2008 Woodie Awards
Studies find coffee, hot chocolate antioxidant-rich
Lindsay Panzica
Issue date: 2/15/08 Section: FUSE
Originally published: 2/14/08 at 4:05 PM EST
Last update: 2/14/08 at 4:04 PM EST
Being a college student in upstate New York, there are two main factors that play into everyday life - the need to stay awake and the need to keep warm.
These can be challenging when a student must deal with the long nights of studying and early classes in an area where the average winter temperature can be anywhere from 30 to -10 degrees Fahrenheit.
As a result, coffee becomes a major necessity as a source of both warmth and a caffeine jolt to keep you going.
Yet, studies have shown that the same product that keeps us from freezing and falling asleep in class also keeps us healthy.
According to several studies conducted by Joe Vinson, Ph.D., University of Scranton, and Chang Young Lee, Ph.D., Cornell, coffee and hot chocolate provide most individuals with higher levels of antioxidants than any other food.
The reason these products are the highest source of antioxidants has more to do with the amount of intake rather than the actual antioxidant levels, Vinson said.
"It's not because coffee has the highest amount of antioxidants than any other food," Vinson said. "It's the amount of coffee consumed that makes coffee the number one source."
Vinson's statistics show that the average person consumes about 12 ounces of coffee per day. While other foods, such as dates, have higher antioxidant levels than coffee, this hot drink remains the highest source due to its popularity.
In today's society, coffee has become a huge phenomenon in the everyday lives of most Americans. Coffee franchises such as Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts have become exceedingly popular. Today each of these franchises offers a wide menu of coffee options.
On an average day, the Dunkin' Donuts franchise sells more than 30 cups of freshly brewed coffee each second, the company's Web site reports.
The coffee comes in a wide variety of flavors, ranging from the traditional decaf or regular to Vanilla Bean and Pumpkin Spice.
A similar list can be seen at Starbucks, along with their frapuccinos, mocha lattes and coffee flavors from around the world. At Javo Jo's, students have ten flavors to choose from every day - such as Hazelnut, Caramel Cream and French Vanilla.
These can be challenging when a student must deal with the long nights of studying and early classes in an area where the average winter temperature can be anywhere from 30 to -10 degrees Fahrenheit.
As a result, coffee becomes a major necessity as a source of both warmth and a caffeine jolt to keep you going.
Yet, studies have shown that the same product that keeps us from freezing and falling asleep in class also keeps us healthy.
According to several studies conducted by Joe Vinson, Ph.D., University of Scranton, and Chang Young Lee, Ph.D., Cornell, coffee and hot chocolate provide most individuals with higher levels of antioxidants than any other food.
The reason these products are the highest source of antioxidants has more to do with the amount of intake rather than the actual antioxidant levels, Vinson said.
"It's not because coffee has the highest amount of antioxidants than any other food," Vinson said. "It's the amount of coffee consumed that makes coffee the number one source."
Vinson's statistics show that the average person consumes about 12 ounces of coffee per day. While other foods, such as dates, have higher antioxidant levels than coffee, this hot drink remains the highest source due to its popularity.
In today's society, coffee has become a huge phenomenon in the everyday lives of most Americans. Coffee franchises such as Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts have become exceedingly popular. Today each of these franchises offers a wide menu of coffee options.
On an average day, the Dunkin' Donuts franchise sells more than 30 cups of freshly brewed coffee each second, the company's Web site reports.
The coffee comes in a wide variety of flavors, ranging from the traditional decaf or regular to Vanilla Bean and Pumpkin Spice.
A similar list can be seen at Starbucks, along with their frapuccinos, mocha lattes and coffee flavors from around the world. At Javo Jo's, students have ten flavors to choose from every day - such as Hazelnut, Caramel Cream and French Vanilla.
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