It’s surprising when something that was once
considered questionable for your health turns out to have health
benefits, usually with the proviso to use it “in moderation.” That
happened with chocolate and alcohol, and now it is coffee’s turn,
reports the February issue of the
Harvard Health Letter. Here’s some of the mostly good news about coffee:
Blood pressure. Results from long-term studies are
showing that coffee may not increase the risk for high blood pressure
over time, as previously thought. Study findings for other
cardiovascular effects are a mixed bag.
Cancer. Coffee might have anti-cancer properties.
Last year, researchers found that coffee drinkers were 50% less likely
to get liver cancer than nondrinkers. A few studies have found ties to
lower rates of colon, breast, and rectal cancers.
Cholesterol. Two substances in coffee — kahweol and
cafestol — raise cholesterol levels. Paper filters capture these
substances, but that doesn’t help the many people who now drink
non-filtered coffee drinks, such as lattes. Researchers have also found a
link between cholesterol increases and decaffeinated coffee, possibly
because of the type of bean used to make certain decaffeinated coffees.
Diabetes. Heavy coffee drinkers may be half as
likely to get diabetes as light drinkers or nondrinkers. Coffee may
contain chemicals that lower blood sugar. A coffee habit may also
increase your resting metabolism rate, which could help keep diabetes at
bay.
Parkinson’s disease. Coffee seems to protect men,
but not women, against Parkinson’s disease. One possible explanation for
the sex difference may be that estrogen and caffeine need the same
enzymes to be metabolized, and estrogen captures those enzymes.
We always knew that it tasted great and gave us a boost, but now we find that it also has some pretty great health effects! Raise a cup of coffee to your health:)!
The Gourmet Coffee Company provides office coffee service
throughout
South Florida - Coral Gables, Downtown Miami, Brickell, Aventura, Miami
Beach, Downtown Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Weston and all of West
Palm Beach - anywhere in the tri county area. To demo of any of
our systems or receive a proposal, please contact The Gourmet Coffee Company at 305-698-0990 or info@thegourmetcoffeeco.com.
