Winning against free radicals: antioxidants have your back—and your brain and your heart and your liver

4. Take plenty of C and E. "People who are involved in rigorous exercise use up more antioxidants, so they need to take in more," says Ji. "Getting extra vitamin E, either through foods or supplementation, is especially important."

5. Drink "Antioxidant-ade." Some evidence indicates that an acute dose of antioxidants taken immediately before and after workouts can reduce exercise-generated oxidative stress. Therefore, Ji advises consuming a sports drink that contains antioxidants. Revenge, Accelerade and G-Push all have antioxidants, as does Propel fitness water by Gatorade. Almost any type of fruit juice will work too, although you may want to cut them with water if they're too acidic.

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