COFFEE - PROS/CONS OF HEALTH

A new cottage type industry has sprung up over the past twenty-five years that has looked at the health aspect of coffee drinking. It’s no surprise because worldwide over four hundred million portions are drunk daily. However, health experts have questioned its safety. Recent studies have shown that the benefits may outweigh the risks.

The prime ingredient in your cup of cappuccino is caffeine. It a known type of stimulant. Blood pressures rise, heart rates increase and sometimes this can result in irregular beats. However scientists are sure the effects are only mild and only temporary. In contrast to this, new information suggests certain healthy aspects.

A cure for cancer? No – plenty of evidence shows that it may help minimalise any risk of colon cancer, but only if you drink four plus cups a day. Unfortunately that level of drinking could have counteraffects also.


Heard the saying, everything in moderation? Well this is also true of coffee. As with wine, coffee has antioxidants that do protect you against heart diseases and some cancers. It removes the cells that destroy oxygen from your blood. However, others contend that you get more from apples, cranberries and tomatoes. Others suggest vitamins, minerals and fibre in vegetables and fruit are best.

Chinese scientists show that drinking your coffee can reduce the horrible symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. Drinking regular and decaffeinated coffees, according to the Scandinavians and Americans may also reduce type 2 diabetes. Note - Scandinavians have the highest consumption worldwide.

It is also said that it may help in the reduction of kidney and gallstones. Improvements in digestion because of the increase in the stomach’s acid are also apparent.

If you are an asthmatic, ask your doctor about evidence that it can help lower constrictions in airways. Interestingly, coffee has theophylline, a well-known bronchiodialator.

Unfortunately there also risks. It is known that male sperm swim fast, go further and last longer in coffee laced fluids, but female fertility can suffer. Others may suffer high amounts of homocyteine levels in their blood, which can cause heart disease if you drink too much. Harmful LDL cholesterol has been found due to increased levels of cafestol produced during the European water boiling process. Thankfully filters and percolators remove most of it.

There has been a noticeable rise in calcium loss and a decrease in bone density in coffee consuming women versus those who don’t. Four cups daily may give you incontinence. Others may find sensitivity to caffeine that in my personal experience with one main coffee-house can cause hormonal changes to the point of getting non-malignant breast tumours.

Fortunately the benefits do outweigh the risk as long as you stick to moderate drinking. However for those truly caffeine addicted folk, especially those who cannot survive on moderate levels, try drinking a cola. You can get your fix with 1/3 caffeine to every ounce. There again maybe a cola versus a latte is not worth the gamble.

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HOW TO KNOW WHEN YOU ARE GETTING TOO MUCH CAFFEINE

Nine out of 10 Americans consume some type of caffeine on a daily basis. Beverages that contain caffeine are among the most popular behavior-altering drug or beverage available without prescription. Within an hour the affects of caffeine include a wide-eyed alert feeling, more energy and a drive toward productivity. It is no wonder so many people rely on daily doses of caffeine to battle fatigue and ill dispositions.

When is caffeine use considered to be too much? There are certain circumstances that call for reducing the amount of caffeine you consumer. Study after study suggests moderate caffeine intake is not likely to cause harm, however, too much can affect your health, and too much caffeine can be different for each individual. Heavy daily caffeine consumption is defined as more than 500 to 600 mg. a day, or about four to seven cups of coffee. Think about your daily caffeine habits and review the following. If any of these physical symptoms apply, you may need to cut back on your caffeine consumption.


• Restlessness
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Muscle tremors
• Sleeplessness
• Headaches
• Nausea, diarrhea or other gastrointestinal problems
• Abnormal heart rhythms

If you have caffeine sensitivity just small amounts may cause unwanted physical symptoms such as anxiety, restlessness and irritability. The more sensitive you are to caffeine, the less you need to consume on a daily basis.

Each person’s caffeine sensitivity may depend on many factors that include:

• Body mass: If you have a smaller body mass you will probably feel the effects of caffeine sooner than those with larger body masses.
• History of caffeine use: If you are not a regular user of caffeine you may be more susceptible to its negative effects than are people who do.
• Stress: All types of stress can increase a person’s sensitivity to caffeine.
• Age
• Smoking habits
• Drug or hormone use and other health conditions such as anxiety disorders

Additional Factors that May Influence how your Body Reacts to Caffeine:

Chronically losing sleep due to the consumption of too much caffeine results in sleep deprivation. Sleep loss accumulates. Nightly decreases can add up and eventually start to disturb your daytime functioning. Sleep deprivation can cause impaired memory, mood swings, lack of concentration and poor performance at work or school. If you determine the cause of your sleep deprivation is too much caffeine, you need to cut back on the amount of caffeine you consume.

Some antibiotics such as Cipro and Noroxin can increase the length of time caffeine remains in your body and cause unwanted physical symptoms.

Theophylline used to open up bronchial airways sometimes has caffeine-like effects. Theophylline use along with caffeinated foods and beverages may increase the concentration of theophylline in your blood. Physical symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and heart palpitations may result.

The herbal dietary supplement of ephedra increases risk of heart attack, stroke, seizures and death. Ephedra combined with caffeine is even more risky. The Food and Drug Administration has banned ephedra in the marketplace because of the health concerns. The ban only applies to dietary supplements and not herbal teas that may contain the herb.

Your doctor or pharmacist is the best source to tell you whether or not caffeine might affect your prescription drugs.

Tips on How to Reduce Caffeine Consumption:

• Gradually reduce the amount of caffeine you consume. Drink one less can of soda, one less cup of coffee or a smaller cup of coffee each day.
• Replace caffeinated coffee, tea and soda with decaffeinated beverages
• Brew tea for less time to cut down on caffeine content, or choose herbal teas without caffeine stimulant
• Switch to caffeine-free versions of over-the-counter medications you take

For most adults, caffeine is a part of daily life and most often does not pose a health problem.

Source: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (2007)

Disclaimer: *This article is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any kind of a health problem. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Always consult with your health care provider about any kind of a health problem and especially before beginning any kind of an exercise routine.

Summary: When is caffeine use considered to be too much? There are certain circumstances that call for reducing the amount of caffeine you consumer. Study after study suggests moderate caffeine intake is not likely to cause harm, however, too much can affect your health, and too much caffeine can be different for each individual.

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