Your Coffee May Be Healthier Than You Realize

We simply have a love affair with coffee. Many enjoy their brew straight black with nothing added, while others dive into the myria coffee flavors or their special gourmet blends or even more exotic organic selections. And sometimes we drink our java feeling guilty because we believe it does us harm. But does it really?

Did you know that coffee is chock full of antioxidants, an anticancer agent? If you’ve always thought coffee is bad for you, think again. Aside from keeping you alert and awake, coffee can also keep you young and fighting cancer.

So, continue reading for answers to some frequently asked questions about coffee and its antioxidants.

What are antioxidants?

Antioxidants are any vitamin or nutrient that can help prevent cancer or damage to the heart and other tissues caused by free radicals. By neutralizing free radicals, they prevent cell degradation. Antioxidant rich foods include blueberries, raspberries, dates, chocolate and, of course, coffee.

What type of antioxidants are in coffee?

The antioxidants found in coffee are called polyphenols. More specifically, the compound is methylpridinium. The antioxidant isn’t present in raw, green coffee beans, but is actually created during the roasting process.

How much coffee is enough?

Research has shown that people who drink one to two coffees a day have half the risk of developing liver cancer when compared to people who didn’t drink coffee. Meanwhile, drinking 4 to 6 cups of coffee can reduce your risk for type-2 diabetes by as much as 50 percent.

However, despite the reduced risk for these diseases and other cancers, like oral, esophageal, and pharyngeal cancer, doctors don’t recommend you start drinking 10 cups a day. Coffee is still a stimulant and a diuretic and if drunk in excess can cause heart problems, anxiety and possible dangerously elevated blood pressure.

Can I get these antioxidants from other sources?

The specific antioxidant compound of methylpridinium is only found in substantial amounts in coffee. While other food sources like cranberries, dates and other antioxidant-rich foods contain different types of antioxidants, coffee is the primary source for this particular compound.

(For other sources of antioxidants try bananas, dry beans, blueberries, pomegranates, lychees and the other foods listed above.)

A recent study also found that the vast majority of North Americans get most of their antioxidants from beverages and, in particular, coffee. The average adult takes in about 1300 milligrams per day through coffee and the next source is tea at a mere 294 milligrams per day.

Again, while coffee is one of our highest sources of antioxidants – a great cancer-fighting and prevention agent – coffee drinkers should always practice moderation. A cup or two a day may keep a number of common diseases away, but too much coffee can also cause problems. So balance is always a necessity.