All About Coffee

COFFEE
Benefits

Stimultes the central nervous system.
Can help you stay awake and alert.

Drawbacks
May contribute to difficulty falling asleep ad disturbed and reduced sleep.

Drinking large amounts can cause irritability and jittery nerves.
Increase excretion of calcium.

Our major source of caffeine, coffee is the substance millions of North Americans use to stay alert. In addition to caffein coffee contains nearly 400 other chemicals,including trace amounts of vitamins and minerals, tannins, and caramelized sugar.

Coffee is not entirely calorie-free; while 6 oz.(180 ml.) cup of sugar free black coffee has only 4 calories some speciality coffee drinks have more fat and calories than a rich dessert. A cup of whole milk mocha topped with whipped cream is on a par with hot fudge sundae.

A dedicated coffee drinking might consider reducing caffeine from other sources- for example giving up caffeinated soft drinks from the diet.

Possible Hazard

Coffee is best consumed in moderation. The following are possible
hazards linked to coffee:

Infertility. A number of studies have found that consuming more than 300 mg caffeine a day is associated with a delay in conception.
Heart problems. Caffeine prompts a temporary rise in blood pressure; it can also provoke cardiac arrhythmias in susceptible persons.

Bone Loss. Coffee increases calcium excretion in the urine. To compensate for this loss, heavy coffee drinkers should consume extra calcium-rich foods.

Caffeine withdrawal. Heavy coffee drinkers who stop imbibing coffee symptoms for a few days. Cut back gradually.

Cholesterol problems. Cafestol and kahweol, compounds in coffee, can boost cholesterol synthesis by the liver, these are found in highest concentrations in Scandinavians and Turkish coffees, as well as French-pressed brews.

Caffeine is a diuretic, meaning it increases the output of urine. This is concern for men with prostate problems.

DECAFFEINATED COFFEE

Many people drink decaffeinated coffee to escape the insomia and jittery nerves caused by caffeine. But even decaffeinated coffee has up to 5 mg of caffeine in 5 oz(150 ml)cup. People with sleep problems are better off avoiding coffee.

Did you know?
Coffee improves memory and mental function. Regular coffee consumption could help older people. A study on ageing revealed that coffee helped older people think more quickly , Improve their memory, with a history of coffee consumption had better performance results of test on mental function. Lifetime coffee consumption has been linked to a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

credits to Readers Digest Food That Heal Food That Harm

This entry was posted on Monday, June 14th, 2010 at 11:46 am and is filed under HEALTH FACTS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.