disease type rather than by supplement type making it much more useful to the reader. Filling a gap in the literature, the book is aimed at researchers and professionals working in food chemistry, nutrition, and health benefits.