A heart shape made of vibrant fruits and vegetables, symbolizing the power of dietary antioxidants for heart health.

Can Antioxidants in Your Diet Really Protect Your Heart?

Avery Sinclair in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research explores how dietary antioxidants, not supplements, might be key to reducing the risk of myocardial infarction."

Heart disease remains a leading cause of death worldwide, prompting ongoing research into modifiable risk factors, including diet. While the role of antioxidant supplements has been debated, recent studies suggest that dietary antioxidants, found naturally in foods, may offer significant protection against myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack.

Previous studies have hinted at the benefits of diets rich in fruits and vegetables, linking them to a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, clinical trials focusing on single or multiple antioxidant supplements have yielded inconsistent results, sometimes even indicating harmful effects. This discrepancy has led researchers to investigate whether the complex mix of antioxidants in whole foods provides a more holistic and effective approach to heart health.

A new study from the International Journal of Epidemiology delves into the potential of dietary non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity (NEAC) – a measure reflecting the overall antioxidant potential of the entire diet – and its association with the risk of myocardial infarction. This research aims to clarify whether a diet rich in diverse antioxidants can indeed protect against heart attacks, offering a more nuanced understanding of how antioxidants impact cardiovascular health.

Unpacking the Science: Dietary Antioxidants vs. Supplements

A heart shape made of vibrant fruits and vegetables, symbolizing the power of dietary antioxidants for heart health.

The study, titled "Dietary non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity and the risk of myocardial infarction: the Swedish National March Cohort," examined data from a large cohort of Swedish men and women. Researchers followed 34,543 participants from 1997 to 2010, tracking the incidence of myocardial infarction in relation to their dietary antioxidant intake.

The Non Enzymatic Antioxidant Capacity (NEAC) was assessed using a validated food-frequency questionnaire. Participants were divided into quartiles based on their NEAC levels, and researchers used Cox proportional hazards regression models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for MI, adjusting for various confounding factors such as age, sex, BMI, physical activity, smoking status, and other health-related variables.

Key findings from the study include:

A monotonic trend of decreasing MI incidence with successively higher quartiles of dietary NEAC.
A 23% lower risk of overall MI in the highest NEAC quartile compared to the lowest (HR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.61-0.96, p for trend = 0.008).
A similar reduction in risk for non-fatal MI (HR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.56-0.92, p for trend = 0.004).
No significant association found for fatal MI.

These results suggest that a diet rich in diverse antioxidants may offer protection against heart attacks, particularly non-fatal events. The study underscores the potential benefits of obtaining antioxidants from whole foods rather than relying solely on supplements.

Embracing an Antioxidant-Rich Diet: Practical Steps for Heart Health

The study reinforces the idea that a balanced diet, rich in a variety of antioxidant-containing foods, is more beneficial for heart health than isolated antioxidant supplements. While supplements might not replicate the synergistic effects of various compounds found in whole foods, a diet packed with fruits, vegetables, and other antioxidant-rich sources can provide a more holistic approach to cardiovascular protection. Remember, always consult with healthcare professionals or registered dietitians for personalized guidance on diet and supplement choices.

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1093/ije/dyy220, Alternate LINK

Title: Dietary Non-Enzymatic Antioxidant Capacity And The Risk Of Myocardial Infarction: The Swedish National March Cohort

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: International Journal of Epidemiology

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Authors: Essi Hantikainen, Alessandra Grotta, Mauro Serafini, Ylva Trolle Lagerros, Olof Nyren, Weimin Ye, Luca Colarusso, Rino Bellocco

Published: 2018-10-22

Everything You Need To Know

What is myocardial infarction, and how can dietary antioxidants potentially help?

Myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, is a leading cause of death worldwide. It occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked, often by a blood clot. Dietary antioxidants, specifically, may offer protection against myocardial infarction by combating oxidative stress and inflammation, which are key factors in the development of cardiovascular disease. The study showed a significant reduction in the risk of non-fatal MI with higher dietary antioxidant intake, highlighting the importance of diet in heart health.

What's the difference between getting antioxidants from food versus taking antioxidant supplements, and why might one be better?

The key difference lies in how antioxidants are consumed. Dietary antioxidants are obtained from whole foods like fruits and vegetables, offering a complex mix of various antioxidant compounds. Antioxidant supplements, on the other hand, provide isolated antioxidants, such as vitamin C or vitamin E. Research indicates that dietary antioxidants are more effective in reducing the risk of myocardial infarction than supplements. The synergistic effects of multiple antioxidants and other beneficial compounds in whole foods likely contribute to this difference. Supplements also lack the additional nutrients and fiber found in whole foods, which are important for overall health.

What does non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity (NEAC) mean, and why is it important?

Non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity (NEAC) is a measure of the total antioxidant potential of a person's diet. It reflects the ability of various antioxidant compounds in food to neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress in the body. NEAC is significant because it provides a comprehensive assessment of the combined effect of all dietary antioxidants, rather than focusing on individual compounds. Studies use NEAC to determine how a diet rich in diverse antioxidants correlates with health outcomes, such as the risk of myocardial infarction.

How can I incorporate more antioxidants into my diet for better heart health?

To embrace an antioxidant-rich diet, focus on incorporating a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and other antioxidant-rich foods into your daily meals. Prioritize whole, unprocessed foods over supplements to benefit from the synergistic effects of various compounds. Some examples of antioxidant-rich foods include berries, leafy greens, nuts, and seeds. While the study shows a significant reduction in the risk of non-fatal MI with higher dietary antioxidant intake, it's always recommended to consult with healthcare professionals or registered dietitians for personalized guidance on diet choices.

What did the study find regarding the link between dietary antioxidants and fatal versus non-fatal heart attacks?

The study showed a significant association between dietary non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity (NEAC) and the risk of myocardial infarction, particularly non-fatal events, but not fatal MI. This suggests that a diet rich in diverse antioxidants may offer protection against heart attacks, improving overall heart health. The specific reasons for the lack of association with fatal MI are not entirely clear and warrant further investigation. It could be due to the complexity of factors contributing to fatal heart attacks, or the study's limitations in capturing all relevant variables.