1. Coffee is a Main Source of Antioxidants
Professor Joe A. Vinson from the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania discovered that the average American consumes most of his antioxidants-healthy compounds found in plant foods-from coffee. Vinson and his research team analyzed over 100 foods and beverages and then compared the intake of these foods to that of the typical diet in the United States. They realized that not only was the intake of both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee the best source of antioxidants, no other foodstuff even came close.
2. Try Not to Rely on Just Coffee for those Antioxidants
You may be tempted to skip the produce isle and head straight for the coffee counter the next time you shop for groceries, but think twice. Coffee may just be the most common source of antioxidants in your diet, but other foods surpass its antioxidant capacity by far. Thousands of antioxidant-rich compounds are thought to exist in plant foods and each of these foods contain different types of antioxidants. Ideally you should seek to consume a colorful variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains in your diet each day (in addition to your cup of Joe, of course) in order to enhance your antioxidant intake.
3. What Antioxidants Can Do For You
Antioxidants such as the polyphenols in coffee beans are chemical-like substances that bind with free radicals, which left to their own demise, may damage normally healthy cells. The damage free radicals can do ranges from aging of the skin to damaging blood vessels to alteration of DNA molecules, leading to the development of cancer. While we cannot protect ourselves from the formation of free radicals-formed when our bodies metabolize food for energy-we can make sure we have enough antioxidants in our diets to bind with them and prevent cell damage from occurring.
4. Caffeinated or Decaffeinated, Coffee is Best in Moderation
Downing an entire pot of coffee probably isn't a smart move, especially if you don't currently drink many beverages containing caffeine. Too much caffeine in your diet may set you up for a host of problems ranging from insomnia, jitteriness and anxiety to more serious concerns such as elevated blood pressure and heart palpitations. Excessive amounts of both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee may contribute to gastro-esophageal issues like ulcers and GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease), and these types of erosions may progress to cancers of the esophagus or stomach. Do yourself a favor and limit your coffee intake to no more than two cups a day, be it caffeinated or not.
5. What You Add to Your Coffee May Negate its Benefits
If youâre a coffee consumer, you may be thrilled to know that drinking coffee has its benefits (other than keeping you from falling asleep at your desk). Not-so-healthy additions to your coffee cups like cream, nondairy creamer, whole milk and mountains of sugar, may actually negate those benefits. Consider switching to healthier options such as low-fat milk and cinnamon to sweeten your beverages.
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