Antioxidants play a significant role in the body’s fight against free radicals, which are highly charged particles that can damage DNA and expedite the aging process. Many people turn to coffee for antioxidants, but new research has indicated that dietary supplements may be a healthier source.

A study conducted at the University of Guelph found that individuals who drink coffee after a heavy meal may experience a larger spike in blood sugar than those who skip the java after the meal.

The report, which appears in the Journal of Nutrition, noted that individuals who ate a lipid-rich dinner and then drank caffeinated coffee had 33 percent more glucose in their bloodstreams than participants who avoided the beverage.

The team attributed this effect to an interaction between fat, coffee and the hormones that control blood sugar.

“Ultimately we have found that fat and caffeinated coffee are impairing the communication between the gut and the pancreas,” said researcher Marie-Soleil Beaudoin. She added that coffee “could be playing a role in why participants couldn’t clear the sugar from their blood as easily.”

For those who want all of the antioxidants of coffee without the blood sugar spike, vitamin supplements may be able to provide ample amounts of the nutrients.