Figure 1.

Graphical representation of the interplay between mitochondrial genome (and epigenome), dietary antioxidants, and mitochondrial health. Mitochondria produces energy but also ROS, whose overproduction might induce mitochondrial dysfunctions, also through the alteration of the mitochondrial genome. Dietary antioxidants, can promote the mitochondrial function by reducing ROS production, modulating epigenetic pathways and, thus, restoring cellular homeostasis. Since mitochondrial dysfunctions (in particular those triggered by ROS) are typical of neurodegeneration, the role of dietary antioxidants in preventing these multifactorial diseases can be central, and it might pass through the protection of genetic and epigenetic features of the mitochondrial DNA.