Coffee

Coffee drinking is now being linked to development of heart diseases. Many studies were conducted to prove the relation of coffee intake and heart diseases. According to the Harvard Women’s Health Watch, drinking coffee moderately does not pose health risks to the coffee drinker. The debate on the effects of the caffeine content in coffee to development of heart diseases is still under scrutiny. No studies have directly given evidence that coffee especially the caffeinated coffees contribute to risk of heart disease. On the other hand, drinking coffee has deemed helpful for some because of its health benefits. Studies show that drinking coffee can:

* reduces the risks of Type 2 Diabetes

* minimize the development of gallstones because coffees are natural diuretics

* improve cognitive function

* Provide stamina and endurance in performing daily activities with long duration.

Experts advice that while no proofs has been submitted to directly prove the relationship of coffee drinking and development of heart disease, we have to drink coffee in moderation everyday because we do not have any idea what dangers can happen if we take too much. We all know that too much of something is not good. Coffee contains caffeine which is a mild and addictive stimulant. When taken in excess, the caffeine stimulates cardiovascular effects such as increased heart rate, occasional irregular heartbeats and mild palpitations. Take note, these stimulants are addictive so we may not notice that we have been drinking too much of it until such time that we start to feel uncomfortable due to the side effects.

Yet there are available blends of coffees in the market that has healthy benefits. These are not the pure coffee loaded with caffeine but rather the less caffeinated coffees with the blend of natural herbs or spices. Natural herbs are good for our body because it poses less harmful side effects. The uses of herbs date back to the ancient traditional Chinese medicine and, no doubt herbs have healthy and healing properties. Some herbs blended to coffees that are good for the body are Ganoderma herbs, Ginger, Ginko Biloba, and many more. These traditional herbs have healthy benefits like lowering blood sugar, lowering blood pressure and provide protection from developing heart diseases.

We love offering great coffee recipes for you on our blog Coffee Talk Chick Join us and enjoy this new enjoyable journey in combining coffee and improving our health at the same time.

Author: Henry Laker
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Coffee can actually be healthy for you! This is good news for all coffee lovers out there. Many people assume that caffeine is bad for you. Caffeine has been blamed for everything from high blood pressure to cancer. Many people still avoid caffeinated beverages because they worry about the health effects. However, current research reveals that not only is coffee safe but it even offers some health benefits.

Some of the most significant research recently relates to caffeine and diabetes. A study by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that participants who regularly drank coffee significantly reduced the risk of onset of type 2 diabetes, compared to non-coffee drinking participants. Scientists are quick to caution against increasing your caffeine intake as a way to decrease your risk of diabetes as they aren’t sure why caffeine is beneficial to diabetes and have indicated that more research is needed. However, it does clearly show that coffee may be healthier than people have thought in the past.

In other promising research, at least six studies indicate that people who drink coffee on a regular basis are up to 80% less likely to develop Parkinson’s, with three studies showing the more they drink, the lower the risk. Also, research shows that coffee may reduce the risk of developing gallstones, discourage the development of colon cancer, improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of liver damage in people at high risk for liver disease.

Contrary to popular opinions, coffee can also actually be beneficial to heart health. One study found women who drink two to three cups of coffee a day have a 25% lower risk of heart disease and an 18% lower risk of developing diseases other than cancer than non-coffee drinkers. And, some research indicates that coffee can offset some of the damage caused by other vices. People who smoke and are heavy drinkers have less heart disease and liver damage when they regularly consume large amounts of coffee compared to those who don’t. These health benefits may be linked to the anti-inflammatory properties in coffee as well as its rich supply of antioxidants. On the flip side, however, caffeine is also linked to coronary vasospasms – the cause for 20% of all fatal heart attacks. Both decaf and regular coffee increase cholesterol and homocysteine, the biochemical that is linked to increased risk for heart attack.

More good news about coffee – it also can have beneficial effects that people can relate to on a daily basis. Caffeine can help with headaches as it is a mild analgesic, or painkiller, and it has the ability to increase the availability of other analgesics that it’s combined with. It also can cause blood vessels to constrict which assists with those types of headaches which are caused by the dilation of blood vessels.

Caffeine can improve mood and irritability in some folks. Studies have shown that people report increased well-being, happiness, energy, alertness and sociability after consuming caffeine in moderation. This may be the reason that women who drank coffee were less likely to commit suicide than those who drank none. Beware, however -consuming excessive amounts of caffeine can produce increased anxiety, nervousness, jitteriness, and upset stomach in some people.

Coffee can enhance athletic endurance and performance. Caffeine helps the body burn fat instead of carbohydrates, and it blunts the perception of pain. Both can boost endurance. In fact, caffeine works so well in boosting athletic performance; it used to be on the list of banned substances from the International Olympic Committee. Even though caffeine has now been removed from the list of prohibited substances, the controversy continues as experts differ in their opinions as to whether caffeine consumption on the day of performance can give an athlete an unfair advantage or not.

Why is coffee healthy? This is largely attributed to the antioxidants present in coffee. In fact, a recent study found that coffee is the No.1 source of antioxidants in the U.S., largely because Americans drink so much of it. Coffee has large amounts of antioxidants such as chlorogenic acid and tocopherols, and minerals such as magnesium which are beneficial in a variety of ways. For example, antioxidants help quell inflammation, which might explain coffee’s effect in inflammation-related diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Magnesium in coffee might help make cells more sensitive to insulin.

This is not to say that coffee is not completely innocent or that you should drink coffee to prevent disease. Caffeine, coffee’s main ingredient, is a mildly addictive stimulant. And coffee does have modest cardiovascular effects such as increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, and occasional irregular heartbeat that should be considered. However, the studies clearly show that consuming coffee in moderation definitely can have beneficial effects on your health.

Conclusion: There is no health reason to avoid consuming caffeine or coffee. If you enjoy it, go ahead and drink it in moderation. However, if your goal is to prevent disease, it is too early in the research to say that coffee is a health drink.

Rachel Nielsen is a coffee lover and a coffee fanatic. See her website The Java Press for a more complete coffee resource guide.

Author: Rachel Nielsen
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Drinking coffee is as common as eating and has become almost a national pastime since it punctuates many important events such as dinners, banquets, socials, and home gatherings. Whole businesses are made around this product such as coffee houses, delis, bars and donut shops. Manufacturers would be lost without coffee beans to process into its many forms that include not only the hot beverage, but injected into other food items such as pies, cakes, icecream, energy drinks and smoothies. There is an endless stream of products that us some form of the coffee bean to enhance, flavor and provide a shot of caffeine to eager consumers.

With so much use of coffee beans over the last 50 years, there are many questions that are asked by consumers as to the use and/or abuse of the product. There are conflicting statements made by health professionals all the time as well. Research has been conducted while consumers continue to use the product in some form or other. There is no denying that coffee is a powerful manufacturing product because it is a favorite among people worldwide. Obviously, it is here to stay. But what about the many questions that are often asked about its use? Here are a few important questions and some answers given by coffee experts that may offer you some information when deciding whether or not to drink that extra cup of coffee or eat that coffee laden ice cream pie.

Q: Are all coffee products natural or are there any chemicals used to process them?

A: It is undeniable that many chemicals are used to process many gourmet blends and flavored coffees. Companies use propylene glycol to flavor beans after roasting. This chemical is necessary to inject various flavors into the beans. If you are looking to drink coffee or use coffee products without chemicals, you would best stick with organic coffee beans and do your own grinding and blending.

Q: Does decaffeinated coffee still retain some caffeine?

A: Yes, generally, all decaffeinated coffee still retains some caffeine although most is removed. Generally, between 97% to 99% of decaf coffee is without caffeine.

Q: Are chemicals used to decaffeinate coffee?

A: Yes, a solvent called methylene chloride is used to remove most of the caffeine. Another method is to wash away the caffeine with charcoal and water. There is some concern about whether or not the solvent is completely washed away before packaging or if some residue will be ingested by consumers. By using the Swiss method of removing caffeine by passing it through charcoal and water can alleviate concerns about chemicals. Obviously, you will lose some flavor by decaf methods. If you want to go completely chemically free, you can try an organic, green coffee bean that has not been treated that will give you as close to the taste of a ‘real’ cup of coffee as you will find, but with very little caffeine. It is also a bit more expensive.

Q: Is it possible to make low acid coffee if you have stomach problems from drinking regular coffee?

A: Yes, if you suffer from problems such as acid reflux, you can purchase some ‘low acid’ coffees, but there is a method called Toddy Cold Brew System that purports to make coffee with over 60% less acid than typical coffee. You don’t have to purchase processed low acid coffee which may also have chemical residues and may not taste as good.

Q: Could drinking coffee cause a heart attack?

A: There are many medical opinions on this subject and it is best to heed the general warning that drinking too much coffee is not good for anyone because it can cause general anxiety symptoms to worsen which cause the heart rate to go up sometimes. That said, a recent study also reports that drinking coffee in moderation can actually be good for heart health.

These are just a few of the questions that come to the mind of many coffee lovers who want to continue to enjoy their hot beverage every day if possible. Obviously, coffee in its many forms will continue to be a part of the worldwide culture. As with any beverage or food, its wise to consume in moderation without giving up one of life’s simple pleasures.

P.S. Orr has been writing articles for 6 years on a variety of topics of interest. Come visit the latest website at http://www.singleservecoffeemakerstore.com/ which helps people find the best deals on travel coffee makers and more information about gourmet coffee machines.

Author: P.S. Orr
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Everyone knows coffee is evil, right? Drinking coffee is associated with groggy smokers, stained teeth and short life spans spent commuting to miserable jobs that require a dose of caffeine to get through. Well, perhaps. There has been a lot of interesting research about how coffee or caffeine (and they are not the same thing) affects our health. Despite concerns for certain people and conditions, the news is not all that bad. Since coffee remains the single most popular beverage in the world, that is good news.

Reviewing the evidence, a cautionary tale develops about how difficult it can be to construct a good study and interpret the results. Readers also need to remember that the information provided depends in part on who is delivering it, who is paying for it and what they want you to hear. Here are a few points to keep in mind:

* A study of caffeine is not the same as a study of coffee. This is a common problem with dietary studies: in an attempt to make the study more accurate, researchers might decide to isolate a single component from a food or beverage. The food itself, after all, will have variable quantities of that component. However, there can be very different results when consuming the whole food vs. an extracted part.

* A “cup” of coffee is typically assumed to be 6 oz. – not your 16 oz. travel mug!

* Caffeine levels are usually assumed to be about 100 mg per cup, but in fact vary significantly with the type of bean, brewing method, and even from batch to batch. Brewed coffee is estimated to range from 100-150 mg per cup, a similar volume of espresso having about 90 mg. Arabica beans have less caffeine than robusta beans.

Two health topics are commonly associated with coffee consumption – its effect on blood sugar and insulin resistance, and its effect on the adrenal glands. But there has also been considerable research on the consumption of coffee and the incidence of cancer,

Coffee and Diabetes Mellitus

When coffee drinkers over-indulge in sweets, many notice an immediate craving for coffee. The combination of coffee and dessert is common and traditional in many regions, as is the taking of bitter herbs (often in an alcoholic beverage) as a digestive aid. The desire to consume coffee together with sweet flavors could be due to coffee’s bitterness, but there may also be some beneficial effect on blood sugar levels that elicits a craving for coffee when blood sugar levels surge.

Some dieticians and researchers consider coffee detrimental to blood sugar levels because it (or the caffeine in it) stimulates the adrenal glands. This stimulation increases the production of hormones (adrenaline and glucagon) that cause the release of stored sugars into the blood. It is one of the ways a stimulant prepares the body for increased physical activity and higher energy demands.

There follows a supposition that sweetened coffee aggravates this effect by putting sugar into the blood, both via the digestive system and by releasing stored sugars through hormonal stimuli. When there is insufficient physical activity to consume the extra energy from the sugar, the pancreas responds by pumping out insulin. Insulin decreases sugar levels in the blood by driving it into the cells of the body – putting it back into storage. Physiologically, it’s like taking an “upper” and a “downer” at the same time, in a convoluted attempt to stay on an even keel.

There are concerns that the increased demand for insulin can lead to decreased sensitivity to it – as happens with Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. And there has been research indicating that caffeine (taken as an isolated drug) inhibits sugar metabolism.

However, a several studies in 2006 and 2004 indicate that coffee consumption is actually associated with a decreased incidence of Type 2 diabetes. Although any study has its weaknesses, these were conducted in different geographic areas, with different participants and different methodologies, and did their best to account for confounding factors such as obesity and smoking.

Coffee, Heart Health and the Adrenal Glands

The adrenal glands produce various hormones that are responsible for coordinating and monitoring a variety of physiological activities. These include cortisol, adrenaline, DHEA, estrogen and testosterone. There is concern that caffeine can cause the body to be flooded with excess adrenaline, resulting in an increased heart rate and higher blood pressure. Some authors even suggest that ongoing stimulation of the adrenal glands will eventually cause them “wear out.” Although there has been research into the stimulation caused by caffeine, an online search produced no study that addressed the “wearing out” theory.

A 2002 study from the Duke University Medical Center investigated the effects of moderate doses of caffeine on blood pressure and heart rate, urinary excretion of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol, and self-reported stress during normal activities. This study found that caffeine raised average blood pressure during the workday and evening by 4/3 mm Hg and increased average heart rate by 2 bpm. Caffeine also caused a 32% increase in the levels of epinephrine (a stimulating hormone). In addition, caffeine amplified the increases in blood pressure and heart rate associated with higher levels of stress from daily activities. These effects were undiminished through the evening until bedtime. An Australian study also found that while most data suggest very little excess risk of coronary heart disease among the general population of habitual coffee drinkers, the better controlled data suggest an excess risk on the order of 60% for people drinking five or more cups per day.

In another area of concern, a 2004 study linked moderate to high levels of coffee consumption to increased inflammatory markers. Inflammatory markers are important as predictors of coronary heart disease. Another study published in 2004 found that the combination of caffeine plus smoking cigarettes reduced the flexibility of the aorta more than either substance alone.

However, other work has suggested that response to coffee vs. isolated caffeine is minimal, particularly for habitual drinkers. In 2006, a study was reported in the April 24th Rapid Access issue of Circulation. The authors concluded that “coffee consumption was not associated with an increased risk of Coronary Heart Disease.” This study found that total cholesterol, low-density and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in men and women coffee drinkers did not differ in those who drank caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee. CHD risk associated with drinking coffee did not differ in people with or without type 2 diabetes.

So are you off the hook? Er… not so fast. A 2006 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that some people have a genetic mutation of the CYP1A2 enzyme that reduces the rate they metabolize caffeine. For those people, drinking four or more cups a day over for a year had a 64% increased risk of heart attack, compared to less than 1% increased risk for people without the gene mutation. Such genetic differences between participants in a study may explain why it has been hard to determine if there is a clear association between coffee consumption and heart attack risk.

Organ damage and cancer

This section will briefly list some research on coffee consumption and how it affects various organs and/or its association with different types of cancer.

* A study of cellular changes in the pancreas in 1986 found no changes due to coffee drinking. Most studies do not support an association between coffee consumption and pancreatic cancer.

* A study of gastric cancer conducted in Spain from 1987-1989 found no association with smoking, or with the consumption of coffee or tea.

* In a Polish study of stomach cancer published in 1999, no association was found with drinking regular coffee or herbal tea or using milk/cream in coffee or tea. (The findings did confirm an association with cigarette smoking, which is estimated to account for approximately 20% of stomach cancers.)

* A 2002 study published in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention found that coffee is associated only weakly or not at all with bladder cancer risk, inversely with colon cancer risk, and inconsistently with rectal cancer risk. Rectal cancer risk was not associated with either coffee or tea.

* A Harvard Medical School review of existing literature in 2002 found no convincing evidence has been presented to show that caffeine consumption increases the risk of any reproductive adversity in women.

* In 2002, an evaluation was conducted of several lifestyle factors influencing benign prostatic (prostate) enlargement and the severity of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). There was a strong inverse association between alcohol intake and men treated surgically for BPH or in ‘watchful waiting’ for surgical intervention, but a positive correlation with coffee consumption. (That is, coffee seemed to make the conditions worse, alcohol was associated with improvements.) The authors concluded that “Given the opposite effects of coffee and moderate alcohol consumption, together with the increased risk for clinical BPH in men with coronary heart disease, coffee constituents, which increase the serum concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, may be involved in the pathophysiology of BPH.”

* The news is also not good for the urinary tract. A study in The Netherlands in 2002 concluded that, in accordance with earlier reviews, coffee consumption increases the risk of urinary tract cancer by approximately 20%. The consumption of tea seems not to be related to an increased risk of urinary tract cancer. There is also evidence that caffeine intake at a level equivalent to two or more cups of coffee daily produces increased calcium in the urine, which suggests a higher risk of kidney stones (a study that looked at coffee, rather than caffeine, consumption and calcium in the urine could not be found).

Coffee and Bone Mass

A 1991 study of 619 elderly men and women in Sweden concluded that coffee drinking was not a contributory independent risk factor for loss of bone mass and fractures.

Conclusions

There has been enough conflicting information and supposition published that individuals may be tempted to pick and choose data that supports the answer they were hoping for. Overall, it does seem that light to moderate coffee consumption (less than four 6 oz. cups a day) is not particularly bad for you. However, consumption should be limited for those particularly sensitive to caffeine (suggesting a reduced ability to metabolize it) and those concerned about urinary tract and/or prostrate health. As with so many things, moderation is definitely appropriate.

Also, there is little doubt that coffee/caffeine is addictive, and that’s never a good sign. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore found that as little as one cup of coffee a day can produce caffeine addiction. When you then try to do without it, you may suffer a range of withdrawal symptoms, including headache, fatigue and difficulty concentrating. Some may even feel as though they have the flu, with nausea and muscle pain. Simple caffeine withdrawal may explain much of the malaise associated with “cleansing diets.” To help reduce your coffee and/or caffeine intake it can be helpful to begin substituting decaffeinated versions (use products decaffeinated by the “Swiss” water method, which does not add chemicals to beans). Tea also seems to be less aggravating to the body’s systems, and has some benefits of its own; it may be worth switching over, and just saying goodbye to coffee.

Braxton Ponder is a Licensed Acupuncturist whose work has taken him around the world, exposing him to a broad range of healthcare systems and practices. He draws upon this background, as well as his ongoing clinical experience, when he offers news analysis and commentary about health care nutrition and healthy living in his blog: Ponder Natural Health Notes.

Braxton’s focus is on integrative, or so-called Complementary and Alternative Medicine, but he takes a broad view. His articles may mention the risks of biomedicine, but also point out when he thinks it is the best choice. He looks at health care and insurance systems and considers policy decisions that affect our access to different treatment options, comparing the American system to other viable approaches. Not least, Braxton offers tips on daily lifestyle issues, such as self-care, diet, fitness and stress reduction. Braxton is the founder of the Ponder Natural Health clinic in Colorado, and the Yoga Review site YogiReviews.com

Articles on specific subjects and/or with negotiated publication rights are available on request. This blog is a new outlet for our content; current postings are limited, but should give an idea of the author’s style and subject choices.

Author: Braxton Ponder
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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The source of controversy over coffee is it’s most studied (though not necessary largest) element, caffeine. Caffeine, generally considered to be the most widely used drug in America and Europe is an often powerful central nervous system stimulant that, in some people, can cause modest increases in blood pressure and heart rate, arrhythmia, anxiety and sleeplessness.

A normal person can cope with 300 milligrams of coffee a day- that’s about three cups of coffee. However, response to caffeine can be as individual as a fingerprint.

The beauty of coffee is that, unlike many other caffeinated beverages, it has a way of tipping off the body when enough is enough. If you’ve walked into a Starbucks or a meeting you’ll notice a lot of half-drunk cups lying around. At a subliminal level, there’s an automatic stop with coffee. You don’t even have to think about it.

But a lot of people have been worrying about their coffee drinking since some research studies have linked coffee drinking to heart disease, cancer and even birth defects.

Below are some answers to some questions of the most troubling questions you may have about coffee.

1. Will coffee make you nervous and irritable?

It can. The most common side effects are nervousness and insomnia. Whether or not you experience them depends largely on how much caffeine you are taking in and your individual susceptibility. According to Dr. Kroger Ph.D professor of food science at Pennsylvania of Food technologist, “people should learn to observe their bodies the way they do their cars” because your body will tell you what you can and can’t handle.

You may be drinking too much if you’re unusually nervous, restless or battling with insomnia. You could also be overdosing if you’re experiencing heart palpitations, diarrhea, heartburn or headaches. For some, coffee acts as diuretic so you may have increased urine output.

2. Will coffee keep you up at night?

Your metabolism–specifically how quickly your system eliminates caffeine-may determine whether coffee keeps you up at night. Researchers have found that people who said coffee kept them up consumed less coffee-explained by their bad reaction to it-and eliminated it more slowly from their systems than people who claimed coffee didn’t affect their sleep. Individual metabolism dictates whether coffee will rob your of a good night’s sleep or not.

3. Why do I drink coffee?

It may be the taste or the buzz it gives you. In a Swiss study, volunteers who drunk the equivalent of one cup of coffee admitted to feeling full of ideas with greater vigor alertness and energy.

Other researchers have found that coffee can increase reading speed without increasing errors, improved the capacity for sustained intellectual effort and lead to less aggressive behavior. There is even some indication that coffee increases aerobic capacity, which can give an athlete more staying power. However, it’s important to understand that what coffee gives coffee may take away.

Some folks experience a post stimulation letdown that can make them as tired and lethargic as they are alert and energetic. One problem you can face if you treat coffee as more than simply a satisfying beverage is that you’ll start to reach for more than you can handle just to prolong the kick.

Coffee can be mildly addicting. Any coffee drinker who has given it up cold turkey can tell you about the withdrawal headaches and the bouts of weakness and lethargy which though quite real, aren’t permanent or dangerous

4. Are there any long term health effects from drinking coffee?

Early studies linked caffeine with heart disease and cancer, bust since then most of those findings have been disputed. Most medical experts believe there is no clear evidence supporting them. But moderation is the key. There is some indication that heavy coffee consumption when accompanied by other diet and life style factors may increase cholesterol levels.

5. Are there any special health problems coffee may aggravate?

If you have ulcers or experienced heartburn or gastrointestinal problems, such as esophageal reflux, after drinking coffee you may want to limit your coffee intake or switch to decaffeinated.

Coffee seems to promote gastric secretion. People with hypertension or heat disease who experience an increase in blood pressure or heart arrhythmia when drinking coffee should follow their common sense and switch to decaffeinated coffee or a less stimulating beverage. Coffee can cause modest increases in heart rate and blood pressure and in large amounts-more than 9 cups a day-is associated with arrhythmia.

Another group of people who ought to exercise caution are those with anemia as coffee inhibits the absorption of iron. As well as people who experience panic attacks, such as agoraphobics. Researchers at Yale University found that caffeine produces a more pronounced reaction in people who have panic episodes than in normal, healthy people.

6. How does coffee affect my nutrition?

There is some evidence that coffee can inhibit the absorption of both iron and the B vitamin thiamine. In the case of thiamine, it doesn’t appear to be caffeine that’s the culprit but chlorogenic acid, another coffee ingredient, which is not shed during the decaffeinating process.

7. How can I enjoy coffee without worrying?

Although moderation is the key to coffee comfort, for some the most logical solution is to switch to decaffeinated coffee. Many people can’t tell the difference between decaffeinated and the real thing. But if you can, you might want to stick to either instant or percolated coffee which depending on how strong you make it can contain less caffeine on average tan drip coffee.

Adelaide Kwaning is a ghost writer who writes on a number of different topics regarding health. To read another great article on healthy living visit http://healthmad.com/weight-loss/how-to-eat-more-and-weigh-less/

Author: Adelaide Kwaning
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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