Coffee: The New Health Food?

Herb-Of-The Week / Coffee: The New Health Food?

After all the bad press over the years and the berating of coffee and
all those of us who imbibe, we much maligned, long suffering coffee
drinkers have been justified. Call it intuition, but it appears that
we have known all alone about the overall good feeling, good will and
good morale generated by that very first cup of the morning.

Fascinating new research shows that there are plenty of health
benefits brewing in America's beloved beverage. "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."

It all sounds almost too good to be true!!

1.
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!!!!!!!

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.

2.
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.. again THE MORE YOU DRINK, THE
BETTER!!!!!!!

3.
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.
THE MORE YOU DRINK, THE BETTER!!!!!!!

4.
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 <<<AMOUNTS>>> of coffee compared to those who don't," says DePaulis.

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.

The latest of hundreds of studies suggest that coffee may be something
of a health food -- especially in higher amounts. 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.

And the best news of all???? THE MORE THE MERRIER!!!

But keeping it all in perspective, everything has it's advantages and
disadvantages. Coffee has been rightfully linked or associated with
problems/issues involving anxiety, depression, panic disorder, nervous
stomach, IBS and insomnia.

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<<TUESDAY EDITION>>>

WebMD Medical News Reviewed By Louise Chang, MD

June 12, 2006 -- Coffee may contain an ingredient that protects the
liver against alcoholic cirrhosiscirrhosis, a new study shows. The
study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, shows that
among more than 125,000 people studied for up to 22 years, coffee
drinkers were less likely to be diagnosed with alcoholic cirrhosis.

"These data support the hypothesis that there is an ingredient in
coffee that protects against cirrhosis, especially alcoholic
cirrhosis," the researchers write.

But they aren't recommending that anyone rely on coffee to prevent
alcoholic cirrhosis. Not drinking heavily is a better strategy for
liver health, the researchers note.

Participants signed up for the study between 1978 and 1985. They were
followed until the end of 2001. Typical coffee consumption was one to
three daily cups, noted by 42% of the group. Another 16% reported
drinking four or more daily cups of coffee.

Over the years, 330 participants were diagnosed with cirrhosis; 199 of
those cases were alcoholic cirrhosis. The remaining cases of cirrhosis
were nonalcohol related.

For every daily cup of coffee that participants reported drinking,
they were 22% less likely to have been diagnosed with alcoholic
cirrhosis during the study, Klatzky's team reports.

Klatzky's team didn't identify what ingredient in coffee might help
protect the liver from alcoholic cirrhosis.

Caffeine might not get the credit. Tea contains caffeine, but tea
consumption didn't appear to lower participants' odds of being
diagnosed with any form of cirrhosis.

SOURCES: Klatsky, A. Archives of Internal Medicine, June 12, 2006; vol
166: pp 1190-1195. News release, JAMA/Archives. News release, Kaiser
Permanente.

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But why take my word for it? Use a good search engine like
www.google.com or mamma.com or dogpile.com and do your own research.

Until next time remember, most illness (upwards of 80% according to
experts) can be attributed to FOUR important factors that can weaken
your immune system and your ability to fight off disease:

1. Anxiety, depression, anger, guilt and other STRESS factors.
LEARN TO FORGIVE AND LET GO.

2. Improper and/or inadequate NUTRITION habits. LEARN TO AVOID
PROCESSED AND/OR REFINED FOODS.

3. A sedentary lifestyle that does not include enough EXERCISE.
FIND SOME KIND OF PHYSICALLY ENGAGING ACTIVITY IF IT IS NOTHING BUT
MORNING OR EVENING WALKS.

4. Not enough rest and quality SLEEP time. GO TO BED. "EARLY TO
BED AND EARLY TO RISE; MAKES A MAN HEALTHY, WEALTHY AND WISE".

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have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and
these statements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or
prevent any disease.