Coffee is the number one source of antioxidants in the U.S. diet.

Antioxidants in coffee? Yes, indeed. And plenty of them according to researcher Joe Vinson, PhD, a chemistry professor at the University of Scranton.

"Americans get more of their antioxidants from coffee than any other dietary source. Nothing else comes close. Although fruits and vegetables are generally promoted as good sources of antioxidants, the new finding is surprising because it represents the first time that coffee has been shown to be the primary source from which most Americans get their antioxidants."

Fruits like dates, cranberries and grapes are high in antioxidants, and pack plenty of other benefits in terms of vitamins and minerals.

But when it comes to getting antioxidants from natural sources, Americans get more from coffee than they do from any fruits, vegetables or other beverages.

So what makes coffee the number one source of antioxidants?

It’s not that antioxidants in coffee come in the highest concentrations when compared with other natural sources.

The key is that we simple consume more coffee than any other source of antioxidants.

It’s the volume of coffee the average American drinks that tips the balance.

Make a few cups of coffee a day part of a broader, healthy diet...

This is good news for coffee lovers, but also worth knowing about if you take a lot of care over your diet, and have considered coffee to be one of the “bad guys”.

Coffee has numerous health benefits, and the amount of antioxidants it delivers can make a significant contribution to your fight against the damaging effects of free radicals in your body.

Better news still...there are just as many antioxidants in coffee that has been decaffeinated.

So whether you like to wake up with a jolt, or prefer a nice decaf, your morning coffee will still be your number one ally in the fight against free radicals.

About the author: Nick Usborne, aka Coffee Detective, is a writer and long-time coffee enthusiast. Read more…