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Can Coffee and Tea Help You To Grow Younger?
Antioxidants in coffee and tea.
Many people know that antioxidant foods are good for them, but did you know that there are antioxidants in coffee and tea too? That's right - when you sit down for a relaxing beverage you could be getting the benefits of antioxidants! If you're not sure exactly what that means, read on.
What are Antioxidants?
Antioxidants are components in our food that slow down oxidation in the body. Oxidation releases free radicals that contribute to serious physical problems like cancer and heart disease. When you consume foods and beverages high in antioxidants, you dramatically decrease your risks for such conditions.
Some commonly known antioxidant rich foods include carrots, sweet potatoes, peaches, oranges, leafy vegetables, nuts, whole grain, soy-based items, cranberries and garlic.
Studies on Antioxidants in Coffee:
A recent study showed that coffee offers the most beneficial antioxidants of any beverage in the common American diet. This study reviewed over 100 consumables to see what level of antioxidants they offered. The conclusion was staggering. While the average person got 76 milligrams of antioxidants from a banana, drinking one and a half cups of coffee provide well over 1200 milligrams!
Now that doesn't mean you should go out and start drinking dozens of cups of coffee a day, but the one or two cups you may be consuming are certainly good for you. For example, women who drink this much coffee reduce their risk of type 2 Diabetes by as much as 30%.
Studies on Antioxidants in Coffee:
A recent study showed that coffee offers the most beneficial antioxidants of any beverage in the common American diet. This study reviewed over 100 consumables to see what level of antioxidants they offered. The conclusion was staggering. While the average person got 76 milligrams of antioxidants from a banana, drinking one and a half cups of coffee provide well over 1200 milligrams!
Now that doesn't mean you should go out and start drinking dozens of cups of coffee a day, but the one or two cups you may be consuming are certainly good for you. For example, women who drink this much coffee reduce their risk of type 2 Diabetes by as much as 30%.
Tea Tidbit
Black tea gets its color from a fermenting process while green tea stays green because it's only steamed and withered – not fermented. Tea also has flavonoids, another type of antioxidant that manifests when the tea is brewed.
One cup at a Time:
The antioxidants in tea and coffee contribute to overall wellbeing. In moderation these are an excellent addition to a healthy diet. So, drink up that cup of coffee or tea!
More on the antioxidant values in Teas:
Green tea
Black tea
Herbal Tea
Oolong tea
White tea
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