We've all heard the claims. Drink enough green tea and you'll live to be 100. Eat tofu every day to protect against cancer. Recently, there's even been research suggesting that eating curry helps to boost brain power.
One thing many of these claims have in common is that the food being lauded contains antioxidants.
These are compounds that prevent damage to our cells by preventing oxidation reactions. Due to their presence in fresh fruit and vegetables, and perhaps in green tea and tofu, too, antioxidants almost certainly keep us fit and healthy.