Do antioxidants hold the key to living longer? Scientists aren’t sure, but a new study shows a link may exist. The study, published in the May 5th issue of Science Express, found that animals born with the ability to make more of an antioxidant called catalase lived longer – 18.5% longer than others. Diseases of aging such as heart disease were slowed down or lessened in these animals.

Antioxidants help control damaging molecules called free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules lacking an electron – they attack healthy cells to steal this electron. The resulting damage which kills cells and harms DNA may be related to aging and diseases, according to some experts.

Researchers suspect this may explain why animals that could produce more antioxidants lived longer. This study supports the idea that free radicals are related to aging.