According to http://www.positivelycoffee.org,
Coffee is confirmed as a significant source
of antioxidants in the diet.
Although much remains to be learned, antioxidants may be of great benefit in improving the quality of life by helping to prevent or postpone the onset of degenerative diseases. There is evidence implicating them as probably being protective in the development of cancer, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and cataracts.
As a result, many countries have recommended an increase in consumption of fruit and vegetables, as they are known to reduce the risk of such degenerative diseases. However recent research in Norway (Svilaas 2004) has further supported the important role played by coffee as a significant source of antioxidants in the diet. Chlorogenic acid (a combination of caffeic acid and quinic acid) is the most abundant polyphenol in coffee and is likely to represent a substantial part of coffee antioxidants. Recent studies also suggest that these coffee antioxidants are not only present in coffee, but are also available and active in the body. Coffee has already been linked with reduced incidence of gallstones, liver cirrhosis and Type 2 diabetes and coffee is being increasingly indicated to be protective in model cancer studies.
Whilst the mechanisms are not yet fully understood, these results present a exciting and significant addition to our knowledge about the beneficial role drinking coffee can make to our health.
To read more the article go to http://www.positivelycoffee.org/topic_antioxidant_latest.aspx
