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
Electric Pressure Cooker

Though I have never been a coffee drinker, I love the smell of it brewing in the morning. I guess it is because I have happy memories as a child and I knew the smell of coffee meant my mother was up and we were going to have one of her wonderful breakfasts or that we were at my grandmother’s house and we were going to have one of her wonderful breakfasts. My grandmother always had a pot of coffee on the stove for visitors – and a homemade apple pie – and there was always someone at the house visiting!

People have been enjoying the benefits of coffee for over fifteen hundred years. Originating from the Kaffa, Buno, and Ethiopia areas, the main center of production was the port city of Mocha, Yemen, where it was served to Italian merchants and then spread to Europe in the 1600′s. Little did the Turks know that they were serving what would become one of the most popular drinks in history. Coffee houses began ‘brewing’ all over North American in 1668 in towns such as Boston, New York and Philadelphia. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Americans drink on the average of more than eight ounces of coffee a day.

The benefits of coffee are astounding. Coffee is extremely high in antioxidants (substances that slow down or prevent oxidative damage to our cells and bodies and act as free radical scavengers). In Harvard Health Publication, studies have shown coffee in moderation can reduce the risk of developing gall stones, colon cancer, liver damage, Parkinson’s disease, improve endurance performance in physical activities and cognitive function.

It is recommended that coffee be consumed in moderation since it is a stimulant. Too much coffee or anything for that matter, can do more harm than good, so limit consumption to no more than two cups a day. Over consumption of coffee can cause anxiety or panic attacks and in some cases increase the risk of heart disease in some people. If you find that you are jittery or nervous after drinking coffee, cut back.

The key to brewing a good cup of coffee is to grind good quality fresh beans yourself. As soon as the beans are ground, precious oils that make your coffee taste great are lost. Just imagine how great your coffee will taste from freshly ground beans. A coffee grinder is used for this purpose and a must if you really want a good cup of coffee. I am going to add a personal note here about coffee grinders. I have one and use mine to grind nuts and seeds to make a coating for food instead of breadcrumbs. I grind almonds, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, mix them together with paprika, herbs, a little salt and pepper. This makes a grand coating for salmon cakes or chicken and fish. Then I pan sear, and serve with a mayonnaise, lemon, garlic, and horseradish sauce. Yum. 

I have also used mine to grind herbs if I want them really fine. If you wish to use a coffee grinder for other things, it is best to purchase two – one for coffee and one for grinding nuts, seeds and herbs. Purchase high quality beans, of course choosing the type of bean for a particular flavor is up to you. If your water is poor quality, use filtered or spring water to make your coffee taste even better.   Also consider organic coffee and experiment with different flavor beans to find your favorite. Our parents used to let us have a small amount of coffee when we were kids. They called it coffee milk and it consisted of coffee, pure cream – more cream than coffee and sugar. That was a real treat.

Safe Home Sue is a product specialist for Safe Home Products(R). Safe Home Products, Inc. is a growing e-commerce reseller of consumer products that improve safety, security, health and quality of life. Established in 1999 as a woman-owned business, Safe Home Products serves over 100,000 clients worldwide from its customer service and fulfillment headquarters in Iowa City, Iowa. Safe Home Products offers over 10,000 products including carbon monoxide and radon detectors, emergency preparedness equipment, environmentally-friendly cleaning supplies, pet products, pest control solutions, and home medical equipment. They ship to all 50 states and U.S. territories and to most countries.

Author: Sue Wes
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: WordPress plugin Guest Blogger

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
Canada duty

That miraculous little berry seed, known as the coffee bean, is often the source that wakes up a sleepy world. A 12 oz. cup of regular brew contains 165 mg. of caffeine which carries enough of a nudge to rouse the brain into alertness. A Starbucks tall delivers a whopping 375 mg. jolt that can put many people into overdrive. But there is more to this small berry seed than its caffeine. Scientists are finding that in addition to the effect on the nervous system, the roasted bean is chock-full of antioxidants that are only found in a select number of foods – walnuts, blueberries, artichokes, strawberries, and pecans.

It wasn’t very long ago that coffee was getting a bad rap in the health industry. Studies were conducted to find a correlation between coffee consumption and diseases — pancreatic cancer, osteoporosis, coronary heart disease, mental illness, physical fatigue, and breast cancer. The results have been coming in, and the coffee bean is looking more like a knight than a villain.

After years of research, the World Review of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American Journal of Epidemiology found “no conclusive evidence for any increased incidence of caner in ANY organ due to coffee.” In fact, these studies discovered that the individual who consumes more than four cups of coffee per day has a 24 per cent lower risk of colon cancer than the non-coffee drinker.

Another study from the University of Minnesota concluded that consumption of coffee (more than 4 cups per day) actually lowered the risk of Type 2 diabetes by 22 per cent. Their research included more than 28,000 post-menopausal women from 1986 to 1997. Scientists suspect that minerals and compounds in the coffee bean might help the sensitivity of insulin receptors process blood sugar more effectively.

Coffee consumption also seems to have an edge in memory retention. Michael P. McDonald, PhD, assistant professor of pharmacology, noted that lifetime coffee drinkers have better memory than non-coffee drinkers. Scientists are now looking into the effects of coffee as a possible prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.

What about the heart? While studies are continuing, recent research is unable at this time to substantiate any correlation of coffee consumption with coronary disease or myocardial infarction. In fact, in a trial by Iowa Women’s Health Study, the conclusion revealed that coffee actually may reduce the risk of inflammatory and cardiovascular disease in post-menopausal women. Also, a recent study of 85,747 women over a ten year period showed a similar conclusion; no connection of coffee use to coronary heart disease.

The health benefits of coffee are also found in alcohol abuse. According to Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Weekly, coffee drinkers are the ones who remain safe from developing liver cirrhosis. A study by Kaiser Permanente shows that the consumption of coffee reduces the chance of developing liver cirrhosis by 80 per cent.

Coffee can also improve our mood, and has a positive influence on our decision-making skills. Drinking that cup of java just might help an individual work through an argument. In a study at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, that is exactly what they discovered. “Caffeine enhances alertness and concentration . . ,” states Pearl Martin, Ph.D., enabling an individual to understand a different point of view during a disagreement.

Want to relieve stress? Coffee is listed as one of the foods that help alleviate anxiety, along with chocolate, yogurt, and chewing gum. Stress inducers, however, are alcoholic drinks and processed junk food.

In order to reap all the benefits from coffee, and lessen any unhealthy effects, the following includes a few facts coffee lovers need to know. First, drinking decaffeinated coffee can raise the LDL – which is the bad cholesterol — by 8 per cent (3 to 6 cups of coffee). The various fats and oils in decaffeinated beans cause this hike in LDL. Therefore, stick with caffeinated coffee. Secondly, stay with standard drip coffee, since the French-press also can increase LDL. If you have heart disease, it is always good to make sure your coffee is filtered rather than made in a plunge pot.

Here’s to coffee, and good health!

Author: Nancy Ayash
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Import duty tariff

Coffee has been a popular start to many people’s day for many years. Though coffee is often looked on negatively due to the caffeine in it there are actually many health benefits to coffee.

Antioxidants are contained in coffee and many people are unaware. Coffee contains these health boosting antioxidants no matter if you are drinking straight coffee or a varied drink such as a cappuccino. Coffee is actually good for you like many things as long as you drink it in moderation.

Often people may avoid drinking coffee due to its effects on the body from the amount of caffeine contained. Caffeine however is not the only ingredient and unfortunately many overshadow the other ingredients in coffee, which are beneficial. The antioxidants in coffee have been proven to boost your immune system and help to ward off illness. Antioxidants are also proven to decrease the likelihood of developing heart disease.

Antioxidants also reduce the risks of developing liver cirrhosis leading to liver cancer. This is good news to many especially when so many medicines increase the risk of liver problems. Drinking coffee is not a replacement for regular checkups and screening from your family doctor. Drinking coffee is however a helpful tool to reduce the likelihood of developing these issues.

Coffee has also been proven to increase alertness and concentration in adults. This is especially good news since many people drink coffee specifically for the reason of staying alert or concentration. It is a common sight to see many people starting their day with a hot cup of coffee.

Although there is many benefits to drinking coffee drinking too much coffee has been related to insomnia, and ulcers. This is mainly due to large excess amounts of coffee. It is recommended that you consume between two and three cups of coffee per day in order to reap the benefits of coffee without causing adverse side effects.

A few other diseases that coffee has been shown to reduce are colon cancer, Alzheimer’s, Type II diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. This is been scientifically proven in various government based studies along with many private health studies.

Due to all the benefits of drinking coffee it is no wonder that coffee has increased greatly in sales in recent years. People are drinking coffee more and more due to the availability and the benefits. As more people realize some of the natural health benefits of coffee it will surely increase in sales once again.

The additional medicinal benefits of coffee are yet to be found. Other countries have recognized the use of coffee as a medicine in the past; with sufficient research it is possible that coffee may prove to be beneficial as an additional source of help for some diseases.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as gourmet flavored coffee [http://www.coffeeandjavashop.com] at [http://www.coffeeandjavashop.com]

Author: Gregg Hall
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
US Dollar credit card