Now almost everything and anything is discussed over a cup of coffee. It’s become an international tradition.
Speaking of coffee, I remember that Folgers Coffee commercial theme song.
“The best part of waking up, with Folgers in your cup”
Waking up to the aroma of coffee gives us a sensational kick. But why are we so obsessed? What is it about coffee that has us storming back for more? Is it the caffeine or is it something else?
These are all good questions, so lets see what we can dig up.
Most people see coffee drinking, and the consumption of caffeine with it as an acceptable addiction.
However, there are some who are wary of putting coffee or caffeine in the same category as stronger addictions.
Let’s take a closer look to determine whether caffeine truly is addictive.
Coffee contains caffeine, a natural substance also found (in smaller amounts) in tea, chocolate and sodas. Caffeine has various effects on the body, including the ability to increase metabolism, enhance exercise performance and boost your mood.
After consumption, caffeine takes up to 30–60 minutes to reach its maximal concentration in the blood. Effects tend to last between three to nine hours, depending on the person.
The reason why we all love coffee is because it keeps us going!! Now the important question is..
What are the Health Benefits of Coffee?
- Antioxidants:
Antioxidants fight inflammation, an underlying cause of many chronic conditions, including arthritis, atherosclerosis and many types of cancer.
- Cognitive Decline:
Researchers found that drinking three to five cups of coffee daily was associated with a 65 percent decreased risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia in later life.
- Heart Health:
People who consumed between two to four cups daily had a 20 percent lower risk of heart disease.
- Prevent Cancer:
Researchers have also found ties between regular coffee drinking and lower rates of liver, colon, breast, and rectal cancers.
- Lessen risk of developing type 2 diabetes:
People who regularly drink four or more cups daily had a 50 percent lower risk of developing diabetes than light drinkers or nondrinkers.
- Liver Health:
Coffee consumption has been linked to a lower incidence of cirrhosis, especially alcoholic cirrhosis. Elevated levels of liver enzymes typically reflect inflammation and damage to the liver. The more coffee subjects drank, the lower their levels of enzymes.
- Enhance Exercise Performance:
Caffeine is a performance and endurance enhancer; not only does it fight fatigue, but it also boosts muscle contraction, and increases fatty acids in the blood.
- Lower Risk of Multiple Sclerosis.
Research shows that at least 4 cups of coffee a day may help protect against the development and reoccurrence of Multiple Sclerosis. It is also believed that the coffee prevents the neural inflammation that possibly leads to the disease developing.
- Longevity
Research studies have confirmed what earlier studies have found that people who drink coffee live longer than those who don’t.
Although coffee may have fewer risks compared to benefits, keep in mind that other beverages, such as milk and some fruit juices, contain nutrients that coffee doesn’t. Adding cream and sugar to your coffee adds fat and calories — up to hundreds of calories in some cases.
The best way to find beans that are free of chemicals is to look for the 100% Organic seal or visit a local coffee farm and buy them directly from the grower.
References:
- Topik, Steven; Pomeranz, Kenneth (2014). “3.3 Mocha Is Not Chocolate”. The World That Trade Created. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-45382-6. Retrieved June 8, 2018. “Although Coffea arabica appeared in a native plant in Ethiopia, the coffee beverage was probably developed around 1400 in the Yemeni city of Mocha.”
- ^ Maurin, O.; Davis, A.P.; Chester, M.; Myungi, E.F.; Jaufeerally-Fakim, Y.; Fay, M. F. (2007). “Towards a Phylogeny for Coffea (Rubiaceae): Identifying Well-supported Lineages Based on Nuclear and Plastid DNA Sequences”. Annals of Botany. 100 (7): 1565–83. doi:10.1093/aob/mcm257. PMC 2759236. PMID 17956855.
- ^ Cappelletti S, Piacentino D, Daria P, Sani G, Aromatario M (January 2015). “Caffeine: cognitive and physical performance enhancer or psychoactive drug?”. Current Neuropharmacology. 13 (1): 71–88. doi:10.2174/1570159X13666141210215655. PMC 4462044. PMID 26074744.
- ^ Jump up to:
a b Oder, Tom (June 9, 2015). “How coffee changed the world”. Mother Nature Network. Narrative Content Group. Retrieved June 8, 2018. - ^ Jump up to:
a b c d e f Poole R, Kennedy OJ, Roderick P, Fallowfield JA, Hayes PC, Parkes J (November 2017). “Coffee consumption and health: umbrella review of meta-analyses of multiple health outcomes”. BMJ. 359: j5024. doi:10.1136/bmj.j5024. PMC 5696634. PMID 29167102. - ^ Jump up to:
a b c d e Weinberg & Bealer 2001, pp. 3–4 - ^ Wild, Antony (2004). Coffee: A dark history. Fourth Estate. pp. 217–29. ISBN 978-1-84115-649-1.
- ^ “FAOSTAT Core Trade Data (commodities/years)”. FAO Statistics Division. 2007. Archived from the original on October 14, 2007. Retrieved October 24, 2007. To retrieve export values: Select the “commodities/years” tab. Under “subject”, select “Export value of primary commodity.” Under “country,” select “World.” Under “commodity,” hold down the shift key while selecting all commodities under the “single commodity” category. Select the desired year and click “show data.” A list of all commodities and their export values will be displayed.
