What Are Antioxidants?
Antioxidants are powerful molecules that can protect our bodies from the damage caused by free radicals. They are found naturally in many foods, such as fruits and vegetables, and can also be taken as supplements. Antioxidants help to neutralize free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can cause oxidative stress in the body. This oxidative stress has been linked to a number of chronic diseases, such as cancer and heart disease.
By consuming antioxidant-rich foods and supplements, we can reduce our risk of these diseases and improve our overall health.
Is Coffee An Antioxidant?
Coffee is a popular beverage that is consumed around the world. It is also known for its health benefits, including its high levels of antioxidants. Antioxidants are compounds that help protect our body from damage caused by free radicals, which can lead to chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease. This article will discuss the various sources of antioxidants in coffee and how they can help protect our body.
Coffee has a surprisingly high antioxidant content by weight relative to other common foods. On average people consume between 1-2 grams of antioxidants per day, most of this coming from tea and coffee or other drinks. Research shows around 80% of dietary antioxidants come from drinks and 20% from food. Although there are foods that contain higher levels of antioxidants than coffee (such as raspberries, blueberries, blackberries etc.) most people don’t consume large quantities on a daily basis of these products in the same way they drink coffee on a daily basis, even multiple times a day.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Coffee.
- coffee drinkers have a 23–50% lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
- coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of liver cirrhosis.
- several studies have observed a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke.
- it may lower your risk of liver and colorectal cancer.
- coffee may also reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease by 32–65%.
- studies indicate that coffee may benefit other aspects of mental health.
However, too much caffeine can lead to seizures, restlessness, anxiety and more. Light roasts tend to have more caffeine so if you are wanting a lower level of caffeine then stick to either a decaf or a dark roast.
Spicing up your coffee with turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, or unsweetened cocoa powder can add antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Which Coffee Has The Highest Antioxidants?
Research shows that un-roasted Robusta beans contain almost double the antioxidants of un-roasted Arabica beans. Though roasting seems to decrease the difference in antioxidant levels. It’s recommended that if you like a light roast go with a Robusta bean and if you like a medium to dark roast then select the Arabica bean.
Light / blonde roasts typically have a higher antioxidant level than dark roasts.
What Antioxidants Are In Coffee?
- hydrocinnamic acids – effective at neutralizing free radicals and preventing oxidative stress.
- polyphenols – may prevent a number of conditions, such as heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.
If you’re sensitive to caffeine or have anxiety or a heart condition, you might need to switch to decaf coffee. (Decaf also contains antioxidants and in many studies shows similar health benefits as full-strength coffee.)
Also if your are diabetic, make sure to avoid sweetened coffee.
What Makes Coffee More Or Less Healthy?
How you drink your coffee and how it is brewed can affect how healthy it is for your body. Different types of coffee have different levels of antioxidants. Coffee can also have high levels of mold which is bad for your health. Also how much sweetener or dairy you add to your coffee can affect the health benefits.
Research also shows that brewing temperature doesn’t seem to affect antioxidant levels in coffee. But be careful not to over-boil your coffee.
Drinking your coffee black with no sweetener appears to be the healthiest way to drink coffee.
Which Antioxidant Coffee Brands Do I Recommend?
Purity Coffee – www.puritycoffee.com
Four Sigmatic – www.foursigmatic.com
Remember even if you drink coffee it’s important to eat a diet rich in a variety of different antioxidants so make sure to consume other antioxidant rich foods and teas. Also check out my favorite antioxidant rich chocolate brand HERE.
Tiffany x