My alarm jolts me awake at 8 a.m. I am not fully cognizant but I know my first order of business: head to the kitchen. I open the refrigerator door and remove a bag from which a rich aroma emanates. I scoop several tablespoons of Colombian grinds into a black Krups machine, press the ‘On’ button and wait as the smell of fresh brew starts to perk me up. After taking my first sips, I am energized and ready to start my day.
Drinking coffee has become a crucial part of the daily routine of more than 50 percent of Americans, including myself. But is this habit bad for our health, or does it do a body good?
Several recent studies indicate that this popular beverage actually has an array of health benefits. “Coffee has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of several common medical illnesses—the most important of these is Type 2 diabetes, but also suicide, some forms of cancer and neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease,” says Dr. Peter Martin, director of the Vanderbilt Addiction Center and researcher for the Institute for Coffee Studies (funded in part by the coffee industry).
In a 2005 review of nine studies, researchers found that when people imbibed four to six cups of java per day, versus only two or fewer, their risk for Type 2 diabetes decreased by almost 30 percent. The number decreased by 35 percent when people drank more than six cups per day.
Caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee provided similar results. This suggests that a component of coffee other than caffeine may have beneficial effects on blood sugar levels, says Robert van Dam, professor at Harvard School of Public Health and lead author on the study.
Though the precise mechanism underlying the association between coffee and diabetes is not well understood, a 2003 study in The Journal of Nutrition found that a bitter tasting white powder (called dicinnamoylquinide) formed after roasting coffee may be responsible. The researchers reported that this chemical attached to and dampened the activity of certain protein receptors in the brain, enhancing insulin activity in rats and decreasing their risk for Type 2 diabetes.
In another study, researchers found that through a different mechanism this same chemical reduced patients’ cravings for highly addictive substances like cocaine and heroine. This chemical binds to opioid receptors in the brain, which regulate the experiences of pleasure and pain.
Caffeine, the most famous component of coffee, is also one of the more controversial ingredients in this popular beverage. It causes an increase in the activity of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which largely accounts for both caffeine’s stimulating effects and its ability to diminish feelings of depression. Caffeine essentially wakes the brain up, helping a person get through the day. After the caffeine wears off, however, it may have a depressive effect on a person’s mood.
Some researchers have found that the caffeine in a cup of joe has considerable negative health effects. One study published in a 2006 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology indicated that coffee decreases the flow of blood to the heart. Other studies have found that caffeine in coffee can also cause heart palpitations, increased blood pressure and stress. In addition to these effects of coffee, van Dam points out that pregnant women should limit their caffeine intake because fetuses are sensitive to the drug.
Based on these studies, coffee may improve a person’s mood (at least temporarily) and risk for certain diseases — good news for coffee addicts like me. But it also appears to have some harmful effects. The ultimate verdict on coffee is still out.
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June 9th, 2008 at 8:06 am
www.coffeeishealth.org
Did you know that drinking coffee regularly protects against many diseases? Did you know that caffeine is a minor part of the handful bioactive compounds found in properly roasted coffee: 1) the antioxidants phenolics chlorogenic acids (CGA), 2) the lactones formed from the CGA after proper roasting; 3) caffeine which can vary 200% comparing Robusta and Arabica coffees; 4) the vitamin PP or niacin and 5) the minerals (potassium, iron, zinc, etc). Coffee has also hundreds of volatiles which cause pleasure as smell is vital to mankind. More than any other, it is the sense of smell which has the power to fix and recall memories. We are far more impressed by a good or bad smell than a nice or awful picture… Did you know that drinking coffee regularly can save lives in coffee producing and consuming countries? Did you know that when you drive you should drink only but coffee? The plant coffee is not only natural but a healthy drink. Coffee was a beverage used by ancient Hebrews as in the Bible, by all the Muslims and later the favorite one of all Christians. If every youth in America, Europe and Asia start drinking a cup of coffee with milk instead of artificial beverages (sodas, energetics, Colas, etc) they will be more alert, increase memory capacity, strength thinking and mood, not to mention the calories that will be cut off. This is important in the prevention of diseases such as obesity and diabetes that has been growing within this age range. Wait there is more. If every human being can replace one drink a day of alcoholic beverages such as spirits, wine or beer for a cup of coffee, he will be helping to save more lives, including his own, by preventing diseases such as depression/suicide, alcoholism/cirrhosis, Parkinson/ Alzheimer’s disease as well as cancer. All these brand news are known as the Coffee Paradox as it is far more important than the French Paradox.
www.coffeeishealth.org
June 9th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
This is pandering to the masses. Coffee is neither good nor bad for your health. But the topic keeps coming up because it sells readership. And because it does, it also attracts research grants. Even though this dead horse has been flogged for centuries.
Please, let’s give it a rest already. There are few consumables that we have over 500 years of epidemiological evidence on its safety or not. Let’s not keep acting like it was just invented a year ago.
June 21st, 2008 at 4:22 am
It seems pretty obvious to me
July 9th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance found in the leaves, seeds or fruits of more than 60 plants.
Caffeine is absorbed quickly by the stomach and intestine. Once in the blood stream, caffeine has stimulant effects on the brain. Blood pressure, pulse rate, and stomach acid production are increased, fat stores are broken down, and fatty acids are released into the blood stream. These effects can last from a few hours to as long as 12, but within 4 days of regular use, the body develops tolerance to many of the effects of caffeine. For example, although caffeine increases blood pressure and pulse in a first time user, a regular user will not experience any significant change.
Consuming coffee in moderation is healthy.