OMFG! I'm giving up coffee.

[MarineHawk]

Originally Posted by Harvard

Coffee: The New Health Food?

Plenty of health benefits are brewing in America's beloved beverage. By Sid Kirchheimer

Want a drug that could lower your risk of diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and colon cancer? That could lift your mood and treat headaches? That could lower your risk of cavities?

If it sounds too good to be true, think again.

Coffee, the much maligned but undoubtedly beloved beverage, just made headlines for possibly cutting the risk of the latest disease epidemic, type 2 diabetes. And the real news seems to be that the more you drink, the better.

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.

"Overall, the research shows that coffee is far more healthful than it is harmful," says Tomas DePaulis, PhD, research scientist at Vanderbilt University's Institute for Coffee Studies, which conducts its own medical research and tracks coffee studies from around the world. "For most people, very little bad comes from drinking it, but a lot of good."

Consider this: At least six studies indicate that people who drink coffee on a regular basis are up to 80% less likely to develop Parkinson's, with three showing the more they drink, the lower the risk. Other research shows that compared to not drinking coffee, at least two cups daily can translate to a 25% reduced risk of colon cancer, an 80% drop in liver cirrhosis risk, and nearly half the risk of gallstones.

Coffee even offsets some of the damage caused by other vices, some research indicates. "People who smoke and are heavy drinkers have less heart disease and liver damage when they regularly consume large amounts of coffee compared to those who don't," says DePaulis.

There's also some evidence that coffee may help manage asthma and even control attacks when medication is unavailable, stop a headache, boost mood, and even prevent cavities.

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.

"The evidence is very strong that regular coffee consumption reduces risk of Parkinson's disease and for that, it's directly related to caffeine," DePaulis tells WebMD. "In fact, Parkinson's drugs are now being developed that contain a derivative of caffeine based on this evidence."

Caffeine is also what helps in treating asthma and headaches. Though not widely publicized, a single dose of pain reliever such as Anacin or Excedrin contains up to 120 milligrams -- what's in a hefty mug o' Joe.

Boost to Athleticism

It's also caffeine -- and not coffee, per se -- that makes java a powerful aid in enhancing athletic endurance and performance, says physiologist and longtime coffee researcher Terry Graham, PhD, of the University of Guelph in Canada. So powerful, in fact, that until recently, caffeine in coffee or other forms was deemed a "controlled" substance by the Olympic Games Committee, meaning that it could be consumed only in small, designated amounts by competing athletes.

"What caffeine likely does is stimulate the brain and nervous system to do things differently," he tells WebMD. "That may include signaling you to ignore fatigue or recruit extra units of muscle for intense athletic performance. Caffeine may even have a direct effect on muscles themselves, causing them to produce a stronger contraction. But what's amazing about it is that unlike some performance-enhancing manipulation some athletes do that are specific for strength or sprinting or endurance, studies show that caffeine positively enhances all of these things."

In other words, consume enough caffeine -- whether it's from coffee or another source -- and you will likely run faster, last longer and be stronger. What's enough? As little as one cup can offer some benefit, but the real impact comes from at least two mugs, says Graham. By comparison, it'd take at least eight glasses of cola to get the same effect, which isn't exactly conducive for running a marathon. But the harder you exercise, the more benefit you may get from coffee. "Unfortunately, where you see the enhancing effects from caffeine is in hard-working athletes, who are able to work longer and somewhat harder," says Graham, who has studied the effects of caffeine and coffee for nearly two decades. "If you a recreational athlete who is working out to reduce weight or just feel better, you're not pushing yourself hard enough to get an athletic benefit from coffee or other caffeinated products."

But you can get other benefits from coffee that have nothing to do with caffeine. "Coffee is loaded with antioxidants, including a group of compounds called quinines that when administered to lab rats, increases their insulin sensitivity" he tells WebMD. This increased sensitivity improves the body's response to insulin.

That may explain why in that new Harvard study, those drinking decaf coffee but not tea beverages also showed a reduced diabetes risk, though it was half as much as those drinking caffeinated coffee.

"We don't know exactly why coffee is beneficial for diabetes," lead researcher Frank Hu, MD, tells WebMD. "It is possible that both caffeine and other compounds play important roles. Coffee has large amounts of antioxidants such as chlorogenic acid and tocopherols, and minerals such as magnesium. All these components have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism."

Meanwhile, Italian researchers credit another compound called trigonelline, which gives coffee its aroma and bitter taste, for having both antibacterial and anti-adhesive properties to help prevent dental cavities from forming. There are other theories for other conditions.

http://www.webmd.com/content/Article...m?pagenumber=1

[f5fstop]

There are studies that show caffeine is bad, there are studies that show caffeine is good, which do you believe? I know I certainly would not believe a study from a website attempting to sell me caffeine free products.

I have consumed coffee since I was 18, I am considerably older than that. I have no high blood pressure, cholesterol is 10 points higher on the bad, but 15 on the good, and working on that. I drink approx. 2 pots of coffee on a normal workday. My fellow workers would not like me to quit.

So, if coffee is not having any adverse affects on you, why quit?

[h2co-pilot]

Originally Posted by f5fstop

There are studies that show caffeine is bad, there are studies that show caffeine is good, which do you believe? I know I certainly would not believe a study from a website attempting to sell me caffeine free products.

I have consumed coffee since I was 18, I am considerably older than that. I have no high blood pressure, cholesterol is 10 points higher on the bad, but 15 on the good, and working on that. I drink approx. 2 pots of coffee on a normal workday. My fellow workers would not like me to quit.

So, if coffee is not having any adverse affects on you, why quit?

Well, I think it is having some adverse affects on me. That's how I found it. But I drink 7-9 big cups a day- all day- until I go to bed. So it is understandable- anything like that will be negative. But I kept reading those good studies and it made me feel better. Nobody loves coffee more than me.

I can get antioxidants from better sources and curb colon cancer and help digestion with increasing my fiber. (Which I have met my daily requirements for a month or more and feel great.)

It really helps me clean the house, workout and get through the day. It curbs my appetite and ups my metabolism. But I am confident my body will adjust.

One cup a day or maybe even two- in the morning (before I workout- for the metabolism) should be fine. But I am going to try to do without it for awhile.

[DRTYFN]

Originally Posted by h2co-pilot

But I drink 7-9 big cups a day- all day- until I go to bed.

Addictive personality???

[h2co-pilot]

Originally Posted by DRTYFN

Addictive personality???

Ya Think? I swear if I grew up in a different place or circumstance I would have been a crack whore.

Last night I went to bed with the worst headache. I fell asleep in a fetal postition under blankets rubbing and pressing my head (I know I am going to get a pimple. ) It was awful.

But I fell asleep 2 hours before I normally do and woke up at 5:00AM feeling great! (Washed my face and rubbed alcohol on my forehead.) Like I used too. In a great mood. My eyes aren't puffy either.

I had a cup of coffee and did some stationary toning excercises and I could feel it burn more. I did more reps becauseI had more energy. Love it.

[CO Hummer]

I'm about to go make a big cup of Cafe Du Monde coffee. You know the that stuff - real rich french coffee, with chickory in it. I'm going to load it up with sweetened condensed milk too.

YUMM.

[DRTYFN]

Originally Posted by h2co-pilot

I fell asleep in a fetal postition under blankets rubbing and pressing my head (I know I am going to get a pimple. ) It was awful.

With your fingers?

[CO Hummer]

Whoo Hoo! I just had myself a nice Grande Chai Latte from Starbucks. mmm. gooood.

I'm gonna fire me up a Vietnamese style iced-coffee this afternoon. But before that I'm gonna do good cup of Ti Kuan Yin, sort of break before I get back to the caffeine binge-a-thon.

[K9sH3]

Originally Posted by f5fstop

I drink approx. 2 pots of coffee on a normal workday.

Damn!!!! I don't even know you cept for on here, and I don't want you to stop. Your body would go in shock and then who would we get our info from?

[KenP]

You all don't know the size of the cups she uses. I swear they're 24oz models and she would drink 8-9 a DAY!

She just left the house with a bottle of water. We'll see how this pans out. :fingerscrossed:

[BKLYNH2]

I drink it almost black and no sugar. Stop drinking sugar and you will be helping yourself out alot.
I drink about 3 or four mugs a day so I guess I'm not that bad, but if you ever made me cut them out, I'd probably kill you. Not a quick and painless death either mind you, it would be slow and horrible.

[MarineHawk]

Originally Posted by BKLYNH2

I drink it almost black and no sugar. Stop drinking sugar and you will be helping yourself out alot.
I drink about 3 or four mugs a day so I guess I'm not that bad, but if you ever made me cut them out, I'd probably kill you. Not a quick and painless death either mind you, it would be slow and horrible.

LOL.

I hope these become commercially available soon: http://www.dbusinessnews.com/shownew...type_news=past

[Sewie]

I drank two cups just reading this thread.

But that's usually my limit as far as coffee goes. I rarely drink it in the afternoon/evening. And I'm trying to cut back on other caffeine throughout the day, like drinking water instead of soda.