Denham Harman Proposes The Free Radical Theory Of Aging


Who:Denham Harman
When:July 1 1956
Institution: University of California - Berkeley
Where: Berkeley, California, U.S.A

In 1956 Denham Harman proposed that free oxygen radicals produced in the body cause aging, and further stated that "reducing compounds" (what we would know call antioxidants) might represent a "chemical means of prolonging effective life" and that these molecules "might be of benefit in the field of cancer chemotherapy and nutrition."

In short, Harman's insight gave birth to the wide spread popularity of antioxidants found in chocolate, coffee, tea, wine, fruits, and vegetables.

References

  1. Harman, D. Aging: a theory based on free radical and radiation chemistry. J Gerontol. 1956 Jul;11(3):298-300.

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