Ven Griva, Contributor
COFFEE HAS provided another wake-up call, this time at the 230th meeting of the American Chemical Society in Washington, D.C. Joe Vinson, a professor of chemistry at the University of Scranton, told the gathering recently that the brewed beverage is far and away the number one source of antioxidants in the United States diet. Vinson led researchers at the University of Scranton who measured the antioxidants in more than 100 different food items.
"Americans get more of their antioxidants from coffee than any other dietary source. Nothing else comes close," Vinson said.
While fruits and vegetables are often promoted as good sources of antioxidants, the new finding is surprising because it represents the first time that coffee has been shown to be the main source for antioxidants for Americans, Vinson said. What's more, caffeinated and decaf versions appear to provide similar antioxidant levels, he said.
The potential health benefits of antioxidants ultimately depend on how they are absorbed and used in the body, a process that is still poorly understood, said Vinson. It will take further research to discover how well the antioxidants in coffee are absorbed, he said.
The timely news follows a growing number of reports touting the potential health benefits of drinking coffee. Coffee consumption is on the rise in the United States and more than half of Americans drink it every day, according to the National Coffee Association.
Antioxidants in general have been linked to many potential health benefits, including protection against heart disease and cancer. While the findings would seem to encourage people to drink more coffee, Vinson emphasises moderation.
"One to two cups a day appear to be beneficial," Vinson said.
If you don't like coffee, consider drinking black tea, which is the second most consumed antioxidant source in the U.S. diet, Vinson said. Bananas, dry beans and corn placed third, fourth and fifth, respectively.
The American Chemical Society is a non-profit organisation chartered by Congress with a membership of more than 158,000 chemists and chemical engineers. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C. and Columbus, Ohio.
SMILES AND MILES
The same regimen that can reduce the risk of heart disease and the onset of diabetes - a balanced diet, regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight - is good for your gums and teeth, too, according to a study published in the August edition of the Journal of Periodontology.
Researchers from Case Western Reserve University examined data from 12,110 people who participated in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and found that the people who exercised had healthy eating habits and maintained a normal weight were 40 per cent less likely to develop periodontitis, a gum infection that can result in loss of teeth.
People who had two out of three of these healthy habits had a 29 per cent better chance of avoiding periodontitis, the study's authors said, and 16 per cent in those who had just one of the healthy habits.
Conquering periodontal disease, according to the researchers, might mean more than just targeting the disease but addressing multiple risk behaviours. And, of course, researchers advised that regular tooth brushing and the use of dental floss are instrumental in maintaining good oral hygiene.
Advances in dental medicine have permitted more people to keep their teeth as they grow older. Understanding the underlying ways to prevent gum diseases has become increasingly important, according to the Case Western researchers. More than 30 per cent of the U.S. population suffer from periodontitis, an infection of the gums that can lead to heart disease, diabetes and pre-term labour.
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