Coffee and Antioxidants

Coffee is one of the richest dietary sources of antioxidants in the Western diet.  It contains roughly 1,000 distinct antioxidant compounds in the raw green beans and hundreds more develop in the roasting process. If you are one of the millions of coffee drinkers in the US, this means you can enjoy your daily cup without guilt.

The core antioxidant compounds in coffee are: 

Chlorogenic acids (CGAs) are the most abundant polyphenols in coffee.  They regulate glucose, manage blood pressure and fight systemic inflammation. 

Melanoidins are nitrogenous compounds that are created during the roasting process.  They act as prebiotics to improve gut health and fight deep-tissue inflammation. 

Caffeine is best known for providing energy, but it also acts as an antioxidant to guard cells from oxidative damage.  

Trigonelline & Quinine are bitter compounds that add distinct aroma and provide antibacterial and metabolism-boosting qualities. 

The primary role of these antioxidants is to neutralize free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that trigger oxidative stress, damage cells and accelerate aging.  

The major health benefits of these antioxidant compounds include:

• Lowers risk of Type-2 Diabetes - Studies tracked by researchers at Harvard University showed that CGAs and quinine improve insulin sensitivity and regulate blood sugar. 

• Protects the heart - According to data from John Hopkins University School of Medicine, the anti-inflammatory properties of coffee help preserve vascular endothelial health, reducing strokes and heart failure.  

• Enhances neuroprotection - The mix of caffeine and cafestol works to limit brain inflammation. Regular consumption is linked to reduced risk of Alzheimers and Parkinsons Diseases.  

• Supports gut microbiome health - Coffee feeds beneficial gut bacteria that ferment polyphenols into short-chain fatty acids that protect the digestive lining.

• Promotes longevity - An analysis of 220 studies on coffee, published in British Medical Journal in 2017, suggests that drinking 2 - 4 cups daily correlates with significantly lower risk of all-cause mortality.

Are you among the Americans who drink 400 million cups of coffee each day? Coffee is a powerhouse of these powerful antioxidant compounds! The antioxidants found in coffee provide a wide range of benefits for a person’s health.

 

The following articles were referenced:

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35578955/

• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coffee-worlds-biggest-source-of-antioxidants#takeaway

• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coffee-worlds-biggest-source-of-antioxidants

• https://www.onemedical.com/blog/newsworthy/10-healthy-reasons-to-drink-coffee-2/

• https://www.povertybay.com/coffee-blog/beneficial-antioxidants-in-coffee-a-guide/?srsltid=AfmBOooUcUzyF1qU8KdiZofqJaQPjDsWJXwgTJxO8s5yL0Ct23TY5n0W

• https://www.medicinenet.com/which_coffee_types_have_the_most_antioxidants/article.htm

• https://www.rush.edu/news/health-benefits-coffee

• https://www.austinperlmutter.com/post/what-coffee-does-to-your-brain

• https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/9-reasons-why-the-right-amount-of-coffee-is-good-for-you (especially for women!)

 

Statements made in this report or on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration). They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. The information provided by this report or this website should not be used as individual medical advice.  You should always consult your healthcare provider for individual recommendations and treatment.