Is Drinking Coffee Beneficial to Our Health?

DRINKING COFFEE REDUCES RISK OF DEATH & AGE-RELATED DISEASE

Despite long-held misconceptions, coffee drinking has major beneficial health effects.  A recent massive study showed a 10-15% reduction in the risk of dying among people who consumed 6 or more cups of coffee daily. Coffee drinking sharply lowers the risk of developing many chronic, age-related conditions, including cognitive decline, cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The newly discovered bio-active components in coffee are polyphenols, especially chlorogenic acid.

The standard method of processing coffee destroys much of the polyphenol content. An improved, patented method for handling coffee prior to roasting can boost the beverage’s content of chlorogenic acid and other polyphenols by more than 200%, potentially reducing the number of daily cups required to achieve optimum health.

3 COFFEES A DAY MAY WARD OFF DEMENTIA

A study in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease reports that drinking coffee may help at-risk adults over age 65 fend off Alzheimer’s disease due to the elevated blood caffeine levels.  The study involved 124 patients between the ages of 65 and 88 who displayed mild cognitive impairment, which can be interpreted as an early sign of Alzheimer’s. No patients with blood caffeine levels above 1,200 ng/mL developed the disease over a two- to-four – year period, even though the scientists expected many of the participants to develop the disease within a few years. The major or only source of caffeine for the participants was coffee.
The lead author of the study, Chuanhai Cao, stated, “The results from this study, along with our earlier studies on Alzheimer’s in mice, are very consistent in indicating that moderate daily caffeine/ coffee intake throughout adulthood should appreciably protect against Alzheimer’s disease later in life. The scientists are careful to point out that coffee consumption will not completely protect people from Alzheimer’s, but they firmly believe moderate coffee consumption can reduce a person’s risk of Alzheimer’s or delay its onset.

NUTRITION FACTS OF COFFEE

All foods contain small amounts of nutrients beyond what is stated on a nutrition facts label. A small coffee bean contains:

- - 30% polysaccharides (a carbohydrate made of multiple sugar molecules);
  - 13% lipids (fats);
  - 9% protein;
  - 5% acids;
  - 4% minerals;
  - 2.5% water;
  - 1.2 – 2.4% caffeine;
  - 0.1% flavorings, and;
  - 35% others – such as colorings, bitters, and etc.

METABOLIC BALANCE ALLOWS COFFEE

Metabolic balance offers a scientific basis to determine which foods are best for each of us. Participants in the Metabolic Balance program receive individualized meal plans that include the most wholesome foods that will work best with each person’s metabolism in order to reach optimum health. Each participant receives a shopping guide listing the right foods, and even information such as the best oil to use for cooking. Also included is a menu plan that provides the best combinations and portions based on individual goals, whether it’s to lose weight, gain weight, or just to be healthier. Most plans allow three cups of coffee daily taken with meals.

DRINKING COFFEE BETWEEN MEALS

In general the metabolic balance^® program encourages one to enjoy unflavored water in between meals as opposed to other beverages such as coffee or teas. Water may be taken hot, room temperature, iced, or as mineral water. The reason is that any sort of flavors, even the smallest touch to the lips activates the digestive system. For our metabolism to adjust properly the body’s digestive system needs to rest between meals. When the digestive system is put in gear, it is followed by increased insulin and blood sugar, interrupting the fat burning. It might also – due to the offset of the blood sugar – lead to hunger feelings between meals.

Find out more about the metabolic balance^® program that I teach at MetabolicBalanceCalifornia.com. With metabolic balance,^® it is more about how good you feel than anything else. Metabolic balance^® has individualized programs for weight management and optimal health. Contact Myra to join. Sign up for monthly news and tips.

A WORD ABOUT HOMEOPATHY AND COFFEE

It is interesting to note that as early as 1803, Samuel Hahnemann, founder of homeopathy, was against the use of coffee as a beverage. He believed it suppressed or was an antidote to the action of homeopathic remedies. This concept is agreed upon by some prominent contemporary homeopaths and disputed by others. I have seen some clients where coffee drinking, even the scent of coffee, has interfered with the action of a remedy, while others are not bothered. Again, it is a case-by-case experience.

SOURCES
Cao C. Loewenstein DA, Lin X, et. al. High blood caffeine levels in MCI Linked to lack of progression to dimentia. J. Alzheimers Dis. 2012 Mar 19
Hahnemann, Samuel, Chronic Diseases, reprint 1998 (First Ed. 1828)
www.NutrtionData.com
Stokel, Kirk, National Institute of Health Discovers Protective Effects of Coffee. Life Extension, Sept. 2012

This article was brought to you by Myra Nissen, CCH, RSHom(NA), Board Certified Classical Homeopath. Myra teaches women how to recognize their body’s unique needs and cues and uses Homeopathy to help empower women to take control of their bodies, health and well-being. Find out more, visit her blog www.myranissen.com/blog.

Posted in Featured Post, Men's Health, Total Health, Weight Management, Women's Health Programs, metabolic balanceⓇ