Disease prevention by natural antioxidants and prebiotics acting as ROS scavengers in the gastrointestinal tract

Natural antioxidants derived from plants become increasingly popular as functional food and feed ingredients. This viewpoint article highlights the emerging antioxidant character of natural non-structural carbohydrates, with focus on those plant-derived compounds that have dual antioxidative and prebiotic properties. In parallel to more indirect action mechanisms, it is proposed here that such compounds are involved in direct ROS scavenging processes in plants, in food and in the gastrointestinal tract, counteracting oxidative stress and preventing pathogen outbreaks and the development of ROS-related diseases.