A cup of confusion: Is coffee healthy or not?

#1

A cup of confusion: Is coffee healthy or not?

New studies suggest java helps protect against major diseases

Laboratory studies suggest that the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant compounds in coffee could help reduce risk of cancer. Coffee also has a tendency to speed the passage of waste through the digestive tract. Potentially, this may lessen the time that cancer-causing compounds spend in contact with the intestinal tract, which could reduce the risk of colon cancer. Population studies, however, tend to split between coffee intake having no effect on or reducing risk of breast and colon cancer.

Diabetes prevention
The case for coffee¢¢¬¢ž¢s ability to protect against diabetes is strengthened by several recent studies. In the Iowa Women¢¢¬¢ž¢s Health Study, more than 28,000 women were followed for 11 years. The women who drank four or more cups of coffee daily were about 20 percent less likely to develop diabetes. That became a 30 to 40 percent drop among those who drank decaf coffee.

A study in Finland linked consumption of three to six cups of coffee per day with a 25 percent lower risk of diabetes. In both studies, benefits were seen after adjusting for other diabetes risks, such as weight, diet, and activity level. Several studies now link moderate coffee consumption with lower risk of Type 2 diabetes. Researchers are working to understand the potential advantage of decaf versus regular coffee and how weight control is involved.

Potential increased risk of high blood pressure and heart disease has been one of the long-standing concerns about coffee. Recent studies confirm that caffeine can raise blood pressure, but this effect is observed with soft drinks, not coffee. Laboratory studies suggest that perhaps coffee¢¢¬¢ž¢s healthful compounds can counterbalance the blood-pressure raising effects of caffeine.

In the Iowa Women¢¢¬¢ž¢s Health Study noted above, four to five cups of coffee a day were linked with a 19 percent lower risk of heart-related death. Other studies have found no effect of coffee consumption on heart disease risk. But people should follow their doctor¢¢¬¢ž¢s advice.

Before you drink a whole pot ...
Coffee does warrant some cautions, however. Both regular and decaf coffee relax the muscle that keeps stomach acids from rising into the throat, so those with heartburn or reflux disease (GERD) are encouraged to avoid or strictly limit coffee. People with trouble sleeping should limit or avoid caffeinated coffee.

Studies now suggest it is unnecessary for pregnant women to completely avoid caffeinated coffee. Until the impact of caffeine is more clearly understood, however, many experts suggest that pregnant women limit their daily caffeine from coffee, soft drinks and other sources to about 300 mg, the equivalent of three cups of regular coffee.

It¢¢¬¢ž¢s exciting that something as simple as drinking coffee might help lower our risk of cancer, diabetes and heart disease. However, while brewed coffee (not instant) is a concentrated source of antioxidants, it can¢¢¬¢ž¢t be a substitute for berries, legumes, nuts, and other fruits and vegetables that provide antioxidants along with a wide range of vitamins, protective compounds and dietary fiber.

Nutrition Notes is provided by the American Institute for Cancer Research in Washington, D.C.

#2

hmmm that might explain y im abit constapated right now....

havent drunk a cup of coffee for like 2 wks now since i started work again....

before that, i was drinkin a cup everyday n doing my time in the toilet everyday to....

ok back to the good old coffee beans it is.....

#3

chocolate has some benefits too...lol...

interesting though....i still put coffee in the same category as fast food, weed, and tv sitcoms though...

#4

ok maybe not sitcoms...

#5

Changing risks for others. Personally I believe anything in excess (as 6 cups of coffee a day) cannot possibly be good regardless of 25 percent reduction in diabetes probability.

#6

Coffee is also good for asthma...Whenever I have an attack, I brew a cup and relax and it works wonders...I drink it in the mornings and the evenings...Great post Buff...

#7

If anyone needs a source for Cafe Mas Fina, I get mine roasted by a guy out of northern Michigan who ships it to me the same day.
He imports all his own beans, emphasizes Fair Trade products, and travels to South America every other year to meet the farmers and get the inside story on what the conditions have been like and how it will be affecting the beans. A nice warm cup of French-press coffee is the key ingredient to every one of my mornings!

#8

i work at starbucks and i have to say, coffee doesnt smell as good anymore because im constantly around it. but yeah coffee is okay but i like tea better.

#9

Wow emanon is serious about his coffee. I like combining them. Right now im mixing seattles best " Henry's blend" ( taists great but a little weak ) with one of paul newmans .Looking for a stronger Seattles Best but the labeling is very confusing.

#10

QUOTE(happywonton @ Dec 4 2006, 05:03 PM) i work at starbucks and i have to say, coffee doesnt smell as good anymore because im constantly around it. but yeah coffee is okay but i like tea better.

Damn, I wonder what male gynecologists go through, lol...