BeNeFiTs Of CoFfEe

Study affirmed coffee's benefits for its high level of antioxidants

Researchers from the University of Scranton released on August 29, 2005 that coffee is the No. 1 source of antioxidants in the American diet. Black tea is the second. Antioxidants are substances or nutrients in foods that can prevent or slow oxidative damage to our body. When our cells utilize oxygen, they naturally produce free radicals (by-products) which can cause damage to other cells. Antioxidants act as "free radical scavengers" and hence prevent and repair damage inflicted by these free radicals. Fruits and vegetables are hailed as the richest sources of antioxidants, but this study shows that coffee is the main source from which most Americans get their antioxidants. Both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee appear to provide similar amounts of antioxidants.

Editor's Note - Benefits of Coffee

There is peace to know that coffee offers some benefits to our health. However, these results should not be interpreted as an incentive to increase your daily coffee intake. Too much coffee may actually increase the risk of heart disease for some people. Published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition June 2005, researchers from the University of Athens found that coffee drinkers had more stiffness of the major blood vessel in the body than non-coffee drinkers. They suggested for people with high blood pressure or other risk factors for heart disease who drink more than 3 cups of coffee a day to cut down.

If you would like to eat more foods high in antioxidants, it is best to choose colored fruits and vegetables. Not only do they offer antioxidants, they contain higher content of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Berries, red grapes, tomatoes are good sources.