For this review, researchers based primarily in Asia and the UK combed through existing research to make a more definitive statement about the impact of antioxidants on the gut microbiome. Antioxidants, the authors write, essentially “scavenge free radicals” in the body. If we have too many free radicals and not enough antioxidants, it leads to oxidative stress—a condition that is detrimental to our skin, cognition, and—you guessed it—our gut. “Many studies report that prolonged exposure to reactive oxygen species (ROS) can result in microbial dysbiosis2,” the study reads, and this dysbiosis (essentially, an imbalance between good bacteria and bad bacteria) can contribute to a whole host of GI issues, as well as chronic fatigue, inflammation, food intolerances, and even diseases like cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity. This means that increasing your antioxidant intake is a solid strategy for keeping oxidative stress down and gut health up. Introducing dietary supplements to your routine is another way to keep your microbiota in tiptop shape. You can opt for a supplement that isolates potent antioxidants like vitamin C and zinc or contains antioxidant-rich ingredients such as turmeric—which has been shown to neutralize free radicals and protect the body from oxidative stress. The review authors note that it’s especially important to prioritize antioxidant-rich ingredients following periods of poor gut health, like after you take antibiotic medication or indulge in lots of delicious (but not so gut-friendly) sweets and highly processed foods. Emma received her B.A. in Environmental Science & Policy with a specialty in environmental communications from Duke University. In addition to penning over 1,000 mbg articles on topics from the water crisis in California to the rise of urban beekeeping, her work has appeared on Grist, Bloomberg News, Bustle, and Forbes. She’s spoken about the intersection of self-care and sustainability on podcasts and live events alongside environmental thought leaders like Marci Zaroff, Gay Browne, and Summer Rayne Oakes.
