Coffee is number one source of antioxidants
August 29, 2005
Coffee provides more than just a morning jolt; that steaming cup of java is also the
number one source of antioxidants in the U.S. diet, according to a new study by
researchers at the University of Scranton (Pa.). Their study was described today at
the 230th national meeting of the American Chemical Society, the world's largest
scientific society.
August 29, 2005
Coffee provides more than just a morning jolt; that steaming cup of java is also the
number one source of antioxidants in the U.S. diet, according to a new study by
researchers at the University of Scranton (Pa.). Their study was described today at
the 230th national meeting of the American Chemical Society, the world's largest
scientific society.
"Americans get more of their antioxidants from coffee than any other dietary
source. Nothing else comes close," says study leader Joe Vinson, Ph.D., a
chemistry professor at the university. Although fruits and vegetables are generally
promoted as good sources of antioxidants, the new finding is surprising because
it represents the first time that coffee has been shown to be the primary source
from which most Americans get their antioxidants, Vinson says. Both caffeinated
and decaf versions appear to provide similar antioxidant levels, he adds.
He cautions that high antioxidant levels in foods and beverages don't necessarily
translate into levels found in the body. The potential health benefits of these
antioxidants ultimately depends on how they are absorbed and utilized in the body,
a process that is still poorly understood, says Vinson, whose study was primarily
funded by the American Cocoa Research Institute.
The news follows a growing number of reports touting the potential health benefits
of drinking coffee. It also comes at an appropriate time: Coffee consumption is on
the rise in the United States and over half of Americans drink it everyday, according
to the National Coffee Association.
Antioxidants in general have been linked to a number of potential health benefits,
including protection against heart disease and cancer. For the current study,
Vinson and his associates analyzed the antioxidant content of more than 100
different food items, including vegetables, fruits, nuts, spices, oils and common
beverages. The data was compared to an existing U.S. Department of Agriculture
database on the contribution of each type of food item to the average estimated
U.S. per capita consumption.
Coffee came out on top, on the combined basis of both antioxidants per serving
size and frequency of consumption, Vinson says. Java easily outranked such
popular antioxidant sources as tea, milk, chocolate and cranberries, he says. Of all
the foods and beverages studied, dates actually have the most antioxidants of all
based solely on serving size, according to Vinson. But since dates are not
consumed at anywhere near the level of coffee, the blue ribbon goes to our favorite
morning pick-me-up as the number one source of antioxidants, he says.
source. Nothing else comes close," says study leader Joe Vinson, Ph.D., a
chemistry professor at the university. Although fruits and vegetables are generally
promoted as good sources of antioxidants, the new finding is surprising because
it represents the first time that coffee has been shown to be the primary source
from which most Americans get their antioxidants, Vinson says. Both caffeinated
and decaf versions appear to provide similar antioxidant levels, he adds.
He cautions that high antioxidant levels in foods and beverages don't necessarily
translate into levels found in the body. The potential health benefits of these
antioxidants ultimately depends on how they are absorbed and utilized in the body,
a process that is still poorly understood, says Vinson, whose study was primarily
funded by the American Cocoa Research Institute.
The news follows a growing number of reports touting the potential health benefits
of drinking coffee. It also comes at an appropriate time: Coffee consumption is on
the rise in the United States and over half of Americans drink it everyday, according
to the National Coffee Association.
Antioxidants in general have been linked to a number of potential health benefits,
including protection against heart disease and cancer. For the current study,
Vinson and his associates analyzed the antioxidant content of more than 100
different food items, including vegetables, fruits, nuts, spices, oils and common
beverages. The data was compared to an existing U.S. Department of Agriculture
database on the contribution of each type of food item to the average estimated
U.S. per capita consumption.
Coffee came out on top, on the combined basis of both antioxidants per serving
size and frequency of consumption, Vinson says. Java easily outranked such
popular antioxidant sources as tea, milk, chocolate and cranberries, he says. Of all
the foods and beverages studied, dates actually have the most antioxidants of all
based solely on serving size, according to Vinson. But since dates are not
consumed at anywhere near the level of coffee, the blue ribbon goes to our favorite
morning pick-me-up as the number one source of antioxidants, he says.
Besides keeping you alert and awake, coffee has been linked to an increasing
number of potential health benefits, including protection against liver and colon
cancer, type 2 diabetes, and Parkinson's disease, according to some recently
published studies. But there's also a downside: Java can make you jittery and
cause stomach pains, while some studies have tied it to elevated blood pressure
and heart rates. More research is needed, particularly human studies, to firmly
establish its health benefits, Vinson says.
While the findings would seem to encourage people to go out and drink more
coffee, Vinson emphasizes moderation. "One to two cups a day appear to be
beneficial," he says. If you don't like coffee, consider drinking black tea, which is
the second most consumed antioxidant source in the U.S. diet, Vinson says.
Bananas, dry beans and corn placed third, fourth and fifth, respectively.
But don't forget about fresh fruits and veggies, the researcher cautions.
"Unfortunately, consumers are still not eating enough fruits and vegetables, which
are better for you from an overall nutritional point of view due to their higher content
of vitamins, minerals and fiber," Vinson says. Dates, cranberries and red grapes
are among the top fruits for antioxidants on the basis of concentration
(antioxidants per serving size), he says.
The American Chemical Society is a nonprofit organization, chartered by the U.S.
Congress, with a multidisciplinary membership of more than 158,000 chemists
and chemical engineers. It publishes numerous scientific journals and
databases, convenes major research conferences and provides educational,
science policy and career programs in chemistry. Its main offices are in
Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.
The paper on this research, AGFD 10, will be presented at 8:30 a.m., Sunday, Aug.
28, at the Washington Convention Center, Room 203A, during the symposium
"The Potential Health Benefits of Antioxidants."
Source: American Chemical Society
number of potential health benefits, including protection against liver and colon
cancer, type 2 diabetes, and Parkinson's disease, according to some recently
published studies. But there's also a downside: Java can make you jittery and
cause stomach pains, while some studies have tied it to elevated blood pressure
and heart rates. More research is needed, particularly human studies, to firmly
establish its health benefits, Vinson says.
While the findings would seem to encourage people to go out and drink more
coffee, Vinson emphasizes moderation. "One to two cups a day appear to be
beneficial," he says. If you don't like coffee, consider drinking black tea, which is
the second most consumed antioxidant source in the U.S. diet, Vinson says.
Bananas, dry beans and corn placed third, fourth and fifth, respectively.
But don't forget about fresh fruits and veggies, the researcher cautions.
"Unfortunately, consumers are still not eating enough fruits and vegetables, which
are better for you from an overall nutritional point of view due to their higher content
of vitamins, minerals and fiber," Vinson says. Dates, cranberries and red grapes
are among the top fruits for antioxidants on the basis of concentration
(antioxidants per serving size), he says.
The American Chemical Society is a nonprofit organization, chartered by the U.S.
Congress, with a multidisciplinary membership of more than 158,000 chemists
and chemical engineers. It publishes numerous scientific journals and
databases, convenes major research conferences and provides educational,
science policy and career programs in chemistry. Its main offices are in
Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.
The paper on this research, AGFD 10, will be presented at 8:30 a.m., Sunday, Aug.
28, at the Washington Convention Center, Room 203A, during the symposium
"The Potential Health Benefits of Antioxidants."
Source: American Chemical Society
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