Antioxidants have become synonymous with good health. Antioxidants are class of compounds thought to prevent certain types of chemical damage caused by a surplus of free radicals, charged molecules that are induced by a variety of agents including smoking, pesticides and exhaust fumes. Research shows that scavengers of free radicals help in reducing heart disease and stroke and fight cancer. Free radicals that are produced are derived from oxygen and they constantly attack and damage the molecules within cells. The process by which reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage to the cells is referred to as oxidative stress. Cells utilise antioxidants to remove free radicals. In case, any imbalance between the production of ROS and antioxidant enzymes which is a defence mechanism, leads to an oxidative stress, that results in aging processes besides causing some pathological conditions. Studies show that ROS can cause liver damage, carcinoma, aging and cardiac diseases. The role of free radicals in many ailments has been well established.