What role do antioxidants play in wound healing?

Antioxidants play a significant role in wound healing primarily by neutralizing free radicals. During the healing process, reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are a type of free radical, can be generated in the body. While ROS are important in certain cellular processes, excessive levels can lead to oxidative stress, which may impair healing and increase tissue damage. Antioxidants help to mitigate this by scavenging and neutralizing these harmful free radicals, reducing oxidative stress, and allowing for a more efficient healing environment. This promotes cell proliferation and the overall repair processes, leading to quicker and more effective wound healing.

The other options do not accurately describe the role of antioxidants in wound healing. Blood clotting involves different factors and mechanisms that are not directly related to antioxidants. Antioxidants do not serve as an energy source for cells; instead, they function to protect cells from damage. While inflammation plays a complex role in healing, antioxidants do not primarily act to inhibit it; rather, they help to manage oxidative stress that can arise during the inflammatory phase of healing.