28 August 2005

Americans' Supply of Antioxidants


....come primarily from a cup of coffee. Black tea is second, and third, fourth, fifth are bananas, dry beans, and corn, respectively.

Antioxidants have long been promoted as protectors from cellular damage which can bring forth diseases like cancer, heart disease, and other aging-related illnesses. Especially when you already have an existing heart disease.

Fruits and veggies are rich in antioxidants, but it seems most Americans would rather have a daily java fix than eat those.
Europeans have red wine, Asians have green tea but Americans have their own source of antioxidants --- coffee, researchers reported on Sunday.

Americans drink plenty of coffee, which is high in antioxidants, compounds such as vitamins that fight damage to cells and to DNA, the study found.

But Americans are not eating enough fruits and vegetables, the sources of antioxidants as well as fiber and other nutrients that dietitians, scientists and doctors recommend, said Joe Vinson of the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania.

"Americans get more of their antioxidants from coffee than any other dietary source. Nothing else comes close," Vinson said in a statement.

[ Reuters Health, Aug 28 2005 ]


Coffee is good to a certain extent. But I don't think it is healthy to limit one's source of antioxidants to coffee alone. Especially when you have heart disease. You simply must learn to eat fruits and veggies, and make it a daily habit.

'Want more info on antioxidants?

Click on this: Best Sources of Food Antioxidants --- TOP 20 Food Items

3 reactions:

Anonymous said...

wheee... coffee has another good purpose.:)

yup, i almost went into med school, and thanks for dropping by.

Anonymous said...

Just when I have convinced myself to cut down on my daily intake of coffee, here's a report that tells me that I don't have to! I may increase my coffee intake a little. A steaming cup of thick black coffee without sugar does wonders in the morning.

These days I am into green tea and some oolong Chinese tea. And occasionally some mild black tea too.

Dr. Emer said...

Hello, Jey!

Bayi, I think you should just stick with green or black tea. ;)