A new study
from the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania indicates coffee is
one of the leading dietary sources of antioxidants for Americans. Researchers
analyzed 100 of the most common food items in the American diet and
found coffee led the pack, contributing 1,299 milligrams of antioxidants
to the average American each day. Tea was a distant second (294 mg.)
and bananas fell into third place (72mg.). The results were based on
average daily consumption of these food products, and researchers were
quick to note that coffee, which can also increase cholesterol levels,
should not be substituted for a healthy intake of fruits and vegetables
and should only be consumed in moderation. The study also 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 ultimately depends on how they are absorbed and utilized
in the body, a process that is still poorly understood. /old_articles/foodsafety/coffee090305.cfm