Researchers at the University of Scranton found that coffee is the number one source of antioxidants in the U.S. diet.

“ Americans get more of their antioxidants from coffee than any other dietary source. Nothing else comes close,” says study leader Joe Vinson.

Although fruits and vegetables are generally promoted as good sources of antioxidants, the new finding is surprising because it represents the first time that coffee has been shown to be the primary source from which most Americans get their antioxidants, Vinson says. Both caffeinated and decaf versions appear to provide similar antioxidant levels, he adds.

He cautions that high antioxidant levels in foods and beverages don’t necessarily translate into levels found in the body.
The potential health benefits of these antioxidants depends on how they are absorbed and utilized in the body, a process that is still poorly understood, says Vinson.

Antioxidants in general have been linked to a number of potential health benefits, including protection against heart disease and cancer.

For the current study, Vinson and his associates analyzed the antioxidant content of more than 100 different food items, including vegetables, fruits, nuts, spices, oils and common beverages.
The data was compared to an existing U.S. Department of Agriculture database on the contribution of each type of food item to the average estimated U.S. per capita consumption.

Coffee came out on top, on the combined basis of both antioxidants per serving size and frequency of consumption, Vinson says.
Of all the foods and beverages studied, dates actually have the most antioxidants of all based solely on serving size, according to Vinson. But since dates are not consumed at anywhere near the level of coffee, the number one source of antioxidants is coffee, he says.

Coffee has been linked to an increasing number of potential health benefits, including protection against liver and colon cancer, type 2 diabetes, and Parkinson’s disease, according to some recently published studies.
But coffee can cause jaundice and stomach pains, while some studies have tied it to elevated blood pressure and heart rates.

. 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 source in the U.S. diet, Vinson says. Bananas, dry beans and corn placed third, fourth and fifth, respectively.

However, fresh fruits and vegetables are better from an overall nutritional point of view due to their higher content of vitamins, minerals and fiber,” Vinson says. Dates, cranberries and red grapes are among the top fruits for antioxidants on the basis of concentration ( antioxidants per serving size ), he says.
The study was partially funded by the American Cocoa Research Institute.

Source: 230th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, 2005


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