How does riboflavin act as an antioxidant in the body?

Riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2, plays a crucial role as an antioxidant in the body primarily by reducing oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (free radicals) and the body's ability to neutralize them with antioxidants. Riboflavin is a key component in the production of flavoproteins, which are essential for various enzymatic reactions in the body, including those involved in the antioxidant defense system.

Specifically, riboflavin is a precursor to coenzymes that assist in the metabolism of other antioxidants, such as glutathione, which works to scavenge free radicals and reduce oxidative damage to cells. By facilitating these processes, riboflavin helps to maintain the body's overall antioxidant capacity, thereby protecting against cellular damage and contributing to overall health.

The other options, while important bodily functions, do not connect riboflavin's role as directly to its antioxidant properties. Promoting collagen synthesis relates to other vitamins such as vitamin C, enhancing iron absorption is primarily linked to vitamin C and other factors, and regulating calcium levels is associated with vitamins like D, highlighting that riboflavin's defining contribution in this context is its function in reducing oxidative stress