Health Benefits of Coffee
For many of us coffee has become part of our daily routine and we have refined our taste buds so that each cup is a welcomed part of the day. Not to mention the energy boost that can be temporarily gained which comes in handy first thing in the morning.
Coffee can actually be good for you?
According to a number of recent medical studies coffee can actually provide some significant health benefits!
Studies from Finland, Holland, Italy, Portugal, and the US conclude that coffee can lower the risks of diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, colon cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, and even tooth decay. Among other health and lifestyle benefits, coffee has been shown to increase cognitive performance, help you manage your asthma, and decrease the risk of suicide. Coffee may also be the leading contributor of anti-oxidants to the American diet.
Coffee’s cardiovascular safety remains controversial. Benefits as well as potential risks have been shown in numerous studies. For your information, Incasa has provided links to various coffee studies, including a link to the American Heart Association’s web page.
“Coffee is the No. 1 source of antioxidants in the American diet. Black tea is the second.”
Another report finds that the caffeine in coffee can stimulate brain activity… yeah, no kidding.
Health Benefits of Coffee Due to Stimulant Effects
Coffee contains caffeine which is a stimulant. The caffeine in coffee gives a nice boost to your metabolism which can increase your energy level and boost your metabolism. Both of these actions can aid in weight loss.
The stimulant effect of coffee can also affect your brain function. Recent studies show that on average people who drank at least two cups of coffee each day showed improved cognitive ability, increased memory recall ability, better logic comprehension and scored higher on basic IQ tests.
Also, they say that antioxidants can actually neutralize cancer causing agents… hang on to that thought, I’m going to grab a cup of espresso!
Preventative Health Benefits of Coffee
When consumed in moderation coffee can actually provide health benefits according to the growing number of scientific studies. Antioxidants neutralize cancer causing agents which reduces the cell degradation of free radicals. Recent studies show that coffee is the primary source of most Americans intake of antioxidants.
There have been studies that have demonstrated that drinking coffee can lower your risk of developing conditions such as:
Parkinson’s disease – two separate studies were conducted on the relation to coffee and Parkinson’s disease. The first study found that the relation to the amount of coffee consumed was related to the likelihood of developing the condition. The second study showed that when compared to non coffee drinkers, those that were heavy coffee drinkers were less likely to develop Parkinson’s.
Type 2 Diabetes – Harvard School of Health conducted a study to determine the effects of coffee in relation to the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It was found that when drinking six 8 ounce cups of coffee a day that men could lower their risk by 50% and women could lower their risk by 30%.
Alzheimer’s disease – People who drink 2 cups of coffee each day were compared to those who drink one cup or less per day and it was determined that the people who drank more coffee lowered their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease considerably.
Hey… even more reasons to have a cup of your favorite brew, and feel healthy for doing it!
Coffee Health Benefits : Coffee may protect against disease
It’s surprising when something that was once considered questionable for your health turns out to have health benefits, usually with the proviso to use it “in moderation.” That happened with chocolate and alcohol, and now it is coffee’s turn, reports the February issue of the Harvard Health Letter. Here’s some of the mostly good news about coffee:
Blood pressure. Results from long-term studies are showing that coffee may not increase the risk for high blood pressure over time, as previously thought. Study findings for other cardiovascular effects are a mixed bag.
Cancer. Coffee might have anti-cancer properties. Last year, researchers found that coffee drinkers were 50% less likely to get liver cancer than nondrinkers. A few studies have found ties to lower rates of colon, breast, and rectal cancers.
Cholesterol. Two substances in coffee — kahweol and cafestol — raise cholesterol levels. Paper filters capture these substances, but that doesn’t help the many people who now drink non-filtered coffee drinks, such as lattes. Researchers have also found a link between cholesterol increases and decaffeinated coffee, possibly because of the type of bean used to make certain decaffeinated coffees.
Diabetes. Heavy coffee drinkers may be half as likely to get diabetes as light drinkers or nondrinkers. Coffee may contain chemicals that lower blood sugar. A coffee habit may also increase your resting metabolism rate, which could help keep diabetes at bay.
Parkinson’s disease. Coffee seems to protect men, but not women, against Parkinson’s disease. One possible explanation for the sex difference may be that estrogen and caffeine need the same enzymes to be metabolized, and estrogen captures those enzymes.
http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/coffee_health_benefits
Now lets not get carried away, as with anything it’s best in moderation. I think it may be safe to say that having an occasional cappuccino with the morning paper can be a good thing for you!
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