Coffee

It seems everyday we are bombarded with information regarding what we should and shouldn’t drink. I don’t know about you but I get pretty fed up with all the negative exposure some foods/drinks receive. Its time to put some common misconceptions to rest and start enjoying life and the things which give us pleasure on a daily basis. The good old coffee is about to receive a shot in the arm and this simple (and sometimes guilty) pleasure is back on the menu for all to enjoy.

So, is Coffee bad for your health?

Simple answer is NO. Based on moderate consumption there is no conclusive evidence that there are any harmful side effects. Sure you might get a head buzz from a double espresso on an empty stomach, and feel a little light headed for awhile, but this soon goes away. We don’t advocate having a double espresso every half hour but combined with a healthy balanced diet, coffee certainly can be part of your day.

Does Coffee increase the risk of some diseases?

Coffee is one of the most highly researched commodities in the world, so links are inevitably going to be found between drinking coffee and a one in a million chance of catching a particular disease. Studies in isolation cannot provide us a picture of the true link between coffee and such diseases, it is extremely sensible and logical to look at the total picture which suggests and supports that drinking coffee poses no risk to the consumer.

Does coffee raise my blood pressure?

Yes, it causes a slight rise in blood pressure, however scientists do not consider this as a sign or factor of hypertension. Hypertension risk factors are known to be high sodium intake, obesity, little exercise and low potassium intake. Coffee drinking causes no greater rises in blood pressure than everyday activities such as exercise or taking part in a conversation.

Do either caffeine or coffee cause cancer?

Most studies are inconclusive, there have been numerous studies conducted to link coffee/caffeine to an increase in the risk of contracting cancer and none of these studies have proven that there is any risk or likelihood of coffee causing cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) evaluated coffee, caffeine and tea and after assessing the available research, gave coffee the classification 2B which is ‘possibly carcinogenic to the human urinary bladder’. Since that time several well-conducted studies have been published which have demonstrated that coffee is not a casual factor in the development of cancer.

Are there any times when coffee is more beneficial to alertness?

Coffee does cause a mild stimulus on the body. Research has shown that caffeine has a benefit after lunch when the body’s rhythm is at its lowest. Research has also shown this is true for shift workers during the night.

Does drinking caffeine at night affect the quality of my sleep?

This can vary from person to person therefore it really depends on your own experiences. If caffeine affects you by producing a mild stimulus then it goes to reason that by drinking coffee late at night or just before sleep-time will affect your sleep patterns. You may consider choosing a decaffeinated version of your favorite coffee which should not cause any disruption to your normal sleep patterns.

Enjoying a great cup of coffee should be guilt free, but like most things should be consumed in moderation. There are many more questions that could be answered regarding the health benefits and negatives of coffee/caffeine consumption The questions answered in this article are but the tip of the coffee bean, and the resounding message is that coffee has some negatives and some positives but enjoying a delicious coffee on daily basis poses no risk whatsoever combined with a healthy and active lifestyle.

Along with enjoying the glorious taste of your favorite coffee is the art of making your own – by visiting http://www.coffeemachinebrands.com you can learn about the different types of coffee machines that are available and how to make the most delicious coffee right in your own home.

Author: Anthony Hegarty
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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If you are a coffee drinker, you no doubt have asked yourself how much coffee is it safe for you to consume on a daily basis. This is not surprising since so much has been blamed on coffee. Heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, you name it. At one time or another, coffee has been made to blame. Coffee has joined the ranks of red wine and chocolate as a guilty pleasure that may actually be good for you. As much as it is a great way to get that fix in the morning, recent studies have shown that coffee has been found to be rich in antioxidants and contains hundreds of pain-relieving and anti-bacterial compounds. Although one should not drink coffee with wild abandon, it’s comforting to know that maybe that cup or two in the morning may be good for you. Here is a statistic to ponder: did you know that there are over 160 million coffee drinkers in the Unites States alone? In terms of consumption, the average American consumes 8.8 lbs. of coffee per year. But consider this: the world leader in terms of consumption is Finland which comes in at nearly 30 lbs per year. That’s a lot of coffee!

Another statistic is that there have been well over 19,000 studies done to analyze the effects of coffee. Now, studies can often be skewed to show whatever the author wants, but here is what is generally agreed: consuming 2 to 3 cups of coffee per day is often considered more beneficial than harmful. Recent studies have shown that moderate coffee drinking can reduce the risk of colon cancer (due to it’s ability to keep you regular), gallstones, cirrhosis of the liver and more, due to the fact the it is loaded with healthy antioxidants. So loaded, that studies have implied that coffee contains higher levels of antioxidants compared to other commonly consumed beverages, such as tea and fruit juice. Coffee has joined the ranks of red wine and chocolate as a guilty pleasure that may actually be good for you. As much as it is a great way to get that “fix” in the morning, recent studies have shown that coffee has been found to be rich in antioxidants and contains hundreds of pain-relieving and anti-bacterial compounds. Although one should not drink coffee with wild abandon, it’s comforting to know that maybe that cup or two in the morning may be good for you. Several studies are also being conducted on Parkinson’s and diabetic Patients. Research has shown that just one cup of coffee per day can halve your risk of Parkinson’s, the brain disease that causes tremors and affects movement. Caffeine may protect the brain cells typically lost to Parkinson’s disease. However, it has been noted that women on hormone therapy do not seem to benefit. It is felt that Estrogen may dilute the effectiveness of caffeine. It has also been found that if a woman drinks three cups of coffee a day, she can reduce her risk of Type 2 Diabetes by twenty to thirty percent. Coffee may help promote the delivery of insulin to the tissues. Experts believe that coffee’s antioxidants, such as chlorogenic acid and caffeine acid, deserve the credit. There are also on going studies that are producing favorable reports on coffee helping to fight Alzheimer’s due to the caffeine stimulating the cognitive area of the brain. This is just the tip of the ice berg.

People with asthma who drink coffee can have up to 25 percent fewer symptoms because one of the compounds in coffee – theophylline – acts as a bronchodilator. A recent Brazilian study showed that consumption of coffee promotes better sperm mobility – and now studies are in progress to determine whether caffeine can help infertile men. Coffee contains polyphenols, substances that may reduce the risk of cancer and coronary artery disease. Caffeinated coffee, as opposed to decaffeinated coffee, makes you a better thinker. Studies have shown that coffee keeps you focused, particularly when you are doing not-so-pleasant work. A researcher with the U.S. Army stated caffeine improved scores on a range of cognitive tasks, such as decision making, learning, and attention in the sleep-deprived. Coffee can also boost your mood, probably by making you feel more energetic. A little known fact is that coffee contains antioxidants which have been shown to imporve oveall health. Here is a short list of some benefits which have been shown to be present in coffee:

Reduce symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

Antibacterial ingredients

Reduce the risk of developing gallstones

Preserve mental accuity

Reduce risk of developing type 2 Diabetes (if you have diabetes, reduce your consumption

If you are free of hypertension, coffee will not likely produce it

Headache relief

Reduce the risk of some types of cancer

Improve physical endurance

Aaron Matthews-Morgan is the owner of Heavenly Kona Coffee, an e-business that specializes in 100% Gourmet Kona Coffee from Hawaii. HeavenlyKonaCoffee.com [http://heavenlykonacoffee.com/] is also a premier website for free information and resources, providing quality info and articles on everything related to coffee. Go to: [http://www.heavenlykonacoffee.com/]

Author: Aaron Matthews Morgan
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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