Coffee has the AOX Factor
New research reveals failing to ‘give up’ might just do you good
If you made resolutions to give up bad foods or cut out coffee, did you make it?
Studies show that most of us do not make it to the end of two weeks let alone the month or altogether.
The good news is if you are back on the coffee, well done its really good for you.
Chris drinks coffee like its going out of fashion and is the healthiest man I know but I have nagged him about his habit.
He loves it though and on the odd times he has tried to cut it out failed miserably.
He will be pleased with my latest review, one for the findings and one because it came with a jar of Nescafé Green Coffee.
As Dr Sarah Schenker, Registered Dietician, explains: “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.”
In fact, coffee is one of the richest sources of antioxidants there is,[iv]. 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[v].
When asked about food and drinks 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.
Gary Williamson, Professor of Functional Food, School of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Leeds, and a world expert on polyphenols, said: “Coffee is in my top 20 lifespan essential foods."
This table shows you the antioxidants in some common foods, note the carrots and green tea way below green coffee.
This table shows you the antioxidants in some common foods, note the carrots and green tea way below green coffee.
Antioxidants (mg per serving
Strawberry (166g) 480
Green Coffee (200ml) 452
Soluble Coffee (200ml) 387
Dark chocolate (17g) 316
Pomegranate Juice150ml 306
Milk chocolate (32g) 273
Red wine (125ml) 269
Black tea (195ml) 204
Spinach (59g) 170
Broccoli (72g) 142
Green tea (195ml) 121
Carrot (54g) 31
Green Blend is not the colour - it looks just like normal Nescafé coffee - but on the health benefits it can deliver.
Apparently the green beans used contain high levels of naturally occurring polyphenol antioxidants which can help protect the body's cells from day to day damage, which is good.
Dr. Sarah Schenker’s top tips on how to increase your antioxidant intake:
ü Consume plant based food or drink as the antioxidants they contain are there to protect the plant. That doesn’t just mean fruit and vegetables, it includes coffee, tea, cocoa beans, pulses and whole grains
ü Even if you are not a vegetarian, try to incorporate two or three vegetarian meals a week based on beans, lentils or pulses. For instance, why not have pea and lentil soup for lunch or vegetable bean casserole for dinner?
ü Rather than soft drinks or diluted juices, drink plant-based drinks between meals, such as coffee or tea
ü If you need a chocolate fix, choose dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa solids content, which has a much greater content of antioxidants compared with the usual milk or white chocolate
ü If you are a keen exerciser, remember that coffee is a good choice of pre-exercise drink. The antioxidants may help to keep you healthy and the caffeine may boost your performance
Green Blend is not the colour - it looks just like normal Nescafé coffee - but on the health benefits it can deliver.
Apparently the green beans used contain high levels of naturally occurring polyphenol antioxidants which can help protect the body's cells from day to day damage, which is good.
Dr. Sarah Schenker’s top tips on how to increase your antioxidant intake:
ü Consume plant based food or drink as the antioxidants they contain are there to protect the plant. That doesn’t just mean fruit and vegetables, it includes coffee, tea, cocoa beans, pulses and whole grains
ü Even if you are not a vegetarian, try to incorporate two or three vegetarian meals a week based on beans, lentils or pulses. For instance, why not have pea and lentil soup for lunch or vegetable bean casserole for dinner?
ü Rather than soft drinks or diluted juices, drink plant-based drinks between meals, such as coffee or tea
ü If you need a chocolate fix, choose dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa solids content, which has a much greater content of antioxidants compared with the usual milk or white chocolate
ü If you are a keen exerciser, remember that coffee is a good choice of pre-exercise drink. The antioxidants may help to keep you healthy and the caffeine may boost your performance
Finally
It’s bursting with antioxidants
It’s calorie free when drunk black (with semi-skimmed milk it’s only 19 calories)
It’s also fat and sugar free
It keeps you hydrated
Do you need any more reasons, get that kettle on!!
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