Category of antioxidant based on solubility

Antioxidants are a class of chemical substances naturally found in food that can inhibit the formation and spread of free radicals which can be damaging in biological systems. Free radical damage may lead to cancer. Examples of antioxidants include vitamin C, vitamin E, α-carotene, licopein, selenium, polyphenol, glutathione, proxidase, cystine.

Based on their solubility, antioxidants are categorized into two groups:
*Water soluble
*Lipid soluble.

Water-soluble antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid, glutathione, and uric acid, have functions in the cell cytosol and the blood plasma.

The lipid-soluble antioxidants including vitamin E, ubiquinol and carotenoids are the examples of lipid soluble antioxidants and protect the cell membranes from lipid peroxidation. Total lipid-soluble antioxidant activity was highest in mucosa from the duodenum followed by the jejunum, with much lower activities in the ileum, ceca and colon.

Fruit juices, beverages and hot drinks are rich of antioxidants, such as polyphenols, vitamin C, vitamin E, Maillard reaction products, β -carotene, and lycopene. β - carotene can be found in many foods that are orange in color. This include sweet potatoes, carrots, cantaloupe, squash, apricots, pumpkin and mangoes.  
Category of antioxidant based on solubility