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From last decade, drinking coffee has always
create concern about possible health risks, with the advancement of
science and the recent studies by scientist suggest that drinking
coffee (decaffeinated and regular) in other way round may offer a
variety of health benefits against disease such as diabetes and
lately the deadly cancer disease. However, coffee may not be regard
in the same level as other healthful foods such as fruits,
vegetables and whole grains.
Studies also suggest that the anti-inflammatory,
antioxidant compounds in coffee could help reduce risk of cancer.
Coffee also has a tendency to speed the passage of waste through the
digestive tract. Potentially, this may lessen the time that
cancer-causing compounds spend in contact with the intestinal tract,
which could reduce the risk of colon cancer. Population studies,
however, tend to spilt between coffee intake having no effect on or
reducing risk of breast and colon cancer.
Diabetes & Coffee
The case for coffee’s ability to protect against
diabetes is strengthened by several recent studies. In the Iowa
Women’s Health Study, more than 28,000 women were followed for 11
years. The women who drank four or more cups of coffee daily were
about 20 percent less likely to develop diabetes. That became a 30
to 40 percent drop among those who drank decaf coffee.
A study
in Finland linked consumption of three to six cups of coffee per day
with a 25 percent lower risk of diabetes. In both studies, benefits
were seen after adjusting for other diabetes risks, such as weight,
diet, and activity level. Several studies now link moderate coffee
consumption with lower risk of
Type 2 diabetes. Researchers are
working to understand the potential advantage of decaf versus
regular coffee and how weight control is involved.
Potential increased risk of high blood pressure and heart disease
has been one of the long-standing concerns about coffee. Recent
studies confirm that caffeine can raise blood pressure, but this
effect is observed with soft drinks, not coffee. Laboratory studies
suggest that perhaps coffee’s healthful compounds can counterbalance
the blood-pressure raising effects of caffeine.
In the
Iowa Women’s Health Study noted above, four to five cups of coffee a
day were linked with a 19 percent lower risk of heart-related death.
Other studies have found no effect of coffee consumption on heart
disease risk. But people should follow their doctor’s advice.
I am to drink a whole pot !
Before you drink a whole pot, here a some cautions you does want to
know. Both decaf and regular coffee relax the muscle that keeps
stomach acids from rising into the throat, hence people with
Reflux Disease (GERD) or heartburn are encouraged to
strictly limit or total avoid coffee.
Studies
now suggest it is unnecessary for pregnant women to completely avoid
caffeinated coffee. Until the impact of caffeine is more clearly
understood, however, many experts suggest that pregnant women limit
their daily caffeine from coffee, soft drinks and other sources to
about 300 mg, the equivalent of three cups of regular coffee.
It’s
exciting that something as simple as drinking coffee might help
lower our risk of cancer, diabetes and heart disease. However, while
brewed coffee (not instant) is a concentrated source of
antioxidants, it can’t be a substitute for berries, legumes, nuts,
and other fruits and vegetables that provide antioxidants along with
a wide range of vitamins, protective compounds and dietary fiber.
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