Coffee Fruit, Phytonutrients, Anthocyanins, and Cancer

As I look back on my journey of understanding the role plant based nutrients play in maintaining health and fighting disease a couple of nutrients keep popping up that I think deserve a little exploration.  Recent studies have illuminated the importance of these nutrients to staying healthy, but many people are confused as to exactly what they are and why they are important.  I have a particular interest in coffee fruit because it seems to be the most powerful, but the most commonly studied of  antioxidant phytochemicals important to health is the raspberry.

 

Phytonutrients:  Phyto comes from the Greek word phuton for plant, so a phytonutrient is a nutrient that can only come from a plant.  These are non-vitamin, non-mineral substances that only plants produce.  Humans have evolved over the years to depend on a supply of these micronutrients for healthy functioning.  Scientists are just beginning to understand the ways that the body uses phytonutrients, and many believe that they hold the key to understanding important biological processes associated with aging, disease, and cognative degeneration.  Studying these substances in double blind peer reviewed and approved experiments is difficult for a number of reasons.  The first is that since the substances are derived from plants they are difficult to quantify and standardize to use in the experiment.  For instance tomatoes grown in acidic soil in South Carolina may have different levels of lycopene than tomatoes grown in more PH neutral soil in California, so if you have a study going on and you tell your subjects to each eat two tomatoes a day for a year to study the effects of lycopene on their eyesight they may be actually eating very different amounts in their diet, so the results may not indicate the efficacy of lycopene at all.  A solution may be to isolate and standardize the dose of lycopene using chemical methods, but in many cases the metabolism of these compounds by the body depends on other nutrients found within the fruit itself, so an isolated lycopene molecule may be of no use to the body if it doesn’t have the chemical keys provided in the fruit to unlock it.  What science does tell us using correlative methods is that populations that base their diets on large amounts of fruits and vegetables have significantly lower cancer, alzheimers, and heart disease than those that do not.  Two years ago scientists engaged met to discuss a series of experiments using berries that offer important insight into the role of phytonutrients in preventing and treating cancer.  One of the most important phytonutrients are anthocyanins.

 

Anthocyanins: (from Greek ἀνθός (anthos) = flower + κυανός (kyanos) = blue are water soluble pigments that are dark red, purple, or blue according to PH levels. They are a type of phytonutrient synthesized via the phenylpropanoid phenylpropanoid pathway and are odorless and almost flavorless. Anthocyanins occur in all tissues of plants, but are most concentrated in the reproductive (berry and seed) organs of plants.   In 2007 anthocyanins were the topics of research presented at a 2007 symposium on health benefits that may result from berry consumption^. See Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry Presents Research from the 2007 International Berry Health Benefits Symposium, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry ACS Publications, February 2008 for more information and background.

 

At the symposium laboratory-based evidence was provided for potential health effects against cance,r aging and neurological diseases, inflammation, diabetes and bacterial infections  In most of the research black rasberry preparations were first used to inhibit chemically induced cancer of the rat esophagus by 30-60% and of the colon by up to 80%. Effective at both the initiation and promotion/progression stages of tumor development, black raspberries are a practical research tool and a promising therapeutic source, as they contain the richest contents of anthocyanins among native North American Rubus berries. At the time this research was completed the scientists did not have access to the newest superfood discovered, coffee fruit, which has antioxidant levels exponentially higher than that of the raspberry.  In the future you can expect more studies to focus on coffee fruit, but the antioxidants found in black raspberry which worked so well in lab trials are presumed to be available in much higher levels in coffee fruit, although more research is needed to quantify the levels in coffee fruit.  Work on laboratory cancer models has shown that black raspberry anthocyanins inhibit promotion and progression of tumor cells by

1. stalling growth of pre malignant cells
2. accelerating the rate of cell turnover, effectively making the cancer cells die faster
3. reducing inflammatory mediators that initiate tumor onset
4. inhibiting growth of new blood vessels that nourish tumors and allow them to grow
5. minimizing cancer-induced DNA mutations.

 

The results of these animal based studies have led to the next stage of research, human trials to determine the anti-cancer effects of anthocyanins.  These studies started in 2007, and will continue for years to come.  It may be quite some time before there is a definitive and in depth understanding of the ways that these nutrients work to prevent disease.  In the mean time I am increasing my intake of plant based nutrients like anthocyanins by eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and I am passing this information on to my friends and family who are battling cancer so that they can make their own decisions on what course to take.  To keep up with the latest in antioxidant news join our Facebook fan club here.

KonaRed Coffee Fruit Launches Antioxidant Energy Shots

KonaRed has just launched a new all natural Energy Shot beverage made with KonaRed Coffee Fruit.  In a departure from the artificially flavored and colored highly caffeinated Energy Drinks flooding the market, KonaRed Energy Shots are made from KonaRed Coffee Fruit hydrosol liquid extract, cinnamon hydrosol extract, certified organic Maui Sugar, and water from Maui’s Haleakala volcano.   These simple ingredients include 5 top tier phenolic acids including chlorogenic acid and caffeic acids: antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties, ferulic acid with very high reactivity towards reactive oxygen species, quinic acid with anti-viral properties, and trigonelline with anti-bacterial properties.

 

The main ingredient in each shot, KonaRed Coffee Fruit Liquid Extract, contains only trace amounts of caffeine because this antioxidant rich superfood is made not from the highly caffeinated bean, but from the anthocyanin rich fruit skin and pulp of the coffee cherry, and pure volcanic spring water filtered through thousands of feet of rock.   Each conveniently sized 2-ounce shot contains only 20 calories per serving, and 5 grams of carbohydrate.   The KonaRed Coffee Fruit Liquid Extract used in the Energy Shot has an ORAC value of 97,500 per 100 grams, significantly higher than any other fruit that has been discovered.

 

“As we researched a healthy energy boosting supplement we realized that 99% of the products on the market contain high levels of synthetic compounds manufactured by chemical companies.  They get their energy boost by a combination of synthetically derived caffeine and other chemicals that are not well understood and have not been thoroughly tested by use over hundreds of years.”  According to CEO Shaun Roberts,  “We developed the KonaRed Energy Shots with a natural by nature mix of top grade all natural ingredients and nutrients, it is a healthy rather than toxic product for your body.”

 

The energy and mood boost comes from the antioxidant activity of these ingredients, and does not have the same jittery feelings followed by come down associated with most energy shots. As part of KonaRed’s commitment to responsible environmental stewardship each energy shot is packaged in environmentally friendly recyclable glass.

 

Visit KonaRed.com now for more information on the full line of KonaRed products including liquid hydrosol extracts and whole and freeze dried fruit powders.

Mothers Advice on Antioxidants Swine Flu and Carry On Luggage

As the holidays approach my ever loving and all knowing Mother starts giving me unsolicited tips, these involve everything from advice on packing for the weather on the east coast, to airports to avoid in winter, to diet and exercise advice.  Most of these I listen to and promptly forget, but some of them have stood the test of time, and some are echoed by some of the top health experts in the world.

 

The first is gargling with salt water during flu season.  She had told me this for years, and I have followed this advice just after brushing my teeth in the morning, and sure enough no flu for the past 3 years.  Imagine my surprise when I received an email alert documenting research showing the salt water inhibits bacterial growth in the nose and throat, where most respiratory infections in the body start.  This is also true for Swine Flu which does most of its damage in the pulmonary system.

Another piece of advice that has been echoed time and time again from the healthcare field is the importance of eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.  This is something that I have attempted to follow, with varying degrees of success for years.  The biggest problem that I have found is the difficulty of actually eating all those fruits and vegetables every day, sure some days I would have a fruit salad for breakfast, salad for lunch, and a dinner with a couple of vegetables, but when I went back and looked at my average ingestion I found I was way below that recommended by the medical experts, and my Mother.

 

So I began my quest to find a supplement to my “best intentions” diet that would provide healthy whole nutrition every day, not just the days I dropped 25 bucks at Whole Foods on fruits and vegetables.  I am a big fan of acai, maybe that comes from nostalgia for my mis-adventures in Brazil, but I found it hard to maintain my morning smoothie when traveling or when working long hours.  The need to keep the perishable acai frozen, and the mess I inevitably make when trying to make a smoothie were frustrating. What I needed was an easy to use, high potency antioxidant what would fit seamlessly into my lifestyle.  I have found that the freeze dried coffee fruit powder from KonaRed Coffee Fruit company is the perfect travel companion.  Its non-liquid so it goes right in my carry-on (Mother Tip #348-Don’t check luggage, most of the time it gets there, but when it really has to be there it inevitably gets lost).  The coffee fruit powder goes well with tea for an afternoon pick me up, or with iced water and lemon for a post workout refresher.

 

The freeze dried coffee fruit powder is available here.

Scientists find antioxidants like those in coffee fruit fight swine flu.

As the nation copes with a shortage of vaccines for H1N1 influenza, a team of Alabama researchers have raised hopes that they have found an Achilles’ heel for all strains of the flu—antioxidants. In an article appearing in the November 2009 print issue of the FASEB Journal (http://www.fasebj.org) they show that antioxidants—the same substances found in plant-based foods such as coffee fruit—might hold the key in preventing the flu virus from wreaking havoc on our lungs.

 

“The recent outbreak of H1N1 influenza and the rapid spread of this strain across the world highlights the need to better understand how this virus damages the lungs and to find new treatments,” said Sadis Matalon, co-author of the study. “Additionally, our research shows that antioxidants may prove beneficial in the treatment of flu.”

 

Matalon and colleagues showed that the flu virus damages our lungs through its “M2 protein,” which attacks the cells that line the inner surfaces of our lungs (epithelial cells). Specifically, the M2 protein disrupts lung epithelial cells’ ability to remove liquid from inside of our lungs, setting the stage for pneumonia and other lung problems. These are the most dangerous effects of Swine Flu.  The researchers made this discovery by conducting three sets of experiments using the M2 protein and the lung protein they damage. First, frog eggs were injected with the lung protein alone to measure its function. Second, researchers injected frog eggs with both the M2 protein and the lung protein and found that the function of the lung protein was significantly decreased. Using molecular biology techniques, scientists isolated the segment of the M2 protein responsible for the damage to the lung protein. Then they demonstrated that without this segment, the protein was unable to cause damage. Third, the full M2 protein (with the “offending” segment intact) and the lung protein were then re-injected into the frog eggs along with drugs known to remove oxidants. This too prevented the M2 protein from causing damage to the lung protein. These experiments were repeated using cells from human lungs with exactly the same results.

 

“Although vaccines will remain the first line of intervention against the flu for a long time to come, this study opens the door for entirely new treatments geared toward stopping the virus after you’re sick,” said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of the FASEB Journal.  This is another reason to stock up on antioxidant rich superfoods like coffee fruit and drink moderate amounts of red wine.

 

Studies such as this one reflect a continuing trend in medicine to prevent and fight disease through antioxidant therapy.  Antioxidants help prevent disease from occurring by neutralizing the damaging free radicals that cause cellular damage.  Antioxidant density in foods is measured using a number of methods, the most widespread being the ORAC value, a measure of food’s capacity to neutralize free radicals.  Over the years as science has gained a greater understanding of the vital role plant based antioxidants like coffee fruit play in living better longer lives more foods have been tested to see how they stack up.  Dark colored berries like raspberries, cherries, and acai are packed with anthocyanins, one of the most important antioxidants.  More recently coffee fruit from KonaRed Coffee Fruit company in Hawaii has been tested and shown to have the highest levels of antioxidants found in any natural product made from whole fruit.  I have made this “food of the gods” part of my daily preventative and therapeutic functional food program, and have never been in better health.  I am not sure if its related, but an important polyphenol found in coffee fruit, quinic acid, is used to make Tamiflu…any of my readers who are scientists please get back to me with any info you may have on this.

 

Reference:  The FASEB Journal (http://www.fasebj.org) is published by the Federation of the American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB). The journal has been recognized by the Special Libraries Association as one of the top 100 most influential biomedical journals of the past century and is the most cited biology journal worldwide according to the Institute for Scientific Information. FASEB comprises 22 nonprofit societies with more than 80,000 members, making it the largest coalition of biomedical research associations in the United States. FASEB advances health and welfare by promoting progress and education in biological and biomedical sciences through service to its member societies and collaborative advocacy.

Details: Ahmed Lazrak, Karen E. Iles, Gang Liu, Diana L. Noah, James W. Noah, and Sadis Matalon. Influenza virus M2 protein inhibits epithelial sodium channels by increasing reactive oxygen species. FASEB J. doi:10.1096/fj.09-135590 ; http://www.fasebj.org/cgi/content/abstract/23/11/3829

 

Why use Kona coffee in KonaRed Coffee Fruit?

Why do we make our KonaRed Coffee Fruit From 100% Hawaiian Coffee plants? Why do we start with one of the most exclusive and expensive coffee plants in the world? Because our customers are ourselves, our friends and our family.  We believe in providing the best and most pure whole fruit freeze dried powders and liquid extracts available because we know that they will be ending up in our bodies, our children’s bodies, and our loved ones bodies.  We take farm to table purity seriously, meaning we do our best to use only the most pure and nature ingredients available to make all of our products.

 

The Kona Coffee Fruit that is the raw ingredient of all KonaRed products are grown along the inland slopes of Hawaiian volcanoes.  On these sun swept slopes the conditions come together to create a red ripe coffee fruit with high levels of antioxidants and beneficial polyphenols, fortunately these same conditions are just right for nurturing the bean that makes the Kona coffee enjoyed throughout the world by the privileged few.  The soil in this area was formed from the same volcanoes that climb so beautifully from the depths of the blue ocean.  This volcanic rock is ground over the centuries into a nitrogen rich loam that nourishes the coffee fruit, and creates the high levels of antioxidants and polyphenols found in a natural by nature mix in the coffee fruit.

This region, called the Kona Coffee Belt covers an area of only 30 square miles, making it one of the worlds most limited producers of fine Arabica beans. Another factor in the sought after flavor and high antioxidant levels of the ripe coffee beans from this region is its unique microclimate.  The sun filled mornings give way to cloudy afternoons, providing a changing climate just right for this fickle plant.  The bright sunlight makes it necessary to produce the blood red pigments called anthocyanins to protect the interior from UV rays.  These anthocyanins and other phytochemicals produced by the coffee plant pass their protective benefits to humans when eaten in a process scientists are only beginning to understand.

 

Most of the farms in the Kona region are small family affairs of less than 5 acres.  There are about 720 farms that produce Kona coffee. The small size of the holdings and high value of the crop means these are some of the most coddled and protected plants in the world.  They are obsessively monitored to ensure they are free from pests, and the coffee fruit is hand picked at the peak of ripeness.  Scientists studying the coffee plants noticed that the workers in the coffee fields had very young looking skin on their hands despite harsh working conditions and long days in the sun.  A theory emerged that the oils and nutrients in the coffee fruit were responsible for the workers hand’s youthful appearance, and when tested it was discovered that the coffee fruit had some of the highest levels of antioxidants of any food in the world.

 

The coffee fruit are picked at the peak of ripeness and separated from the seed, which is then sorted, fermented and dried to create green coffee beans.  The fruit and pulp is then treated with a proprietary process to create KonaRed Liquid Extracts and Pure Freeze Dried Powders.  Sun, earth, water, and careful cultivation result in a coffee fruit that is packed with nutrients and meets the highest quality standards in the world.  Join our Facebook fan page and learn more about this amazing superfood.

XOWii offers a great business opportunity for home based marketers.

XOWii, an exciting new direct marketing company based in Irvine, California has just released the first in a series of ready to drink beverages created around KonaRed Coffee Fruit liquid extract.  KonaRed is the only US grown “Super Fruit”, and is native to Hawaii’s prestigious Kona region.  The extract, made using only native Hawaiian fruit and water, has one of nature’s highest ORAC scores.  Its impressive nutrient profile is a reflection of the biological components present in all coffee cherry plants, coupled with the nutrient rich lava soils where KonaRed is grown.  The wide-ranging benefits from the nutrients in XOWii Energy include whole nutrition, antioxidant protection, anti-aging effect, anti-inflammatory properties, and enhanced energy.

XOWii Energy is a healthy solution, a natural alternative to store bought energy drinks that are loaded with artificial flavor, synthetic sweeteners, additives, and preservatives.  In addition XOWii Energy contains Glucosamine, which has been proven to help with joint pain and degeneration.  The next XOWii product to hit the street will be Trim, which naturally suppresses appetite and enhances metabolism in addition to supplying a wide spectrum of crucial nutrients for overall wellness.  Both products feature the industry’s top ORAC score, which has been independently verified through third party testing by Brunswick Labs.

XOWii the Company is structured to provide substantial and immediate benefits to new distributors.  An experienced management team with experience in all areas of network marketing has put together a compensation plan and corporate structure designed “for distributors, by distributors.” Co-Founders Richard Kelly and James Christianson lead this team of veterans, and promise to give back to both the community through humanitarian outreach, to the distributors in the form of both cash and rewards like the brand new Lamborghini that will go to the first person to get to “Black Pearl” level.    Click (here) to find out how you can get in on the ground floor of this business opportunity.

XOWii is the first to market with a unique all natural functional beverage featuring coffee cherry, and has created a whole new category in the $10 Billion dollar energy drink category.  This positions the company to take advantage of the wealth being created as baby boomers age and demand for products that promote wellness and health grows into a trillion dollar industry.  XOWii is poised for success; a dual position in the wellness/energy drink industry and network marketing creates optimal potential for growth.

Take advantage of this growth potential by getting in on the ground floor which provides for extreme upside.  XOWii has designed the compensation plan to pay off quickly; its structure is front loaded for quick earnings while still creating long term stability that rewards hard work and commitment with long-term, residual income.  The precise formula includes carefully selected elements of the most successful compensation plans in the industry.  For more information on this amazing opportunity please click here.

Study Shows Regular Intake of Polyphenols Like Those Found in KonaRed Coffee Fruit Best

Polyphenols like those found in KonaRed Coffee Fruit and red wine are thought to help avoid Alzheimer’s disease.  A Purdue study of how those compounds reach the brain found that regular chronic intake of polyphenols like those found in KonaRed Coffee Fruit products is the best way to increase their concentration in the brain.

The research, completed by Mario Ferruzzi, a Purdue associate professor of food science, Connie Weaver, Purdue’s head of foods and nutrition, and Elsa Janie, a Purdue associate professor of foods and nutrition, determined that the amount of polyphenols in a rats brain was as much as 200 percent higher on the 10^th consecutive day of feeding as compared to the first.  Many previous experiments where absorption was measured after single or sporadic doses found very little if any of the bioreactive polyphenols present in the brain tissues.

According to Ferruzzi, “This shows that reasonable and chronic consumption of these products may be the way to go, rather than single high doses, similar to drugs.  It’s like eating an apple a day, not a case of apples over two days every month.”  A paper detailing their findings was published in the September issue of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Polyphenols, like those found in KonaRed Coffee Fruit and red wine, are thought to prevent the formation of beta-amyloid protein, which leads to plaque in the brain that causes Alzheimers disease.  Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease that causes memory loss and deteriation of cognitive ability.  According to Pasinetti, the Aidekman Family Professor in Neurology and director of the Center for Excellence for Novel Approaches to Neuropathics , said discovering how polyphenols are absorbed and distributed in the brain can effect scientists understanding of the amount of polyphenols a person would need to consume to effectively combat Alzheimer’s disease.  According to Pasinetti, “The most important thing is that when we follow the repetitive administration of this compound, we were able to observe the transfer of the compound to the brain.  This may help us figure out the proper concentration to help get these chemicals to the brain.”

On a practical basis, this means that if you are looking to reap the benefits of a diet high in polyphenols you should be ingesting them every day.  KonaRed Coffee Fruit is an ideal source of these super nutrients, and is available now in a nutritional beverage called XOWii, as well as in pure concentrated liquid or powder form.  KonaRed Coffee Fruit is made from the coffee cherry, the fruit of the coffee plant that holds the coffee seed, also known as coffee beans.  KonaRed Coffee Fruit products can be mixed into green tea, coffee, hot water, or any other liquid to increase the levels of beneficial antioxidant polyphenols in your diet. Remember a Coffee Fruit a day keeps the doctor away!

Antioxidants Like Coffee Fruit Prevent UV Damage to Skin

For years scientists have known that the sun causes damage to the skin, only recently have studies been done that can teach us how UV (ultraviolet) damage works on a molecular level, and how to prevent that damage from getting worse and or turning skin cells cancerous.  First of all lets address a common question that people have regarding Vitamin D, an essential nutrient produced by your body when exposed to the sun.  You only need about 15 minutes of sun exposure to get all of the vitamin D that you need, so I am not accepting that as an excuse for laying out in the sun to get a tan.

As any Irishman can tell you your family history and complexion can play a large part in determining the amount of sun you can tolerate without burning.  Other than your family history (which you cannot control), and your history of severe sunburns (you are going to pay for your sins in Cancun someday), your day to day behavior greatly influences your chances of getting skin cancer.  Some things that you can do now to prevent cancer include:

• Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or greater 30 minutes before sun exposure and then reapply sunscreen every few hours.  Remember to reapply after swimming and toweling off.

• Select cosmetic products such as foundation and moisturizer that offer UV protection.  It’s hard to remember to use an extra product each day, but if you make applying a moisturizer with sunscreen part of your daily hygiene routine you will be less likely to forget.

• Wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection, and make sure your contact lenses have UV protection as well.  If you spend a lot of time on the water consider polarized wrap around shades that fit close to the face.

• Avoid sun exposure as much as possible during peak UV radiation hours between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.  Time your walks, boat trips, and beach time to take advantage of the hours where the sun is less intense.

• Monitor moles and other skin growths to determine if they change or become discolored over time.  See a dermatologist if you notice any changes in size or coloration.

• Most of the sun damage in a person’s lifetime happens before the age of 18.  Parents should practice good sun behaviors, and make sure their children take the proper precautions.

Lately there has been a lot of discussion surrounding antioxidants efficacy in preventing sun damage and improving skin elasticity and wrinkling.  The jury is still out, but there have been many positive studies of antioxidants like those found in KonaRed Coffee Fruit.   An antioxidant is any substance that binds with free radicals to prevent damage to cells. What is free-radical damage to cells? When natural light damages skin cells, extra electrons start floating around looking for a reactive molecule to bind to. When those extra electrons find a reactive site within a cell, they usually damage those cells as they latch on. This then triggers inflammation and cell injury. Anything that slows the injury and inflammation process down is referred to as an “antioxidant.”

Many vitamins, such as Vitamins A, C, and E have antioxidant properties. Coenzymes, such as alpha-lipoic acid and coenzyme Q10, also contain anti-oxidants as do many plant-derived compounds such as the polyphenols found in KonaRed Coffee Fruit.  As time goes on more and more cosmetics containing these antioxidants have come onto the market. In fact, there is good evidence to suggest that some antioxidant vitamins C and E, have significant preventive and repairing effects for UV sun damage to the skin.

Scientists think antioxidants may help to reduce the damage to skin cells by sunlight, a number of questions remain still remain.

How much is needed of these different antioxidants is still open for debate along with questions surrounding how these chemicals cross the skin barrier.

There is little debate that plant based antioxidants are good for you and your skin, and while scientists seek to explain how they work on a molecular level, I am comfortable using all natural products as part of a holistic wellness regime including proper nutrition, exercise, and plenty of rest.

ORAC Value of KonaRed Coffee Fruit Compared to Other Antioxidant Fruits

Scientists completed a study of selected foods to evaluate their ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity). ORAC is one of a number of methods available to evaluate the antioxidant capacities of foods. The method was developed by ARS chemist Ronald Prior with colleagues. Prior also studies the ability of antioxidants to be absorbed and utilized within the human body.  This measurement indicates a particular foods ability to neutralize free radicals in the body.  Free radicals are molecules that are created within the body, and have been implicated in the formation of cancer cells, along with causing cellular damage leading to premature aging and loss of skin tone.  Recent studies have also indicated free radicals may play a role in Alzheimer’s disease and stroke.

With all of the damage that free radicals do, people are naturally interested in what fruits and vegetables are good sources of these vital anti-oxidant nutrients, and the best way to prepare them.  Scientists at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) completed a study of 277 foods in 2007 that offers great insight into what the best foods for you are. The new database provides easy access to antioxidant values for a wide variety of foods, many of which may be excellent sources of healthful compounds.  Although the scientists did not examine the KonaRed Coffee Fruit in this study, later independent testing by Brunswick Labs determined the ORAC capacity of KonaRed Coffee Fruit products, and the results were off the charts!  The whole dried powder came in at approximately 18,000 per 100 grams; the freeze-dried powder and liquid extract were much higher, at over 47,000 per 100 grams.  Before I started blogging about KonaRed I was always a data driven consumer, and these test results gave me the assurance I needed to make KonaRed Coffee Fruit a part of my daily diet, and the confidence I needed to recommend these amazing products to my friends and family.

Because of the way that the body metabolizes antioxidants, it’s important to take them each day.  Click here to see my blog on the latest research into the brain’s uptake of antioxidants.  Scientists recommend that people seeking benefits from antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables should ingest the products chronically, meaning every day.  Many people have a tendency to try to eat their whole weeks allowance of products at one time by taking a handful of vitamins when they are feeling run down or sick, this is not as effective as taking fruit based antioxidants every day as the excess antioxidants are excreted in the urine.   Antixoidants, phytochemicals, and anthocyanins work over time in a preventative capacity, so start early in life if you can, and take them religiously to maximize their benefits.

My antioxidant regimen is the following; I take a shot of KonaRed Energy the morning with my green tea and breakfast.  During the day I snack on fruits and veggies whenever hunger strikes.  I find that many times when I think I am craving a handful of potato chips, I eat an apple, and this is just what my body wanted.  Keeping my stomach filled with fiber rich fruits and veggies prevents me from reaching for unhealthy snack foods.  During the day I eat several smaller meals, and in the afternoon I like to have a XOWii Energy drink.  This keeps me going through the mid afternoon energy dip that used to send me to bed for a nap.  I try to eat at least one big healthy salad dressed with balsamic vinegar and olive oil each day, and I eat a protein rich meal towards the end of the day, but not too late at night.  This easy to follow plan has helped me achieve the nutrition and weight loss goals that I set for myself.

KonaRed Opens New Retail Store to Distribute Antioxidant Rich Coffee Fruit

KonaRed Coffee Fruit opened its first retail location and distribution center at 1448 El Camino Real in San Clemente, CA this weekend, and celebrated with a reception attended by friends and family at the new facility. Shaun and Dana Roberts were on hand to introduce folks to some of the products now becoming available. The vibe was happy and the margaritas were flowing, along with the XOWii Energy Drink, and KonaRed’s own Energy Shots. I took the taster’s challenge…after a brutal drive down from Hollywood (67 miles in 3 hours) I was beat, and needed a shot of energy to get me back in the celebratory spirit. I started with a drink of the KonaRed Energy Shot, which has a pleasant cinnamon flavor that is a nice change from the grimace inducing chemical taste I associate with the artificially flavored energy potions that I have tried before. The energy shot contains high levels of antioxidants and polyphenols, including cafeic acid, quinic acid, ferulic acid, and Trigonelline along with a trace amount of caffeine. These antioxidants have been shown to prevent UV damage to the DNA of cells, which can cause premature aging, and even result in cancer. In addition to preventing sun damage, these potent polyphenols are anti-inflammatory agents and prevent reactive oxygen species (ROS) from damaging the structure of cells. In addition these polyphenols have anti-viral properties give the immune system a boost. Shortly after drinking the KonaRed Energy Shot I offered a XOWii Energy Drink by Caleb, Shaun’s brother, who was manning the bar. I figured what the heck, you only live once, and guzzled it down. I have to say the combo got me going! I had pretty much written off energy drinks because they tend to make me jittery and I have trouble falling asleep when the day is done, but I did not have any of those nervous side effects from the all natural KonaRed and XOWii products, I just felt energized and ready for action. Once I was properly energized I began to mingle with the guests, and what a great group of people! I have to say the person having the best time seemed to be Big D, Shaun’s Dad. You could see how proud and excited he was to see his son’s dream of bringing healthy KonaRed Coffee Fruit to the world become a reality.

I think for many people seeing the big KonaRed sign on the the side of the building and the store full of KonaRed and Malie products brought it home that KonaRed has arrived and is open for business. As Shaun and Dana talked about the products to the guests their enthusiasm was infectious; its hard to not get excited to be a part of something that has to potential to help so many people live not just longer lives, but better lives. The guests present were an illustration of the various types of people that are so excited about KonaRed. From surfers like Braden Dias, owner of Pipelineposse.com, who are looking to maximize their physical prowess in a demanding and sometimes dangerous sport while protecting themselves from damage by the sun, to folks like Big D, who are looking to keep fit and have fun into their 90’s, KonaRed Coffee Fruit is the superfood of choice.