6 Everyday Habits That Increase Oxidative Stress & Inflammation
Key takeaways
- She lives in Newport Beach, California, and enjoys connecting people to the food they eat and how it influences health and wellbeing.Image by Clique Images / StocksyJune 27, 2026Oxidative stress.
- ROS are unstable molecules that form naturally during metabolism.
- Over time, this imbalance can damage cells, proteins, lipids, and DNA.
Why this matters: practical guidance grounded in recent research or expert insight.
Author: Molly Knudsen, M.S., RDNJune 27, 2026Registered Dietitian Nutritionist By Molly Knudsen, M.S., RDNRegistered Dietitian Nutritionist Molly Knudsen, M.S., RDN is a Registered Dietician Nutritionist with a bachelor’s degree in nutrition from Texas Christian University and a master’s in nutrition interventions, communication, and behavior change from Tufts University. She lives in Newport Beach, California, and enjoys connecting people to the food they eat and how it influences health and wellbeing.Image by Clique Images / StocksyJune 27, 2026Oxidative stress. It's a word mentioned a lot when talking about about chronic disease or the benefits of antioxidants. But what is it exactly? Oxidative stress is a biological process that happens when the body produces more reactive oxygen species1 (ROS) than it can effectively neutralize.
ROS are unstable molecules that form naturally during metabolism. In small amounts, they serve important functions, helping regulate cell signaling, immune defenses, and adaptation to exercise. Problems arise when ROS accumulate faster than the body's antioxidant systems can keep up.
Over time, this imbalance can damage cells, proteins, lipids, and DNA. It can also activate inflammatory pathways throughout the body—creating a cycle where oxidative stress fuels inflammation and inflammation generates even more oxidative stress. Over time, this feedback loop may contribute to accelerated aging and the development of cardiometabolic, cognitive, and other chronic health concerns2.