Because phenols are easily oxidized, they are sometimes used as food preservatives. They are added to our food so they are oxidized before our food is oxidized. This helps keep our food from spoiling as quickly. BHA is a preservative added to fats to help keep them from oxidizing.

Foods that are high in antioxidants, like raspberries, often have polyphenols in them. The following is raspberry ellagitannin.