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.
The benefits of caffeine:
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.
When you think of immune-boosting antioxidants or a diabetes-fighting diet, coffee probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind. But, coffee is actually the number one source of antioxidants in the American diet and a proven factor in reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
According to a 2005 study at the University of Scranton, in Pennsylvania, the average adult drinking 1-2 cups of coffee a day takes in almost 1300 milligrams of coffee-derived antioxidants daily. Antioxidants are believed to help reduce the risk of heart disease, boost the immune system, fight cancer and, according to the National Cancer Institute, work to protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals, though these results have not been confirmed in humans.
Essentially, antioxidants are beneficial essential chemicals that are abundant in foods like grains, berries, tomatoes and many other fruits and vegetables. There are a wide variety of antioxidants that differ from food source to food source, but the antioxidants found in coffee specifically are called polyphenols. Polyphenols are believed to be instrumental in battling oxidative stress, a factor connected to neurodegenerative diseases and some cardiovascular conditions.
In addition to boosting immunity, coffee has been shown to lower the risk of diabetes. In 2004, a study at the Harvard School of Public Health concluded that regular coffee drinking reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease.
Out of 125,000 participants, men who reported drinking more than 6 cups of coffee a day lowered their diabetes risk by almost half, while women showed a risk reduction of close to 30 percent when compared to participants who didn't drink coffee. Though researches still don't know exactly why coffee is beneficial, they expect that caffeine's ability to increase blood sugar and boost energy use may play a part alongside the popular beverage's antioxidant content. Despite the diabetes benefits, drinking that much coffee per day can have other negative health effects, especially for those who should avoid caffeine.
Despite the health benefits, remember that caffeine is a mildly addictive stimulant, one that can increase the heart rate and raise blood pressure. Natural, or not, too much coffee can over stimulate and cause problems. Like most things, coffee should be enjoyed in moderation. But in moderate quantities, coffee can be very good for you, and a great help to your overall health and well being.
Article Source: http://www.articlenorth.com
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