As Dr Sarah Schenker, registered dietician, explained: “In the study Nescafé carried out, chocolate, red wine, tea and coffee all featured on the list of most popular items to give up, yet when consumed in moderation, all are excellent sources of antioxidants (AOX) – naturally occurring substances that may help protect the body’s cells from day to day damage.
“Coffee is one of the richest sources of antioxidants in our diet. It doesn’t matter whether you drink it white, black, cappuccino or latte, the high antioxidant content of the coffee is still absorbed easily by the body.”??
When asked about food and drink that are antioxidant rich, over half of all adults (59%) named blackcurrants, just under half (46%) named red wine and carrots (49%), whilst dark chocolate (40%) and tea (35%) both had respectable scores, but only 8% of respondents were aware about coffee’s antioxidant benefits.??
Antioxidants are important because they can help to protect our cells from free radical damage caused by oxidative stress. This can be as a result of exposure to UV light, pollution or cigarette smoke. In effect, antioxidants neutralise these harmful free radicals that may otherwise damage to our body’s cells.??
Dr Schenker continued: “Healthy eating plans should be about balance, making informed choices, and taking a sensible long-term approach. For instance, whilst the vast majority of Britons believe giving up coffee will benefit their long-term health, the reality is coffee can be good for you when drunk in moderation and is in fact one of the richest sources of antioxidants there is.” ??
Gary Williamson, professor of functional food, School of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Leeds, and a world expert on polyphenol antioxidants, said: “Coffee is in my top 20 lifespan essential foods list.”??
Healthy Eating by Numbers
Most Brits who start a healthy eating plan will give up by the end of the month. Here’s the news in numbers, from research by Nescafé:??
Antioxidants in a nutshell
What are they? Antioxidants are naturally occurring substances found in plant based foods. Common antioxidants include; polyphenols, vitamins C and E and carotenoids?
What do they do? Antioxidants can help protect our cells from free radical damage caused by exposure to UV light, pollution and cigarette smoke – in effect they neutralise these harmful free radicals ?
What are the benefits of antioxidants? Antioxidants can help protect the body’s cells from day to day damage ?
Where can I find them? In many everyday foods and drinks – fruits, vegetables, and beverages made from plants??
Source: Nescafé
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