Table of Contents
What Are Antioxidants and What Do They Do for the Body?
The cells of our body are constantly being exposed to free radicals, which can interfere with the DNA and other vital parts. Antioxidants protect us from these free radicals and prevent cancer and other health issues.
Coffee is a potent source of antioxidants. And do not worry; this does not mean that your favorite coffee beverage will make you fat. But before we get into the health benefits of coffee, let us first look at what antioxidants are.
Antioxidants are chemicals that can neutralize free radicals without undergoing any changes itself in the process. Free radicals in our body come from various sources like stress, pollution, alcohol, etc.
If left unchecked, free radicals can interfere with our cells and cause damage. Antioxidants do not stop their formation, but it stops them from interfering with the cell membranes by neutralizing them.
Antioxidants in Different Foods
In addition, antioxidants are found in different foods to various degrees. Most plants have natural antioxidants in them. These are often called phytochemicals which are effective in fighting cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and other diseases.
Antioxidants are also added to many ready-to-eat foods as preservatives to increase shelf life. Some of the antioxidants are Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Beta Carotene, etc.
Coffee and Antioxidants
Coffee is one of the richest sources of antioxidants in our diet. One cup of coffee can have anywhere between 2 to 10 times more antioxidants than green tea. This is because coffee comes from dried coffee beans which are actually berries. Therefore, its antioxidants become more dominant during roasting and give coffee its bitter flavor.
In addition, coffee reportedly fights heart disease, neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and even some cancers. Coffee contains a staggering number of antioxidants, including chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid, powerful in anti-inflammatory properties.
How Much Amount of Caffeine Should You Take?
It is important to note that the caffeine content in your cup of coffee should not increase your blood pressure or interfere with other medications you might be taking. However, if you suffer from hypoglycemia, anxiety, or depression, you should take note of the amount of coffee you drink.
Coffee is a healthy beverage that can protect us from many diseases and keep our moods in check. So while it has been stated that taking too much caffeine will have negative effects on our health, adding a cup or two to your daily diet should be fine.
The Health Benefits of Antioxidants in Coffee
-Antioxidants in coffee are responsible for many health benefits because of their anti-inflammatory properties. These antioxidants also prevent cancer and delay aging signs.
-Another big advantage of antioxidants in coffee is that they can reduce the risk of stroke. Coffee drinkers have a reduced risk because blood vessels are relaxed due to the caffeine content in coffee.
-Coffee can also help with type 2 diabetes, asthma, and even weight loss. However, make sure your intake doesn’t interfere with any other medications you might be taking.
-Coffee has antioxidants, and it is good for your health. This is because coffee contains many beneficial compounds which are known to have antioxidant properties. Coffee also benefits the cardiovascular system, nervous system, digestive system, etc.
Related Contents:
Does Decaffeinated Coffee Also Have Antioxidants?
Both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee contain antioxidants in them. However, antioxidants in decaf coffee are not from caffeine but from other healthy compounds in it which are good for the body.
Do We Get More Antioxidants if We Drink too Much Coffee?
No, you don’t. Drinking more than 6 cups of coffee won’t give any additional benefits because the amount of caffeine increases in your body when you drink too much coffee, which is not good for your health.
What Happens When You Drink too Much Coffee?
You should be careful about drinking more than 2-3 cups of coffee because this will increase the caffeine content in your system, which will not be good for your health. In addition, it could increase blood pressure and even interfere with other medications you might be taking.
What Are Some Ways to Make Sure We Get Antioxidants from our Food?
You should eat a healthy and balanced diet to get antioxidants from your food. A balanced diet means you need to eat a variety of foods. Fruits and vegetables are an excellent source of antioxidants, and they should be included in your daily diet while limiting the intake of processed meats and refined grains.
When we eat unprocessed or minimally processed foods, we can get more antioxidants from them, which are important for good health.
How to Brew Coffee that Contains Antioxidants?
Brewing your own coffee at home is a great way to get antioxidants from it. However, because it does not get heated up too much during the brewing process, you should drink it black to get the most antioxidants out of it so that no milk or sugar gets added.
Whether or Not You Should Add Milk or Sugar to Your Coffee?
Do not add any sugar or milk to your coffee because that will reduce the number of antioxidants from it, which you can benefit from. Instead, use healthier alternatives like cinnamon or honey, which can add flavor to your coffee while still retaining its health benefits.
Conclusion
Coffee does have antioxidants, and coffee consumption is good for health in moderation. Don’t have too much coffee intake, and don’t add milk or sugar to it so you can still benefit from its antioxidant content. Be careful with what you put in your coffee; if you need something as a sweetener, use honey instead of sugar as it is a healthier alternative.
With that said, drinking coffee is good as it contains high levels of antioxidants which help fight various diseases that plague our society. You should drink black coffee to get the most antioxidants out of it. Drinking too much coffee will just increase the caffeine content in your body and not provide any additional health benefits.
It is also better for health if you drink decaf because it still has antioxidants, but they are not from caffeine. Drinking unprocessed and minimally processed foods will also provide us with antioxidants that are good for general health.