Coffee

There is an ongoing debate in health manuals on the benefits of drinking coffee. A number of studies have found that over-indulging in coffee can cause high blood pressure, heart disease, and ulcers. On the other hand there are also a number of studies which have proven that drinking coffee bean roasters coffee has salubrious health benefits. For example, a recent study showed that the regular coffee drinking reduces the risk of diabetes, Parkinson’s, and can even lower the risk of colon cancer. Apparently it is the high level of caffeine contained in coffee which is responsible for these health benefits. The risk of developing Parkinson’s disease is directly correlated to caffeine intake – the more caffeine intake, the lower risk of developing this disease. Similar results have been reported for type two diabetes. It has also been reported that drinking two cups of coffee per day reduces the risk of colon cancer by as much as 25%; and the risk of cirrhosis of the liver by 80%.

It appears that it is the antioxidants which are found in coffee which are responsible for lowering the risk of developing these diseases. Antioxidants regulate the growth of disease cells. Additionally, antioxidants are a terrific source of the chlorogenic acid which has been found to lower glucose concentration in the body. Antioxidants protect the body from radicals which can cause illness and increase the risk of major conditions, including cancers and heart disease. In addition to its antioxidant content, a recent study by the University of Bristol of gourmet coffee roasters found that the caffeine in coffee influences our mood and cognition. According to this study, the caffeine in coffee increases alertness and hence performance, in turn increasing productivity in the workplace. Caffeine gives a quick boost of energy which enables people to focus upon what they are doing, and to be able to remember details better.

These studies were all predicated upon the assumption that the person drinks two cups of coffee per day. However, it has been found that overindulging in coffee drinking reduces these benefits. Caffeine contains a mildly addictive stimulant; and it can increase the heart rate and the blood pressure when taken in excess. How much is “too much” is still being debated. A consensus of health experts might agree that probably, in most cases, up to three cups of coffee daily are allowable (and caffeine intake from other sources, such as sodas and teas, should be reduced).

Another point to bear in mind is that not all coffees contain the same amounts of caffeine. Apart from best tasting decaf coffee, gourmet coffees contain less caffeine than ordinary coffees. This is because gourmet coffees are derived from the bean of Arabica strains which contain far less caffeine than coffee made from inferior varieties. The limitation on the production of gourmet coffees is altitude – Arabica coffee requires a high mountain, cool and wet, subtropical climate; as well as rich soil. These growing conditions need less pesticides, which reduces contamination of the environment. Thus Arabica coffees can’t be grown just anywhere. And while gourmet coffee is lower in caffeine than other types, it is highest in antioxidants.

You reduce caffeine with the best tasting decaf coffee. Or, by drinking up to three cups a day of gourmet coffee roasters [http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/roasting/roasters] coffee, you can reduce the risk of diseases significantly without diminishing your coffee bean roasters enjoyment.

Author: Alice Lane
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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It’s amazing to think that just a simple drink of coffee can be so romantic. Just think how much effort has been put into harvesting the beans, processing them and then transporting them. Coffee has fascinated, cured and improved millions of people’s lives all over the world.

The most reliable information we have states that the coffee plant was originally from Ethiopia and was discovered in about 500BC. People started to notice effects when consuming the berries. It was taken to Arabia which is where it got its name!

The renaissance saw commercial production of coffee which meant it was worldwide. During the 18th century coffee spread to different countries, particularly Europe, Asia, Americas, the Middle East. It was suddenly a popular drink for every social class.

People started to say that the effects they noticed by drinking coffee were amazing, some of these health benefits were just myth, however others did have some truth in them!

Some scientific studies have noticed that sperm in mammals swim faster and have more energy when they are swimming through a liquid with coffee in it. It is thought that the caffeine in the coffee stimulates them to perform better.

Another Harvard study looked at 100,000 with diabetes and suggested that moderate coffee drinking can reduce the effects of diabetes. Other tests have shown protection against cirrhosis of the liver and even decreasing asthma.

Coffee contains antioxidants which are similar to those found in wine. These are thought to improve the health of your heart. However the problem is that coffee is known to cause some negative effects as well and nobody is sure whether it is beneficial as a whole to drink coffee. Some people have suggested that long term use of coffee can cause to nerve degeneration. If you suddenly stop drinking coffee then your body will crave for caffeine which can result in sleeplessness.

It doesn’t really matter whether coffee is good or bad, it’s going to stay because it is so popular. This is so certain because of the price. Coffee is the second most expensive commodity, with oil being the first!

Over 400 billion cups of coffee are consumed every year, no matter which country you are in it’s extremely popular. It may not be hugely popular, only around 20% of adults drink more than one cup of coffee a day however its sales still total almost $9 billion every year.

If you then go on to consider everything else that a person buys for coffee, including grinders, roasters, brewers, cups and of course the raw beans then it will be a lot more than that.

Coffee is rising in price every year, it is set to have a bright future ahead of it. You can tell just how popular coffee is by the invasion of the coffee shops in all of our high streets! Starbucks have over 10,000 shops!

There are many different ways of drinking coffee, including espresso, straight shots or even double shots. All of these exotic coffees are available from your home coffee machine, whether it’s a traditional cofee maker, espresso machine, or a coffee maker that only makes one cup.

You can even make cappuccinos and lattes if you add a few extra ingredients and press a few extra buttons.

Being really interested in one cup coffee maker, Leroy Calstard has been authoring different papers in this specific area. His contributions on single serving coffee makers can be encountered on http://www.coffee-espresso-maker-tips.com .

Author: Leroy C. Calstard
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Coffee and tea are quickly becoming one of the largest exports of many countries around the world as coffee and tea drinkers quickly spend over $20 billion annually for their daily cup of caffeine. Twenty billion is nothing to be scoffed at these days.

We often hear the dangers of drinking caffeine such as insomnia, headaches, and raised blood pressure (which is not good if you have hypertension). But are there any benefits to drinking coffee?

Here are some interesting facts about the average coffee drinker who drinks three to four cups of coffee each day:

• Regular coffee drinkers have about 1/3 less asthma symptoms than those of non-coffee drinkers according to a Harvard researcher who studied 20,000 people.

• A Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program study of 128,934 nurses found that coffee drinkers were significantly less likely to commit suicide than nondrinkers.

• Average coffee drinkers can have three or four cups of coffee every day without any health risk.

• One study found that coffee drinkers have poorer health habits than those who drank no coffee.

• Some heavy alcohol drinkers who also drink coffee regularly have less incidence of liver damage than expected.

• Another study found that people who drank three to four cups of coffee each day had an 80% lower risk of cirrhosis of the liver and a 25% less chance of contracting colon cancer when compared to drinking no coffee at all.

• Coffee can cause insomnia, and a common complaint among coffee drinkers is that the caffeine disturbs their sleep.

• Another study found that non coffee drinkers are five times more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than coffee drinkers and those who drank three to four cups of coffer per day

These are some very interesting facts about the average coffee drinker who drinks three to four cups a day. They have a lower incidence of some problems such as colon cancer and Parkinson’s, while at the same time they have poorer health habits.

The poorer health habits probably stem from grabbing a cup of coffee in the morning as they head out the door rather than sitting and eating a healthy breakfast. Then for lunch, in the middle of a busy day, they might grab another cup of coffee.

Another characteristic is the coffee drinker who has to have something sweet with their coffee. Instead of having an apple or banana for an afternoon coffee break, they have a cup of coffee with a donut. That sounds delicious, but it is not healthy.

Another poor habit is the coffee drinker who drinks to stay awake after being up till late the night before. Getting very little sleep might not seem unhealthy, but it tears down your body’s defenses and leaves you in a weakened condition for an assortment of diseases.

Many coffee drinkers also neglect to drink an adequate amount of water each day. In between coffee cups be sure to get in your eight eight-ounce glasses of water that your body needs each day.

According to these studies, coffee drinkers apparently get some health benefits from coffee. They would get even more benefit if they coupled that with healthy habits such as exercising, eating right, drinking plenty of water, and getting a good sleep.

Carol Stack has written numerous articles and reviews about coffee and related items. She lives with her husband, three children, and various dogs and cats in the United States. Carol and her sister Barbara are constantly adding to their website dedicated to the enjoyment of coffee. Visit it at: http://www.coffeeloversportal.com

Author: Carol Stack
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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For years experts have debated the effects of coffee drinking on the human body. Is it good for us? Is it bad for us? Most coffee lovers didn’t care. Nothing would part them from their morning cup of caffeine. Now the final word is in-coffee is good for us. Some studies even find the more we drink, the healthier we are.

Most people who enjoy a good cup of coffee know it increases mental alertness but what other benefits do we get from our morning cup? Study after study finds that coffee contains the same type of antioxidants found in green tea and fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants protect our bodies against the cell damage caused by free radicals-a major cause of aging and disease.

Here are just a few of the studies supporting the benefits of coffee drinking:

1. An ongoing Nurses Health Study of 85,000 female nurses found that even 6 cups of coffee a day did not increase the risk of heart attack.

2. The Harvard School of Public Health study of 125,000 individuals who drank 6 to 8 cups of caffienated coffee daily actually found it lowered the risk of type II diabetes risk 50% in men and 30% in women.

3. Another study found that non coffee drinkers are five times more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than coffee drinkers and those who drank 3 to 4 cups of coffer per day had an 80% lower risk of cirrhosis of the liver and a 25% less chance of contracting colon cancer when compared to drinking no coffee at all.

So far no major study has found anything harmful about coffee drinking. If a woman is pregnant or nursing, she should always follow the instructions of her doctor.

What kind of coffee offers the most benefits?

Studies haven’t addressed such issues as how freshness, brewing techniques and caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee affects the nutrition. It would seem obvious however, that the fresher your cup coffee is, the better. If you’d like to get the most flavor and nutritional benefit you can, buy whole coffee beans and grind your own as you use them. Coffee grinders are inexpensive and simple to use. Grind just enough for your daily pot of coffee.

Once you try this method, you’ll never want to go back to purchasing pre-ground coffee. That burst of taste and heavenly aroma is well worth the trouble.

Tips for storing your coffee to preserve the flavor and freshness:

Have you ever purchased a large bag of coffee, either ground or beans, and then put it in the freezer, thinking this would preserve the freshness? The enemies of coffee flavor and freshness are air, moisture and heat. In both the freezer and refrigerator, coffee is exposed to moisture which is absorbed by the porous beans. Freezing also breaks down the oils in your beans, destroying flavor.

If you absolutely have to buy in bulk and know you won’t use that amount in a week or two, then freezing is an option if you divide the beans up into what you will use in one week periods. Put each portion into a zip-loc bag, squeeze out all the air possible and then wrap it again in plastic wrap. Take out only enough for two weeks at a time and never re-freeze.

What works best to keep your coffee fresh and flavorful is an air-tight container with a rubber seal. Store this container in a cool, dark place. A good rule of thumb is to buy only what you will use within 2 weeks for the most flavorful coffee.

Coffee hint: The strength of your cup of morning coffee doesn’t depend on the type of coffee you purchase, only the amount of grounds you use. For a more power-packed cup, simply use more grounds when you make your coffee.

Wondering what to do with your leftover coffee and coffee grounds? The same antioxidants which are good for you will also feed your plants. Add a little water to your leftover coffee and use it to water your house plants or outside plants. Coffee grounds are useful too. If you have a compost pile, both coffee grounds and filters add nitrogen. If you don’t have a compost pile, just sprinkle the grounds around the base of your plants and water them in.

Want some recipes to add nutritious coffee to your diet? Go to http://www.Path2HealthyLiving.com/CoffeeRecipes.html/

© Copyright 2006 by Joan Jones

Joan Jones is an award-winning freelance journalist who has written on health, nutrition, healthy recipes, home and garden. For more good health tips and recipes, go to http://Path2HealthyLiving.com/

Author: Joan Jones
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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