Honey An Antioxidant

Throughout evolution, plants and animals have been constantly exposed to oxidative stress, high response, organisms have evolved to acquire, synthesize, store, and use antioxidant chemicals and proteins. For example, humans synthesize the antioxidant enzymes Cu-Zn superoxide dismu-tase (SOD), Mn-SOD, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase, and they can incorporate dietary antioxidants such as plant phenolics, vitamin C, and vitamin E into their tissues. 

Honey conveys both phenolic antioxidants and increases plasma antioxidant capacity (Nagai et al., 2001 Schramm et al., 2003). Honey contains flavanoids such as rhamnetin, kaempferol, naringenin, quercetin, and apigenin (see Chapter 31). 

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