Benefits of Drinking Coffee

Clients coming into Abundant Life Wellness might be surprised to see that I may be drinking a cup of coffee. Doesn't it increase the body's acidity? Aren't health-conscious people supposed to drink tea instead? Isn't caffeine bad for you? Although, yes, it is true that coffee is an acidic drink, there are many health benefits to consider. And remember, just because something is acidic, doesn't necessarily mean it is bad for you -- only if your body's PH is acidic on a regular basis. Salmon, for instance is also acidic, but it is loaded with omegas that are so beneficial to our hearts and brain. When we are working with cancer individuals, especially, their body's PH is something that we take a serious look at, as cancer cells have a very tough time reproducing in a balanced PH state. This is done through a simple urine test.

From Protection Against Parkinson's...
Research shows that drinking coffee reduces the risk of Parkinson's disease by as much as 80 percent and protects against other neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's. It increases insulin sensitivity, and a high intake- at least six cups a day- lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes by 54 percent in men and 30 percent in women. Remember to sweeten your coffee with stevia or xylitol. Many of the fancy coffee shoppes sweeten with high fructose corn syrup or aspartame, which we have already addressed in previous newsletters as leading to obesity and cancer.

Coffee improves concentration and alertness, boosts mood, and decreases suicide risk. In fact, just the smell of coffee relieves stress in animals. This popular drink also controls asthma and can even halt a full-blown attack in its tracks. Additionally, coffee can stop migraine headaches, curb appetite, prevent tooth decay, and increase the effectiveness of aspirin and other analgesics. And if you drink it before working out, your endurance will improve and you'll have less exercise-induced muscle pain.

...to Increased Longevity
Compared to people who avoid coffee, those who drink at least two cups a day are 80 percent less likely to develop cirrhosis of the liver (even if they drink alcohol), half as likely to have gallstones, and 25 percent less apt to get colon cancer. Coffee is also protective against cancer of the liver and kidneys, and although it's long been suspected of increasing risk of breast cancer, a recent study spanning 22 years and involving nearly 86,000 women found a weak inverse association between the two in postmenopausal females.

Finally, coffee may even increase longevity. A large 2008 study found that drinking up to six cups of regular or decaffeinated coffee daily is associated with a lower risk of death from heart disease, cancer, and other causes.

What Makes Coffee So Healthful?
So what is it in coffee that provides such remarkable benefits? First, that cup of java is a terrific source of protective antioxidants. Researchers evaluating both the antioxidant levels of various foods and drinks and the frequency with which those items are consumed have found that the average amount of coffee consumed by American adults per day- 1.64 cups- provides 1,299 mg of antioxidants. Tea, the second richest source, supplied only 294 mg, followed by antioxidant-rich (but sparingly eaten) fruits and vegetables, which provide fewer than 75 mg each of antioxidants per day. Believe it or not, coffee even contains fiber- nearly 2 g per cup. Japanese studies have shown a reduction in colon cancer by those who consume coffee.

But these aren't the only components that make coffee a drink to consider. In addition to perking up the nervous system, caffeine increases the activity of the neurotransmitter dopamine and enhances delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the muscles and brain.

So, the next time you feel like a cup of Joe, indulge yourself. It's a good way to boost your mood, your energy, and your overall health. Just stay away from the ones that are loading with inappropriate sweeteners and some of the cappacino-type drinks also have hydrogenated oils. (Read prior emails on the dangers of hydrogenated oils). Of course, organic coffee is always the best choice. Sweeten your coffee with stevia instead of sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Drink organic coffee, when possible, as non-organic can have as many as 70 different types of pesticides in it. I am looking for a really good organic decaf at a good price (water processed, if possible) -- if you all know of where you can find one, please share this information with me. Sam's used to carry one, but they discontinued it for some reason??

More Coffee Drinking Benefits

Please keep in mind, this is not talking about Starbucks coffees that are loaded with sugars. If you like your coffee sweetened, sweeten it with stevia. Coffee ladened with high fructose corn syrup is especially dangerous to your health, greatly increasing your chances for pancreatic and other cancers, as cancer LOVES and GROWS with sugar and high fructose and corn sugar consumption. Regular coffee drinking may reduce levels of inflammatory markers linked to diabetes, according to new findings.

Scientists from Germany, Finland and Denmark report that daily coffee consumption was associated with improved cholesterol levels and blood levels of inflammatory compounds such as interleukin-18. "Our study represents the first intervention trial to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of coffee and to develop and test coffee-derived compounds in plasma as biomarkers of coffee intake during long-term coffee consumption," stated the researchers from Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf.

Reporting in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the European scientists also note: "Coffee consumption appears to have favourable effects on some markers of subclinical inflammation and oxidative stress and to increase plasma concentrations of potential biomarkers of coffee intake. "Because subclinical inflammation is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, our results suggest one mechanism that could mediate the reduced risk of type 2 diabetes among individuals who habitually consume coffee for years."

Coffee And Its Polyphenols

The beverage, and its constituent ingredients, has come under increasing study with research linking it to reduced risk of diabetes, and improved liver health.

Indeed, a recent report from Purdue University in Physiology & Behavior stated that coffee is one of the richest sources of polyphenols in the Western diet, with one cup of the stuff providing 350 milligrams of phenolics.

Important New Data

The new study involved 47 regular coffee drinkers. The participants stopped drinking the beverage for one month, then limited themselves to four cups a day for another month, and then drank eight cups per day for a third month.

Results showed that blood levels of caffeine, chlorogenic acid, and caffeic acid metabolites increased following coffee consumption.

Furthermore, levels of the pro-inflammatory interleukin-18 and 8-isoprostane (a marker of oxidative stress) decreased by 8 and 16 per cent, respectively. Adiponectin levels increased by 6 per cent.
Adiponectin is a protein hormone linked to various metabolic processes, and levels are inversely related to body fat levels.

Additionally, improvements in cholesterol levels were also detected following the third month, with total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol (the so-called good kind) increased by 12 percent.

Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

lar Coe Drinking May Reduce Diabetes