COFFEE... 

is the #1 source of Antioxidants

  Coffee provides more than just a morning jolt; that steaming cup of java is also the No. 1 source of antioxidant in the U.S. diet, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Scranton. "Americans get more of their antioxidants from coffee than any other dietary source. Nothing else comes close," says study leader Joe Vinson, PhD, a chemistry professor at the university. Although fruits and vegetables are generally promoted as good sources of antioxidants, the new finding is surprising because it represents the first time coffee has been shown to be the primary source from which most Americans get their antioxidants. Coffee consumption is on the rise in the United States and more than one-half of Americans drink it every day, according to the National Coffee Association.

  Antioxidants in general have been linked to numerous potential health benefits, including protection against heart disease and cancer. Vinson and his associates analyzed the antioxidant content of more than 100 different food items, including vegetables, fruits, nuts, spices, oils, and common beverages. Coffee came out on top, on the combined basis of both antioxidants per serving size and frequency of consumption, Vinson says. Java easily outranked such popular antioxidant sources a s tea, milk, chocolate, and cranberries.

While the findings would seem to encourage people to go out and drink more coffee, Vinson emphasizes moderation. "One to two cups a day appear to be beneficial," he says. If you don't like coffee, consider drinking black tea, which is the second-most-consumed antioxidant sources in the U.S. diet, Vinson says.

- Source: American Chemical Society