Coffee is more than just a delicious morning cup, this hot drink contributes to the amount of antioxidants that have been proven to protect against many diseases, one of which is heart disease.
Coffee provides antioxidants:
Coffee beans are one of the richest sources of antioxidants and provide more than 70% of the total amount of antioxidants in our diet, making them the most important source.
We can get more antioxidants from coffee than any other food source that comes into our daily routine. Consuming more than 4 cups of coffee a day provides the body with more antioxidants than any other food source, such as tea, fruit and vegetables.
How do antioxidants protect against heart disease?
Internal and external factors in life can cause cell destruction and increase the problem of exposure to several diseases. One of the main known factors in the development of heart disease is the oxidation of cholesterol.
Oxidation is a chemical reaction that converts electrons from a certain substance into an oxidizing agent which damages cells, the antioxidant ends this chain of reactions by completely removing the primary mediator, preventing other oxidation reactions from oxidizing themselves. As a result, antioxidants usually remove an oxygen factor such as thiol or polyphenols
Oxidation contributes to the accumulation of fatty matter on the walls of the arteries ( atherosclerosis) and can slow or clog the bloodstream to the heart.
Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, selenium, phytochemicals and the presence of compounds such as these in coffee can slow down oxidation and reduce the damage caused by cholesterol so they protect cardiovascular health.
Does coffee raise blood pressure?
Researchers found no relationship between the amount of coffee a person consumed and exposure to high blood pressure in normal people. Coffee can only increase blood pressure in people prone to high blood pressure or with a history of high blood pressure.
Remember the importance of heart care and general health:
- To exercise regularly
- Eat regular meals and snacks
- A balanced diet low in fat and saturated fat in general .
- Consumption of food sources rich in fiber such as whole grains, legumes, vegetables and fruits.
- Choose the richest sources of antioxidants such as colored fruits and vegetables, nuts, and seeds, and drink coffee in moderate amounts between 3-4 cups a day.
- Maintain the right weight or try to reduce the weight if it is overweight.