Coffee, Anyone?

Everyday, millions of people around the world look forward to a cup of coffee. Whether at home, while on the move or at work, the aroma, taste and the sense of feeling “refreshed” after a cup of coffee brings pleasure to many of us, as we go about our daily lives.

Research shows that coffee, when drunk in moderation as part of a healthy diet and physically active lifestyle, is safe for healthy adults and can even have beneficial health implications such as preventing stroke in women and delaying aging.

While the body requires oxygen, it can also cause harm through the natural process called oxidation. Oxidation is said to be the primary catalyst for much of the damage associated with aging. This process produces potentially harmful by-products. In cells, these by-products are called oxygen free radicals, also known as reactive oxygen species. Free radicals can cause extensive damage to proteins, cell membranes, DNA, and the mitochondria which is the main source of energy. The damage made by free radicals makes the mitochondria less efficient in generating energy. Free radicals also produce bodily changes associated with aging.

Antioxidants, as the name suggests, counter oxidation. These are molecules capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of highly reactive molecules. They neutralize free radicals to inhibit them from further harming the cells. Antioxidants have the ability to hinder free radicals from inflicting damage to cells and affect the body’s genetic material that lead to irregular growth and cell reproduction.

Some antioxidants are found inside the body. The body produces natural antioxidants like glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) that counteract the negative effects of oxidation. But as a person gets older, he produces fewer antioxidants. This is the reason some health experts advise adding antioxidants to diet. The defense system of antioxidants also includes common nutrients like Vitamins C and E.

Foods rich in antioxidant include fruits, vegetables, nuts, certain meat products, and coffee. Berries, tomatoes, carrots, cherries, and grapes are known for their rich antioxidants content like Vitamins A, beta-carotene, and lycopene. Coffee, meanwhile, is famous for its polyphenolic antioxidants and thousands of various antioxidant compounds.

To stay youthful inside out, it is very important that a person lead a healthy lifestyle by getting enough sleep, proper exercise and having the proper diet.