Tag: Coffee

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Health

Coffee…for diabetes, Parkinson’s, liver and more?

I love my morning coffee, so I “perk up” whenever I see a study that suggests this habit is a good thing! Are you a coffee lover too? Then read on…

Overall, coffee drinkers were found to have more health benefits than risks from their habit, compared to those who did not drink any coffee. The average daily intake in those who were studied was 3 to 4 cups per day compared to no coffee daily, although some studies looked at how health changed in the years after people increased or decreased their coffee intake by a cup or two.

5 Benefits of coffee

  1. Coffee and diabetes—a 2014 study followed over 123,000 people for 4 years. Those who increased their daily coffee intake by 1 cup per day had an 11% lower chance of developing Type 2 diabetes. Those who decreased their coffee consumption (by an average of 2 cups per day) had a 17% higher risk for Type 2 diabetes. Changes in tea drinking were not linked to diabetes risk.

  2. Coffee and Parkinson’s disease—Several studies suggest that caffeine, whether in coffee or other drinks, may help decrease risk of developing Parkinson’s. One analysis determined that men who drink 4 or more coffees per day may have 1/5 the risk of those who do not. Another study in 2012 suggests that the caffeine in coffee may help control movement in people with Parkinson’s. Another study in 2017, that found a link between coffee intake and Parkinson’s, also noted coffee drinkers may be less likely to develop depression and dementias like Alzheimer’s as well. However, there wasn’t evidence to show that drinking decaf coffee would help prevent Parkinson’s.

  3. Coffee and liver diseases—Researchers in Italy found that coffee decreases risk of liver cancer by about 40%. Their numbers suggest those who drink 3 cups a day may have 50% decreased risk of liver cancer. A different literature review in 2019 concluded that “coffee intake probably reduces the risk of liver cancer”. Another large analysis in 2017 found coffee also appeared to decrease risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cirrhosis, as well as liver cancer.

  4. Coffee and heart health—We often think negatively of coffee when it comes to heart health, since people are advised not to drink it just before measuring their blood pressure. But drinking coffee in moderation, two 8-ounce servings per day, may protect against heart failure (when the heart can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs), according to a 2012 study. They found an 11% lower risk of heart failure in those who drank this moderate amount versus those who drank none. Another analysis in 2017 found that those who drank 4 to 6 cups of either caffeinated or decaf coffee daily appeared to have a lower risk of Metabolic Syndrome—in other words, they had lower blood pressure, lower blood cholesterol, and lower blood sugar—and this included a decreased occurrence of Type 2 diabetes.

  5. Overall health—An umbrella study in 2017, using combined data from 218 other analyses of studies, found coffee consumption seems generally safe within usual daily amounts. It showed the largest risk reduction in those who drank 3 to 4 cups daily and that coffee is more likely to benefit health than harm it. Mortality from any cause was reduced by 17% in these coffee drinkers.

An exception to the benefit of coffee is during pregnancy, when drinking more coffee could result in low birth weight of the baby (31% greater relative risk), increased risk of pregnancy loss (an increase of 46%) and increased chance of preterm birth (12-22%). Another exception is for women at risk of bone fractures (but not men for some reason…). Increased coffee was associated with an increased risk of breaking a bone only in women. Their recommendation was for women already at risk of a bone fracture to avoid coffee.

So, I guess I can happily continue my morning coffee—no risk of pregnancy for me and my risk of bone fracture is low! I usually enjoy 3 cups as I peruse the morning news and emails, and check Facebook for photos of what my wonderful granddaughters are up to! Hmmm…must be time for cup #3…

PLEASE NOTE: A little clarification on the numbers in this blog. The percentages in this article are “relative risk” numbers not overall risk. They compare risk with the factor to risk without it. For example, a relative risk increase of 50% could mean 10% without the risk factor have the condition compared to 15% with it…or 0.01 vs 0.015%. “Actual risk” numbers were not quoted in my references, only the percentage increase in risk.)

References:

Health benefits and risks of drinking coffee https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270202.php#benefits

Changes in coffee intake and subsequent risk of type 2 diabetes: three large cohorts of US men and women https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00125-014-3235-7

Coffee consumption and health: umbrella review of meta-analyses of multiple health outcomes https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5696634/

Categories
Health

For Coffee Addicts Only…

How many times have you read that you should quit drinking coffee? Well, a new study suggests that coffee may actually be good for you…

I just read a report from the European Society of Cardiology about a study on coffee consumption done in Spain looking at the association between coffee consumption and the risk of dying in middle-aged Mediterraneans. Researchers surveyed the amount of coffee 20,000 people drank along with other lifestyle, social and demographic characteristics and previous health conditions. Then they followed them for an average of 10 years.

Here’s what they found…

  • People who drank at least four cups of coffee per day had a 64% lower risk of dying from any cause (“all-cause mortality”) than those who never or almost never drank coffee over the 10 years of follow-up.

  • There was a 22% lower risk of all-cause mortality for each two additional cups of coffee per day.

  • In those who were at least 45 years old, drinking two additional cups of coffee per day was associated with a 30% lower risk of dying during follow-up.

Very interesting, isn’t it! The researchers didn’t offer any explanation for why coffee might have this effect but here’s my theory (for what it’s worth) …

I rather doubt that it’s anything particular in the coffee (or tea for that matter, for tea enthusiasts), but more likely it’s what we do most of the time when we have a coffee: we take a break, relax, maybe chat with a friend or read a magazine. That has to help reduce our stress, and stress (I hear) is suspected as being an underlying cause of many health conditions! Coffee is often a social drink – recent studies also suggest that socialization is also good for our health and longevity, so that may be part of the effect too,.

I base my humble opinion on theories why the French have lower rates of heart disease that North Americans in spite of the rich higher-fat diet they consume… Some experts propose that it’s not so much what you eat, but how much you eat and how you eat it. Consuming food in a relaxed atmosphere with good company just seems to be healthier for us.

So, meet a friend or take a break from work with a co-worker, relax, and enjoy a tasty cup of coffee. Or, if you don’t have someone available to share a cup with, simply put your feet up, contemplate all the great things in your life and maybe listen to some of your favourite music as you enjoy the wonderful taste of a fresh cup of brew! You may just be healthier for it…

Now, I guess I’ll go get myself another cup…. umm, that will be three for today so perhaps one more later… maybe an iced coffee version…

Enjoy!

Reference: Science Daily

Categories
Health

A must-read for coffee lovers!

Many good things have been said about the benefits of drinking tea, but what about coffee? Rally ‘round, coffee lovers…here’s some good news!

An analysis of 9 studies suggested that 1 to 2 cups of coffee daily was associated with a decrease in the occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and cognitive decline or impairment. They stated that drinking a moderate 1 to 2 cups daily was found to be more beneficial than no coffee or more than 2 cups daily.

Coffee can help your circulation by improving the function of small blood vessels. A study, looking at blood flow in the finger, found a 30% increase in blood flow for 75 minutes after a cup of coffee compared to people drinking a cup of decaf. So a cup of hot java really does warm up cold hands and feet! The American Heart Association described this action as “perking up your blood vessels”… The study also noted, however, that caffeinated coffee also slightly raises blood pressure, so don’t have a cup just before checking your pressure, to ensure a true reading.

In people with chronic hepatitis-C liver infection, higher caffeine intake (123-308 mg per day) is linked to a 61% decreased risk for advanced hepatic failure, a possible outcome of hep-C infection. They also noted that the liver enzyme, ALT (an enzyme that is often elevated in liver disease), was lower in people who drank more caffeinated beverages. Two studies suggested increased coffee drinking is associated with decreased liver cancer. However, they did state that more research is needed.

Although previous studies have suggested an association between coffee drinking and lung cancer and favoured black tea as a better choice, a study sponsored by the Canadian Cancer Society and Canadian Institute for Health Research found there is no strong support for this link. Their study of over 2,500 people did not show any significant difference between coffee and black tea when it comes to lung cancer risk, once the numbers were adjusted to take smoking into consideration. Perhaps previous study results were due to people being more likely to have a cigarette with coffee than with tea!

Several compounds in coffee have been found to be protective against colorectal cancer. A 2016 study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention found that regular coffee consumption was associated with 26% lower chance of developing colorectal cancer. Additionally, the study stated that those who developed this cancer were less likely to be physically active or eat 5 or more servings of vegetables daily and were more likely to report a stronger family history of colorectal cancer.

Caffeine content is affected by the type of coffee bean, roast style, how the coffee is brewed and the cup size. An average cup of coffee is estimated to contain 95mg of caffeine but can range from less than 15mg (decaffeinated) to over 500mg for the largest sizes served at some coffee shops. See this article for more details.

References: Univadis.ca; Medscape.com