Some studies show that drinking green tea may help curb a few heart disease risk factors, including body weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol absorption. However, the FDA denied a petition filed by a green tea maker that wanted to put heart-health claims on its product’s label, ruling that there wasn’t credible scientific evidence to support the claims.

Coffee as antioxidant source

A study by the University of Scranton has found out that coffee is a high source of antioxidants. As a primary source of antioxidants it even beats fruits and vegetables. It is number one source of antioxidant in American diet. Both caffeinated and decaf versions appear to provide similar antioxidant levels.

Antioxidants in general; are said to give number of potential health benefits like protection against heart disease and cancers.

the researchers analyzed the antioxidant content of more than 100 different food items including vegetables, fruits, nuts, spices, oils and common beverages.

Coffee gained top ranking on the basis of both antioxidants per serving and frequency of consumption. It out ranked popular antioxidant sources like milk, tea, milk. chocolate and cranberries.

Of all the foods studied dates actually ranked top as the most antioxidants of all based  solely on serving size, but since dates are not consumed at anywhere near the level of coffee, the drink comes as top source of antioxidants.

Besides keeping one alert and awake, coffee has been linked to an increasing number of potential health benefits, including protection against liver and colon cancer, type 2 diabetes, and Parkinson's disease.

The researchers cautioned that one should take coffee in moderation because it can make you jittery and can cause stomach pains.