EN
The paper aimed at presenting the role of major natural antioxidants occurring in foodstuff and their participation in antioxidation reactions. The antioxydants include, among the others, polyphenols, vitamins (A, C, E), microelements (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Se) and the carotenoids. On a base of numerous observations, it was stated that when supplied in a diet, they can protect from dangerous effects of free radicals and activity of other toxic oxygen forms; they also intensify the natural oxygen protective barrier the organisms form. The connections between the antioxydants' supply in food and risk of occuring some civilization diseases were discussed, too.