How do free radicals produced during exercise influence micronutrient needs?

• A. Free radicals are neutralized only by increasing dietary fat intake, so athletes should markedly increase saturated fat to counteract oxidative molecules during training.
• B. Exercise increases free radical production, so antioxidant vitamins like C and E may be needed in slightly higher amounts to stabilize those radicals and protect tissues, although a balanced diet usually suffices.
• C. Because free radicals are only produced in sedentary people, physically active individuals have no antioxidant requirements and can rely solely on endogenous enzymes without dietary support.
• D. Free radicals produced during exercise are always beneficial and require deliberate reduction of dietary antioxidants to promote adaptive stress responses; therefore athletes should avoid vitamin C and E entirely.

Answer: (B)