coffee is good for you

[alocispepraluger102]

Coffee: The New Health Food?

Plenty of health benefits are brewing in America's beloved beverage.

By Sid Kirchheimer

WebMD Feature

Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD

Want a drug that could lower your risk of diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and colon cancer? That could lift your mood and treat headaches? That could lower your risk of cavities?

If it sounds too good to be true, think again.

Coffee, the much maligned but undoubtedly beloved beverage, just made headlines for possibly cutting the risk of the latest disease epidemic, type 2 diabetes. And the real news seems to be that the more you drink, the better.

Reducing Disease Risk

After analyzing data on 126,000 people for as long as 18 years, Harvard researchers calculate that compared with not partaking in America's favorite morning drink, downing one to three cups of caffeinated coffee daily can reduce diabetes risk by single digits. But having six cups or more each day slashed men's risk by 54% and women's by 30% over java avoiders.

Though the scientists give the customary "more research is needed" before they recommend you do overtime at Starbuck's to specifically prevent diabetes, their findings are very similar to those in a less-publicized Dutch study. And perhaps more importantly, it's the latest of hundreds of studies suggesting that coffee may be something of a health food -- especially in higher amounts.

In recent decades, some 19,000 studies have been done examining coffee's impact on health. And for the most part, their results are as pleasing as a gulp of freshly brewed Breakfast Blend for the 108 million Americans who routinely enjoy this traditionally morning -- and increasingly daylong -- ritual. In practical terms, regular coffee drinkers include the majority of U.S. adults and a growing number of children.

"Overall, the research shows that coffee is far more healthful than it is harmful," says Tomas DePaulis, PhD, research scientist at Vanderbilt University's Institute for Coffee Studies, which conducts its own medical research and tracks coffee studies from around the world. "For most people, very little bad comes from drinking it, but a lot of good."

Consider this: At least six studies indicate that people who drink coffee on a regular basis are up to 80% less likely to develop Parkinson's, with three showing the more they drink, the lower the risk. Other research shows that compared to not drinking coffee, at least two cups daily can translate to a 25% reduced risk of colon cancer, an 80% drop in liver cirrhosis risk, and nearly half the risk of gallstones.

Coffee even offsets some of the damage caused by other vices, some research indicates. "People who smoke and are heavy drinkers have less heart disease and liver damage when they regularly consume large amounts of coffee compared to those who don't," says DePaulis.

There's also some evidence that coffee may help manage asthma and even control attacks when medication is unavailable, stop a headache, boost mood, and even prevent cavities.

Is it the caffeine? The oodles of antioxidants in coffee beans, some of which become especially potent during the roasting process? Even other mysterious properties that warrant this intensive study?

Actually, yes.

Some of coffee's reported benefits are a direct result of its higher caffeine content: An eight ounce cup of drip-brewed coffee contains about 85 mg -- about three and a half times more than the same serving of tea or cola or one ounce of chocolate.

"The evidence is very strong that regular coffee consumption reduces risk of Parkinson's disease and for that, it's directly related to caffeine," DePaulis tells WebMD. "In fact, Parkinson's drugs are now being developed that contain a derivative of caffeine based on this evidence."

Caffeine is also what helps in treating asthma and headaches. Though not widely publicized, a single dose of pain reliever such as Anacin or Excedrin contains up to 120 milligrams -- what's in a hefty mug o' Joe.

Boost to Athleticism

It's also caffeine -- and not coffee, per se -- that makes java a powerful aid in enhancing athletic endurance and performance, says physiologist and longtime coffee researcher Terry Graham, PhD, of the University of Guelph in Canada. So powerful, in fact, that until recently, caffeine in coffee or other forms was deemed a "controlled" substance by the Olympic Games Committee, meaning that it could be consumed only in small, designated amounts by competing athletes.

"What caffeine likely does is stimulate the brain and nervous system to do things differently," he tells WebMD. "That may include signaling you to ignore fatigue or recruit extra units of muscle for intense athletic performance. Caffeine may even have a direct effect on muscles themselves, causing them to produce a stronger contraction. But what's amazing about it is that unlike some performance-enhancing manipulation some athletes do that are specific for strength or sprinting or endurance, studies show that caffeine positively enhances all of these things."

How does this brew affect growing minds and bodies? Very nicely, it seems, says DePaulis. Coffee, as you probably know, makes you more alert, which can boost concentration. But claims that it improves a child's academic performance can be exaggerated. Coffee-drinking kids may do better on school tests because they're more awake, but most task-to-task lab studies suggest that coffee doesn't really improve mental performance, says DePaulis.

But it helps kids' minds in another way. "There recently was a study from Brazil finding that children who drink coffee with milk each day are less likely to have depression than other children," he tells WebMD. "In fact, no studies show that coffee in reasonable amounts is in any way harmful to children."

On the flip side, it's clear that coffee isn't for everyone. Its legendary jolt in excess doses -- that is, more than whatever your individual body can tolerate -- can increase nervousness, hand trembling, and cause rapid heartbeat. Coffee may also raise cholesterol levels in some people and may contribute to artery clogging. But most recent large studies show no significant adverse affects on most healthy people, although pregnant women, heart patients, and those at risk for osteoporosis may still be advised to limit or avoid coffee.

The bottom line: "People who already drink a lot of coffee don't have to feel 'guilty' as long as coffee does not affect their daily life," says Hu. "They may actually benefit from coffee habits in the long run."

In other words, consume enough caffeine -- whether it's from coffee or another source -- and you will likely run faster, last longer and be stronger. What's enough? As little as one cup can offer some benefit, but the real impact comes from at least two mugs, says Graham. By comparison, it'd take at least eight glasses of cola to get the same effect, which isn't exactly conducive for running a marathon.

But the harder you exercise, the more benefit you may get from coffee. "Unfortunately, where you see the enhancing effects from caffeine is in hard-working athletes, who are able to work longer and somewhat harder," says Graham, who has studied the effects of caffeine and coffee for nearly two decades. "If you a recreational athlete who is working out to reduce weight or just feel better, you're not pushing yourself hard enough to get an athletic benefit from coffee or other caffeinated products."

But you can get other benefits from coffee that have nothing to do with caffeine. "Coffee is loaded with antioxidants, including a group of compounds called quinines that when administered to lab rats, increases their insulin sensitivity" he tells WebMD. This increased sensitivity improves the body's response to insulin.

That may explain why in that new Harvard study, those drinking decaf coffee but not tea beverages also showed a reduced diabetes risk, though it was half as much as those drinking caffeinated coffee.

"We don't know exactly why coffee is beneficial for diabetes," lead researcher Frank Hu, MD, tells WebMD. "It is possible that both caffeine and other compounds play important roles. Coffee has large amounts of antioxidants such as chlorogenic acid and tocopherols, and minerals such as magnesium. All these components have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism."

Meanwhile, Italian researchers credit another compound called trigonelline, which gives coffee its aroma and bitter taste, for having both antibacterial and anti-adhesive properties to help prevent dental cavities from forming. There are other theories for other conditions.

WebMD Feature

SOURCES: Tomas DePaulis, PhD, research scientist, Vanderbilt University's Institute for Coffee Studies; research assistant professor of psychiatry, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville. Terry Graham, PhD, University of Guelph, Canada. Frank Hu, MD, PhD, associate professor of nutrition and epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston. Hu, F. Annals of Internal Medicine, January 2004; vol 140; pp 1-8. Benedetti MD, Neurology, July 12, 2000; vol 55; pp 1350-1358. Ross, G. TheJournal of the American Medical Association, May 24, 2000; vol 283; pp 2674-2679. Gazzani, G. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Feb. 27, 2000. Leitzmann, M. TheJournal of the American Medical Association, June 9, 1999, vol 281; pp 2106-2122. Giovannucci, E. American Journal of Epidemiology, June 1, 1998; vol 147; pp 1043-1052. Pagano, R. Chest, August 1988; vol 94; pp 387-389.

Medically updated March 4, 2005

Reviewed on January 26, 2004

[Chuck Nessa]

Coffee has always been good for you. So has beer and whiskey. I'll be depressed when they decide smack is fine, since I've avoided that.

Nembutal bad.

[alocispepraluger102]

Coffee has always been good for you. So has beer and whiskey. I'll be depressed when they decide smack is fine, since I've avoided that.

Nembutal bad.

when working in the factory i scoffed for years at the myriad ignorant coffee addicts.

[Uncle Skid]

Coffee (whiskey and beer, as well) is FAR superior to regular pepsi cola.

That shit'll kill ya!

[alocispepraluger102]

Coffee (whiskey and beer, as well) is FAR superior to regular pepsi cola.

That shit'll kill ya!

oh god! aloc-ispep-raluger!

[ghost of miles]

All hail the mighty bean! They'll have to pry my coffee mug from my hot, trembling fingers, etc.

To quote the owner of L.A.'s 5th St. Dick's (coffeehouse in the Leimert Park area):

There are three things in the whole world I love to do most... sit on my ass... drink coffee... and listen to jazz.

[GA Russell]

Of the various fast food restaurants, I like the relatively new McDonald's coffee the best. But that is only before noon. I find that everybody lets the coffee go stale after noon except Burger King. BK has a machine that always makes a fresh cup, so I like it best after noon.

The worst IMO is Hardee's, which is too weak.

[Harold_Z]

Bottom line:

COFFEE IS A NECESSITY. I CAN'T DO WITHOUT IT. ESPESCIALLY IN THE MORNING !!!!

[Jim Alfredson]

My wife would agree with you, Harold.

My problem is I only like really, really expensive coffee. Therefor, I do not drink coffee regularly, because I can't afford the really good stuff.

[GA Russell]

Any recommendations Jim?

[mike casinghino]

coffee,the new health food?research funded by juan valdez.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

coffee,the new health food?research funded by juan valdez.

Got to agree, Mike; this bears all the hallmarks of funded research.

I'm a tea man myself. Though there's less caffeine in tea, I drink so much...

Rev J M Gates - "Death may be your Santa Claus".

MG

[J Larsen]

My wife would agree with you, Harold.

My problem is I only like really, really expensive coffee. Therefor, I do not drink coffee regularly, because I can't afford the really good stuff.

I used to buy either Kona or an Australian bean that I can not remember the name of at around $30/lb.

However, if you can find it, there is a coffee from Vietnam called "Duy Dung" that is even better than what I used to drink and costs about half as much. Check your local asian grocery. It comes in a red box (the beans themselves are vacuum packed in a plastic bag within).

Edited April 7, 2007 by J Larsen

[alocispepraluger102]

Of the various fast food restaurants, I like the relatively new McDonald's coffee the best. But that is only before noon. I find that everybody lets the coffee go stale after noon except Burger King. BK has a machine that always makes a fresh cup, so I like it best after noon.

The worst IMO is Hardee's, which is too weak.

McDonalds creams Starbucks in Coffee survey

[Published: Friday 2, February 2007 - 17:27]

Consumer testers in the US have declared coffee from McDonald's better than the brew at Starbucks.

The burger chain's Premium Roast was chosen as the tastiest by Consumer Reports magazine.

It also beat the offerings at Burger King and Dunkin' Donuts.

The trained sippers found the $1.55 Starbucks coffee ``strong, but burnt and bitter'', according to the New York Post.

But the cheaper McDonald's caffeine fix, costing $1.35 was ``decent and moderately strong''.

``Although it lacked the subtle top notes needed to make it rise and shine, it had no flaws,'' the magazine said.

Burger King got a roasting for a drink that ``looked like coffee but tasted more like hot water'', while the beverage at Dunkin' Donuts was ``inoffensive, but it had no oomph''.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/wor...icle2209817.ece

© Belfast Telegraph

[J Larsen]

I give Starbucks credit for two things: 1) drastically raising the bar for average coffee and 2) giving relatively decent jobs with benefits to people who otherwise would, for the most part, likely be working in fast food chains.

On the downside, Starbuck's espresso and espresso drinks are among the worst I've ever had.

[Harold_Z]

OK. I'll be a phillistine.

I really like Chock Full O'Nuts Original Blend.

Not expensive and it's what I regularly use at home

[BFrank]

Trader Joe's has a good selection of coffees at very reasonable prices.

[J Larsen]

I had a coffee snob over today and got him hooked on Duy Dung. He couldn't believe it came out of such a cheap-looking box. I'm telling you, this stuff is the real deal.

[J Larsen]

Just to comment on the original post, I think it has been acknowledged for some time that coffee is really good for you in some ways and really bad in others. It is a great antioxidant, powerful antihistimine and has been shown to promote good prostate health in men. On the other hand, it is extremely corrosive to your stomach lining and esophogus; it is the first thing the doc tells you to cut out if you develop an ulcer. So like most things, it has its plusses and minuses.