FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Coffee is the most widely consumed antioxidant in the United States – Your morning brew is good for you, says researcher

New York, NY – Nov. 1 –  “Americans get more of their antioxidants from coffee than from any other dietary source. Nothing else comes close,” said Dr. Joe Vinson, speaking before a group of science and health writers here today. He added, “Both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffees seem to provide similar antioxidant levels.”

This is the first time that coffee has been shown to be the primary source of antioxidants in the American diet, even surpassing fruits and vegetables. Moreover, it doesn’t take much coffee to do the job. “One to two cups a day appear to be beneficial,” the University of Scranton professor said. He spoke at a symposium, Coffee: Breaking News about Health, Fitness and Performance, held at the Reebok Sports Club here.

Coffee can keep you alert and awake, and appears to have an increasing number of potential health benefits, including protection against liver and colon cancer, type 2 diabetes, and Parkinson’s disease, according to other speakers at the symposium. This is timely news, since coffee consumption is on the rise in the United States, with over half of Americans drinking it every day, according to the National Coffee Association.

Dr. Vinson said that antioxidants have been linked to a number of potential health benefits, including protection against cancer and heart disease. In his current study, the scientist and his group analyzed the antioxidant content of more than 100 different food items, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, oils, spices, and commonly consumed beverages. They compared their data to an existing USDA database that estimates the average U.S. per capita consumption of various foods.

Coffee had a high antioxidant content, and coupled with the largest U.S. consumption of anything other than soda and water, it was the greatest source of antioxidants in the U.S. diet.     In a final note, the scientist said 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 depend on how well they are absorbed and utilized in the body, something that the scientific community still doesn’t fully understand.  Nevertheless, coffee’s antioxidants are absorbed and they act as antioxidants in the human body, Dr. Vinson said.