Everyday choice
Jargon Buster and some more facts…
Antioxidants…
Antioxidants are chemicals that occur naturally in foods and can also be made by our bodies. They can help fight the potentially harmful effects of unstable substances known as free radicals.
Don’t be put off by the word “chemicals” – all of the nutrients found in food including omega 3 oils, probiotics, folic acid and calcium are chemicals.
Free radicals…
Free radicals are chemicals that are formed during the body’s normal metabolic processes and through general wear and tear on body cells. Infections, UV light (from both the sun and artificial tanning machines), cigarette smoke, pollution and even exercise can all generate excess free radicals.
Over time, cells accumulate damage from free radicals. The free radicals cause cell damage because they are highly reactive. The damage is also called oxidative stress (just like too much oxygen can cause metal to rust). Oxidative stress has been studied since the 1950s and causes excess damage to our cells that occur over time as we age.
Which foods contain antioxidants?
The good news about antioxidants is that it’s easy to get more into our diets – there are many everyday foods that contain antioxidants:
- Fruits – berries, citrus fruits, apricots, mangoes and red grapes
- Vegetables – broccoli, spinach, tomatoes, carrots and capsicum
- Legumes – kidney beans, pinto beans and soy beans
- Nuts – pecans, walnuts, pistachios and hazelnuts
- Beverages – coffee (instant and roast and ground), tea (especially green tea), fruit juice and red wine
What do antioxidants do?
Studies have shown there are many benefits to eating plenty of antioxidant-rich foods and beverages.
Antioxidants can come to the rescue of healthy body cells by mopping up some of the excess free radicals which would otherwise damage human cells.
Our bodies naturally produce antioxidants but modern living can take its toll. We can help to support our natural defences by consuming foods which contain antioxidants.
What are polyphenols?
Polyphenols are a type of antioxidant and constitute one of the most numerous and widely distributed groups of substances in the plant kingdom, with more than 8,000 polyphenols currently known and several hundred commonly consumed in our diets.
Where are polyphenols found?
Polyphenol antioxidants occur in almost all plant foods (vegetables, cereals, legumes, fruits, nuts, etc.) and beverages (wine, cider, beer, tea, cocoa, etc.). In some plants, the formation of some polyphenol antioxidants greatly depends on light; therefore, the highest concentrations are found in leaves and outer parts of plants such as in coffee beans. Plant based beverages, such as coffee, provide a significant amount of polyphenol antioxidants in our diet.
NESCAFÉ® Green Blend
NESCAFÉ Green Blend is a new type of coffee which contains high levels of naturally occurring polyphenol antioxidants which can help protect the body’s cells from day to day damage.
Made from a blend of pure and natural coffee beans, 35% unroasted green coffee beans and 65% roasted coffee beans, NESCAFÉ Green Blend has been specially created by coffee experts to ensure a great tasting coffee that is rich in flavour and aroma, but also has health benefits.
Although all coffee is naturally rich in antioxidants, what makes NESCAFÉ Green Blend different are the unroasted green coffee beans.
Coffee is grown on small, evergreen trees* and it takes about nine months for the fruit to ripen into red coffee ‘cherries’. Within each cherry are nestled two green coffee beans – the raw coffee bean which makes NESCAFÉ Green Blend so special.
* evergreen plant is a plant having leaves all year round. This contrasts with deciduous plants, which completely lose their leaves for part of the year.
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When a green coffee bean is roasted, its colour gradually changes to brown, the colour we usually associate with coffee. The longer a bean is roasted, the darker the colour of the bean and the stronger the flavour. |
The goodness of NESCAFÉ Green Blend lies within the unroasted green coffee beans, which contain high levels of polyphenol antioxidants.
Polyphenol antioxidants are naturally occurring components of many plants and are therefore found in high levels in food and drinks made from plants such as fruit and vegetables.
In clinical trials, the polyphenol antioxidants from coffee have been shown to be absorbed by the body and to have health supporting effects which may protect the body against day to day cell damage caused by an excess of free radicals.
Free radicals can be produced in excess following exposure to UV Light, cigarette smoke and pollution.
As NESCAFÉ Green Blend is a blend of green and roasted coffees, you can enjoy this delicious, aromatic coffee as you would your regular coffee. Add milk and sugar if desired.
Enjoy NESCAFÉ Green Blend as part of a healthy balanced diet and lifestyle.
Occasions:
Any time of day, every day, especially if you have a particularly demanding schedule ahead of you.