subject: Suffering From Diabetes? Then Give These Hydroxycinnamic Acids A Try [print this page] The hydroxycinnamic acids are a group of phytonutrients (plant based nutrients with numerous health benefits in humans) that are mainly found in coffee. Studies have shown that they can fight free radicals, keep your blood healthy and much more. In this article I will be providing a full breakdown of 2 hydroxycinnamic acids, listing the best food sources and providing an overview of their main health benefits.
1) CHLOROGENIC ACID:
Chlorogenic acid is mainly found in coffee with a 100 millilitre (ml) serving providing you with between 35 milligrams (mg) and 175mg of this phytonutrient. Apples, pears and tea also contain some chlorogenic acid.
In terms of health benefits, chlorogenic acid is an impressive antioxidant (a substance that protects your body's cells from dangerous free radicals) that can also prevent cancer (a disease where your body's cells start to grow in a rapid, uncontrollable way) and diabetes (a disease where your blood glucose levels reach dangerously high levels). It can also keep your heart healthy by protecting against atherosclerosis (a condition where hard plaques form in your artery walls, restrict the flow of blood and ultimately increase your heart disease risk) and reducing blood levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (a type of cholesterol that causes blockages in the arteries and increases your heart disease risk).
2) FERULIC ACID:
Ferulic acid can be sourced from a range of plant based foods with apples, asparagus, coffee, oranges, pineapples and wholegrains all being excellent sources. Studies have shown that this hydroxycinnamic acid is a potent antioxidant.
Early evidence indicates that it may also prevent bone degeneration, prevent cancer, protect the skin from ultraviolet (UV) damage, reduce blood levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (a type of cholesterol that causes blockages in the arteries and increases your heart disease risk), reduce the hot flushing symptoms associated with menopause and treat diabetes. However, further research is required before these provisional health benefits can be confirmed.
HYDROXYCINNAMIC ACID BENEFITS:
As you can see, a cup of coffee does so much more than perking you up. The hydroxycinnamic acids in this hot beverage can boost your heart health, keep you safe from harmful free radicals, protect against numerous diseases and much more. They may also be able to boost your skin health, ease the unpleasant symptoms associated with menopause and keep your bones healthy. So make sure you are drinking 1 or 2 cups of coffee each day so that you can start enjoying all these hydroxycinnamic acid benefits.
