Scientists figured out how to make regular coffee healthier
The antioxidant properties of coffee can be enhanced by adding milk to your morning beverage, according to a new study.A new study shows that adding a small amount of milk to morning coffee will enhance its anti-inflammatory properties. Nutrition scientists have demonstrated how milk proteins bind to antioxidants in the drink, enhancing any potential health benefits.
As part of the study, scientists examined a family of organic compounds known as polyphenols. They are found in many foods, including coffee, and have antioxidant effects, reducing oxidative stress in the human body. But scientists know little about how polyphenols interact with other molecules found in foods.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen investigated the interaction between the polyphenols, caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid (the two main polyphenols in beverages) and cysteine (a key protein in milk). The scientists tested how this combination of polyphenols and proteins affects immune cells in a laboratory setting. They then artificially inflamed them to test how effectively caffeic and chlorogenic acids prevented inflammation by "working" together.
The results were impressive: the protein-enriched polyphenols were twice as effective in preventing inflammation in immune cells compared to polyphenols alone. Thus, the scientists concluded that if milk is added to coffee, it will enhance its beneficial properties.