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Galectins are a family of proteins involved in several cell processes, including their survival and death. Galectin‐3 has in particular been described as an anti‐apoptotic molecule entangled with a number of subcellular activities including anoikis resistance. In this work we partially address the mechanisms underlying this activity pointing at two key factors in injury progression: the alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential and the formation of reactive oxygen species. Overexpression of galectin‐3 appears in fact to exert a protective effect towards both these events. On the basis of these data, we propose a reappraisal of the role of galectin‐3 as a regulator of mitochondrial homeostasis.