a new study conducted by researchers at university college london has revealed that diets and creams claiming their antioxidant properties could slow ageing have little or no effectwhile conducting a study with nematode worms the researchers found that even those given enhanced antioxidant powers to deal with tissue damaging free radicals did not live longer the researchers said that there was no clear evidence they could slow ageing antioxidants are a staple of the beauty and health industries this has been based on a 50yearold theory in 1956 it was suggested that ageing was caused by a buildup of molecular damage caused by reactive forms of oxygen called superoxides or free radicals circulating in the body this is known as oxidative stress antioxidants supposedly worked to mop up these free radicals minimising their damage however the new could help explain why many studies aimed at proving the theory have been inconclusive the research team led by dr david gems genetically manipulated nematodes so that their bodies were able to mop up surplus free radicals however these worms lived just as long as the others suggesting that oxidative stress is less of a factor in the ageing of our cells and tissues as some have suggested the fact is that we dont understand much about the fundamental mechanisms of ageing the free radical theory has filled a knowledge vacuum for over 50 years now but it doesnt stand up to the evidence bbc quoted gems as saying it is clear that if superoxide is involved it plays only a small part in the story oxidative damage is clearly not a universal major driver of the ageing process gems addedhe said a healthy balanced diet was important for reducing the risk of many old age diseases such as cancer diabetes and osteoporosis but there was no clear evidence that eating antioxidants could slow or prevent ageing and even less evidence to support the claims made by antioxidant pills and creams