“Give me a double-antioxidant-loaded-cappuccino to go, please!”
In the roller-coaster world of research, coffee is slowly but
surely being exonerated from what appears to be a
bum-rap.
Over the years, coffee has been blamed for everything from a
myriad of health ailments to the arrival of Wal-Mart in Woodland
Park.
The villain in coffee is, of course, caffeine, which is a
component of coffee, tea and most sodas. Coffee, however, contains
considerably more of this purportedly evil potion than either tea
or pop.
Caffeine is a mild psychoactive substance that has a stimulant
effect on the nervous system and all of the body’s organs and
tissue.
Within a few minutes of consuming caffeine, the brain cells are
stimulated, helping to reduce drowsiness and fatigue. Concentration
is improved and reactions are speeded up.
The heart muscle is aroused and its pumping action is augmented.
Skeletal muscles are stimulated, which may improve their
performance.
At first glance, it sounds like the latest health drink, until
you learn that in large amounts caffeine can cause heart
palpitations, stomach upset, insomnia, anxiety, irritability,
muscle twitching and 100 meter dashes to the bathroom.
Because coffee is the third most popular beverage in the world –
behind water and tea – it has been studied extensively, generally
to see if it causes disease.
According to the scientists at Duke University Medical Center,
drinking 4 or more cups per day can contribute to heart problems,
raise blood pressure and increase stress hormones. However, there
is insufficient evidence that coffee or caffeine increases the risk
of heart disease.
Numerous studies from the American Institute for Cancer Research
conclude that coffee has no link to cancer. In fact, it may
actually help prevent colon cancer.
At one time, coffee was blamed for fibrocystic breast disease
but there proved to be no connection. It was, also, a suspected
risk factor for osteoporosis but it now appears there is no
increased risk of bone loss, even among heavy coffee
drinkers.
Early research raised the possibility of coffee being a player
in miscarriages and birth defects but, again, studies haven’t
supported this. Some researchers, however, still suggest that
pregnant women should drink no more than a cup or two a
day.
As the pendulum swings, new research is touting some of the
positive attributes of coffee consumption. The latest comes from
Scranton University in Pennsylvania.
Scranton’s scientists measured the antioxidant content of more
than 100 different food items, including vegetables, fruits, nuts,
spices, oils and beverages. They, then, examined the national data
on the contribution of each food item to the average American’s
diet.
Given Americans do not eat adequate quantities of fruits and
vegetables, coffee – both caffeinated and decaffeinated – emerged
as the single largest source of antioxidants in our diet. Black tea
came in second followed by bananas, dry beans and corn.
Antioxidants are important because they help rid the body of
free radicals, which are destructive molecules that damage cells
and DNA. In addition, antioxidants have been linked to a number of
health benefits, including protecting against heart disease and
cancer.
In other research, a study in Honolulu suggests that coffee may
reduce the risk of Parkinson disease. In yet another study, those
who drank two to three cups of coffee daily cut their risk of
gallstones by 40 percent.
The bottom line appears to be … if you’re healthy, it’s fine to
drink coffee in moderation – no more than 3 to 4 cups a day. If you
overindulge and experience the unpleasant side effects of too much
caffeine, cut back.
Cord Prettyman is a certified Master Personal Trainer and the
owner of Absolute Workout Fitness and Post-Re-hab Studio in
Woodland Park. He can be reached by e-mail at
cordprettyman@msn.com.