Don’t you just hate when you order coffee, then the person you are with orders tea?Does it make you feel like you made an unhealthy choice? Think again! You may be surprisedand glad to know that scientific studies are showing us that coffee can actually have health benefits.
So far, science has showed us that drinking coffee may help you think clearer, prevent Parkinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, certain types of cancer, and possibly even heart disease. It is not entirely clear why, but perhaps it has to do withthe antioxidants and/or the caffeine contained in coffee beans.Antioxidants haveanti-inflammatory effects and for some diseases, it’s the effects of caffeineon your nervous system.
You may have heard the words antioxidants and inflammation, and wondered what they mean. Antioxidants are man-made or natural substances that prevent or delay some types of damage to your body’s cells. Antioxidants are found in many foods, including fruits, vegetables, and other plant based foods. They are also available as dietary supplements. Coffee beanscontain antioxidants.
Inflammation is actually a protective mechanism. When your immune system is working as it should, inflammation is a process that, in the short term, helps yourbody heal itself. On the other hand, long-term inflammation can play a role in causing such diseases as those stated above, among others.
Caffeine is a stimulant that has been shown to lower the risk of certain diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. In the case of type 2 diabetes, studies show that both decaffeinated and caffeinated coffee proved the same benefits, so it seems to be more linked to the antioxidants.
Just because antioxidants and caffeine may sound like they are good for you, too much of a good thing can also be harmful. Also, it’s not exactly clear what specific antioxidants are responsible for the health benefits, and if it has to do with how they work together. Getting these from the food you eat, or the coffee you drink naturally contains a mix of antioxidants that seem to work in concert with your body. It’s safer to get these substances from the food you eat that naturally contains a mix of antioxidants rather than overload on specific supplements. Too much of one kind has been shown to cause cancer, increase the risk of other diseases and even cause the medication you are taking not to work properly.
It’s good to know how your body reacts to the untoward effects of coffee. For example, caffeine can in the short term, raise your heart rate and blood pressure and keep you from getting the sleep you need. If you are breast-feeding, it can also affect your baby’s sleep and mood. For pregnant women, high amounts of caffeine can cause miscarriage or premature birth.
How much is too much? One eight-ounce cup of regular coffee contains about 130mg of caffeine. Two to three cups a day is considered moderate. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, unless otherwise advised by your health care provider, a moderate amount is okay, however the March of Dimes recommends no more than 200mg a day.
To prevent certain diseases, it may actually take more than a moderate amount, but we don’t recommend that before you talk with your health care provider.
So, for you Java Joe lovers that have not been advised to avoid it…enjoy your Java Joe without the guilt. There are plenty of coffee houses here in the West Village in which to do so. You may sip away the risk of certain diseases.
Please send us your questions about what’s new in health. Although we can’t answer all your questions, we’ll do our best.
EnJOY!
