Why Performance Cyclists Should Take Antioxidant Levels Seriously

As cyclists, we’re obsessed with metrics.
FTP, VO2 max, watts per kilo, HRV, sleep scores—you name it, we track it. But there’s one crucial marker that too many riders overlook… and it could be the secret weapon that takes your performance and recovery to the next level.

I’m talking about your antioxidant levels—and why biophotonic scanning should be part of every serious cyclist’s performance toolkit.

What Are Antioxidants (and Why Should Cyclists Care)?

When you ride hard, your body produces free radicals—unstable molecules that create oxidative stress. This is part of the body’s natural process, especially during intense exercise, but when oxidative stress goes unchecked, it can lead to:

• Slower recovery

• Increased inflammation

• Weaker immune system

• Cellular damage over time

That’s where antioxidants come in. These are your internal defense system—nutrients that neutralise free radicals and help your body bounce back faster, stay healthier, and perform longer.

If you’re constantly pushing your limits but not replenishing your antioxidant stores, you’re driving your body into a state of chronic oxidative stress, and that’s a performance killer.

The Hidden Gap: You Might Not Be Absorbing What You Think

Here’s the issue: you could be eating a clean diet, even taking high-end supplements, and still be deficient in antioxidants. Why?

Because not all supplements are absorbed efficiently. And even with a great diet, our modern food chain often lacks the nutrient density we expect.

That’s why biophotonic scanning is a game-changer.

What Is a Biophotonic Scan?

It’s a non-invasive, 30-second test that uses light to measure carotenoid antioxidant levels in your skin—an accurate biomarker for overall antioxidant status.

No needles. No guesswork. Just a real-time score that reflects how well your body is being protected at a cellular level.

As an athlete, it’s like doing a lactate threshold test—except this one tells you how well your body can recover, resist illness, and repair from cellular damage.

The Performance Benefits of Higher Antioxidant Levels

Raising your antioxidant score isn’t about chasing a number. It’s about protecting your edge. Here’s what I’ve seen (and experienced personally) when cyclists raise their antioxidant levels through science-backed supplementation and tracking:

🚴‍♂️ Faster Recovery
Less muscle soreness and better bounce-back between rides or races.

🔥 Lower Inflammation
Reduced joint pain, tendon stress, and inflammation markers.

🛡️ Stronger Immune System
Fewer colds and illnesses that can derail your training blocks.

🧠 Sharper Mental Focus
Improved cognitive function and mood—yes, antioxidants affect the brain too.

💪 Long-Term Performance Longevity
Your mitochondria (the powerhouses of your cells) stay healthier, longer.

The Bottom Line

You wouldn’t skip your FTP test or ignore your hydration strategy. So why ignore your cellular health?

Getting scanned gives you a baseline, a score to improve, and a roadmap for smarter recovery and long-term performance gains. This is the next level of biohacking your endurance engine—and it’s wildly underused in the cycling community.

If you're serious about your cycling, it's time to add biophotonic scanning and antioxidant optimisation to your training plan. Your body—and your bike splits—will thank you.

Want to book a scan or learn what supplements actually improve your score?
👉 https://molperformance.com/book-a-scan
Let’s get you riding stronger, longer, and smarter.