Nutrition Journal Antioxidant Food Chart

[jodi f.]

The latest article alert from BioMed Central has an article from Nutrition Journal concerning the antioxidant content of 3100 foods. They've compiled this information into a couple of charts, which you can download from the PDF article linked below. There's interesting information contained within it (coffee lovers rejoice). Don't overlook the herbs and spices. Impressive. And students, this looks like solid research that you can use as reference material for assignments. I think one of the important take-aways is that the foods all vary so widely in their antioxidant content, no doubt based on where and how they were grown, how long they sat around before getting to market, how they were prepared. This really drives home the point about varying our foods to maximize our nutrients.

http://www.nutritionj.com/content/pdf/1475-2891-9-3.pdf

[NicoleP]

Wow!  This is wonderful, thanks Jodi!

[AndrienneY]

In addition to that, I found a Natural News article that specifically discusses the benefits of drinking coffee: http://www.NaturalNews.com/028036_coffee_antioxidants.html

So what is it in coffee that provides such remarkable benefits? First, that cup of java is a terrific source of protective antioxidants.

[blujay]

Ahhh, the health reports that support our habits....I must disagree that Coffee is a good source of antioxidants and therefore good for our health. (especially in the amounts they recommend in the original article...6 cups per day!)

Yes I do agree that coffee has significant amounts of antioxidants, yet this one dimensional view of foods can get us in trouble. If its just about antioxidants, then simple mint tea has 10X the amount compared to coffee...

Drinking such a stimulating compound is very unbalancing...just try to go off for a day or two if you are a regular coffee drinker and you'll see what I mean. Such a dependency that can cause imbalances (among other health concerns)  I can't see how this would be good for your mental/emotional/relational/physical health.

My concerns about coffee could fill a volume...but this article can sum it up nicely. Only one caveat...I think it can help to induce and disturb blood sugar regulation disorders, whereas this article doesn't make that connection.  One of the biggest concerns for womans health would be the reduced iron and other mineral absorption from the tannins. 

http://food-facts.suite101.com/article.cfm/adverse_effects_of_coffee_drinkingh




Here is probably the best synapsis of the state of affairs surrounding coffee:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2003/12/10/coffee-part-two.aspx



Consider this also, coffee is roasted to a VERY high temperature (400-600+degrees), and when you do this with ANY food you are producing VERY cancerous and detrimental compounds while destroying the nutritional integrity of the original food.

Sorry to burst your Coffee bubble...but I don't think this fits in the category of "Booster Foods"...

Don't kill the coffee messenger...
j

[myqute]

Coffee's polyphenols are good, but the caffeine is cause for concerm (actually a poison and related to loss of bone density).  There are many more chemicals in coffee not yet studied.

And most people forget that ground coffee is oxidising (open to free radical attacks) before it's even mixed into water to make your fav. cuppa.

[LauraHe]

Thanks for this valuable information. I plan to use this Food Chart personally and professionally. I am amazed and delighted of the powerful tool phytonutrients provide in both fighting chronic oxidative stress diseases, and creating colorful and flavorful meals. In addition, this reading reinforces the importance of a plant based food, which is the base in our studies. Finally, I will introduce some food items that are that I don't use:Billberries dried, Indian Goosberries dried, and Dog Rose dried.

[VeronicaH]

September 20, 2010

I have to agree with blujay about the misleading studies that promote coffee as a "health drink". I used to be a heavy coffee drinker and I can say from experience that the withdrawals associated with stopping the dependency are horrible. It took me several months to get back some semblance of normalcy after kicking coffee to the curb. I currently have a client that I am trying to help let go of her coffee addiction. It is a difficult task but I believe that it can be done.

Be Well,

Veronica

[RamyaR]

This is an awesome list. Thanks for sharing Jodi.

Ramya