Coffee as a Health DrinkCoffee is not usually thought of as health food, but a number of recent studies suggest that it can be a highly beneficial drink. Researchers have found strong evidence that coffee reduces the risk of several serious ailments, including diabetes, heart disease and cirrhosis of the liver. New study finds that a cup of joe reduces risk of serious ailments. Coffee is not usually thought of as health food, but a number of recent studies suggest that it can be a highly beneficial drink. People who drink only an occasional cup of coffee may be at higher risk of heart attack than heavy drinkers, a new study has found. Coffee contains antioxidants that help control the cell damage that can contribute to the development of the disease. It is also a source of chlorogenic acid, which has been shown in animal experiments to reduce glucose concentrations. Caffeine, perhaps coffee’s most famous component, seems to have little to do with it; studies that looked at decaffeinated coffee alone found the same degree of risk reduction. Caffeine has been earning some street cred. From helping to decrease the risk of certain cancers to increasing one's ability to focus, it seems the laundry list of health benefits associated with coffee far outweigh the risks. Studies have shown that caffeine decreases the risk of type 2 diabetes and Parkinson's disease, as well as fostering increased energy and improved athletic ability. What's next? Are we going to hear that coffee cures the common cold, improves our sex life and prevents baldness? Some studies show that cardiovascular risk also decreases with coffee consumption. Using data on more than 27,000 women ages 55 to 69 in the Iowa Women’s Health Study who were followed for 15 years, Norwegian researchers found that women who drank one to three cups a day reduced their risk of cardiovascular disease by 24 percent compared with those drinking no coffee at all. Rob van Dam, a Harvard scientist and the lead author of The Journal of the American Medical Association review, acknowledged that caffeine could increase blood pressure and slightly increase levels of the amino acid homocysteine, possibly raising the risk for heart disease. “I wouldn’t advise people to increase their consumption of coffee in order to lower their risk of disease,” Dr. van Dam said, “but the evidence is that for most people without specific conditions, coffee is not detrimental to health. If people enjoy drinking it, it’s comforting to know that they don’t have to be afraid of negative health effects.” Conclusion: Certainly, there have been many other studies conducted on coffee and health and many more will be performed in the future. But before you jump to the conclusion that you are going to die a premature death, read the article a little closer and seek out related articles to see if there is conflicting data. And in the meantime, enjoy your coffee in moderation. For More Details Click Here
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