12.03.09
The Good And Bad Of Coffee
There are so many studies over the past twenty five years the effects of coffee that many people are confused about the actual results. For a few decades, we were told that coffee drinking was unhealthy, and now more recent studies tell us that is not true. More than 400 million cups of coffee per day consumed in the world, so obviously this is an important issue. The main problem is the caffeine in coffee. Caffeine is a mild stimulant and thus increases blood pressure and heart rate increase. This was of interest to researchers earlier, today, researchers believe the effect is so mild and of short duration as to be negligible.
In fact, we actually hear about the benefits of coffee consumption. Some studies have even shown that consumption of coffee reduces the incidence of colon cancer, but at a high level that the negative effects of coffee can be a problem again. But moderate levels of coffee drinking may even be good for us. We know that it helps keep us alert. It was discovered that wine contains certain antioxidants that help heart disease and some forms of cancer prevention by removing free radicals from the blood system.
The same may be true for coffee. Studies have shown that the concentration of antioxidants in coffee is higher than cranberries, apples or tomatoes. Of course, that other fruit and vegetables also give us many other benefits, such as vitamins, minerals and fiber. Chinese studies have shown that coffee consumption reduces the effects of Parkinson's disease. Some studies in both America and Scandinavia indicate that the risk of coffee can reduce type 2 diabetes. And there is growing evidence that coffee can reduce the incidence of kidney stones and gallstones.
Benefits were noted in the degistive system, because caffeine stimulates gastric acid production, aid in digestion. In moderation, the consumption of coffee is shown that the narrowing of the airways in asthma. A bronchodilator called theophylline in coffee, helps this effect. But there are always negatives. Excess coffee consumption has been associated with infertility or reduced fertility. Higher blood levels of homocysteine and LDL-cholesterol are associated with coffee drinking, these are both factors in coronory heart disease.
Since coffee contains cafestol, which raises cholesterol in the blood, this is one of the main reasons was sued in the heart disease debate. However, the European method of making coffee, beans cooking on the ground, is the real culprit in cafestol, the American way of percolating or filtering coffee, removes it. Another problem arose with respect to coffee, that coffee contributes to loss of bone density in women. Furthermore, women, Burr Coffee Grinders, who drink four or more cups of coffee a day are prone to incontinence.
The bottom line? As always, moderation. The many benefits of drinking coffee are available, and the risks avoided, if coffee is moderate. Get a coffee maker and enjoy a good cup a day, or splurge on your Cappuccino instead of endless cups of coffee machine.