shimmer

The main source of antioxidants in most American diets isn’t fruit or vegetables but coffee, according to new findings released at the annual convention of the American Chemical Society in Washington. For the study, which was partially funded by the American Cocoa Research Institute, Joe Vinson, a chemistry professor at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, and his colleagues analyzed the antioxidant content of more than 100 of the country’s most popular beverages and foods, including vegetables, fruits, nuts and teas. The antioxidant data was then compared to a U.S. Department of Agriculture database to measure the estimated U.S. per capita consumption of each food.

The researchers found that average adults consume 1,299 milligrams of antioxidants every day from coffee--far more than they get from any other item in their daily diet (and four times more than they get from black tea, which was second on the list). Antioxidants are vitamins and minerals that help prevent oxidation, a process that may cause damage to cells. Antioxidants have been shown to help boost the body’s immune functions and lower risks of heart disease and cancer, among other health benefits.

Should you drink more coffee? Vinton stresses that coffee should not be a substitute for fruits and vegetables. Foods like cranberries, dates and red grapes actually contain more antioxidants than coffee, but are typically consumed in much smaller quantities by most Americans. Drinking too much coffee can also be bad for those with high blood pressure or heart problems. Ask your doctor or nutritionist for advice.

Listen to the words of the Great Mother, She who of old was called among men Savarin, Nescafe, Folgers Crystals and so many other names...

Whenever ye have need of wakefulness, at least once in the day,and better it be when the sun is rising, then ye shall assemble in your kitchens and adore the essence of Me who am Queen of all Beverages. There ye shall assemble , ye who are fain to gain awakening, yet have not won open eyes, to these I will teach things that are yet unknown. And ye shall be free from coherence; and as a sign that ye be truly free, ye shall be yawning in your rites; and ye shall read the morning paper, make bacon and eggs, and drive to work, all in My praise. For Mine is the ecstacy of the awakened, and Mine also is joy on earth; for My law is sleeplessness unto all beings.

Keep clean your mug; let naught float upon its surface and so turn your stomach. For Mine is the secret door which opens upon the land of coherence, and Mine is the cup of the Elixir of Life, and the Cauldron of Caffeine, which is the Holy Grail of Insomnia. I am the Gracious Goddess, who gives the gift of wakefulness unto the mind of man. Upon awakening, I give the knowledge of the caffeine high eternal, and beyond morning, I give peace, and warmth, and tolerance of those with whom ye must interact. Nor do I demand aught of Saccharin; for Behold! I am the Mother of all Stimulants, and My love is poured out into your mug. -- from the link above, attributed to Amber Ravenstar

Posted by Jean on Tuesday, August 30, 2005 at 9:32 AM | Permalink