Spilling those beans

Coffee’s effect on health has been attacked throughout the ages. And yet scientific evidence continues to show that not only is coffee drinking in moderation perfectly safe, it can also prove to be very healthy. Coffee not only gives you energy, but it also provides more healthful antioxidants than any other food or beverage. Joe A Vinson, a chemistry professor at the University of Scranton, Pennysylvania, give a healthy boost to the beverage. Antioxidants in coffee-known as polyphenois- are good, though coffee is not a substitute for fruits and vegetables.

Coffee keeps you alert. It is a proven fact that a cup of regular coffee containing caffeine makes you more alert. Research has also shown that a couple of cups of coffee help improve alertness and concentration during those late hours. This is very helpful for those working on night shifts. Coffee has got anti-cancer properties. Researchers found that coffee drinkers were 50 per cent less likely to get liver cancer than non-drinkers. A few studies have found ties to lower rates of colon, breast, and rectal cancers. According to researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, heavy coffee drinkers may be half as likely to get diabetes as light or non-drinkers. Coffee may contain chemicals that can lower blood sugar.

 A coffee habit may also increase your resting metabolism rate, which could help keep diabetes at bay. Studies show that the risk for type 2 diabetes is lower among regular coffee drinkers than among those who do not drink coffee. Coffee may also improve cognitive function, reduce the risk of liver damage in people and also reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease. However some studies have to say that coffee is not completely innocent. Caffeine which is coffee’s main ingredient is a mild addictive stimulant. And coffee does have modest cardiovascular effects such as increased heart rate, increased blood pressure and occasional irregular heartbeat that should be considered. Studies have been largely inconclusive regarding coffee and its effect on woman’s health issues such as breast cancer and osteoporosis. So coffee should be consumed in moderation.

Considering all the past concern about possible health risks from drinking coffee, newer reports of coffee’s possible protective effects may leave many people confused. Overall recent studies suggest that coffee may offer a variety of health benefits against diseases such as cancer and diabetes. It is fun to know that something as simple as drinking coffee might help lower our risk of many diseases, but it definitely cannot be a substitute for vegetables, fruits and whole grains!