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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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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