Kyota Health

Archive for the ‘Coffee Health Effects’ Category

Caffeine, like chocolate, often receives bad publicity. Whilst in some instances, and in excess, these can have negative effects on our body, they can also be quite beneficial.

I am not disputing that some people are more sensitive to the negative effects of either caffeine or chocolate. For example, excess caffeine can create anxiety, nausea (particularly of taken on an empty stomach), an increase in heart rate, and even depression in some people. And chocolate is certainly not something that should form the mainstay of one’s diet. If struggling with sugar addiction, or wanting to lose weight, there are more nutritionally complete foods that are available.

But scientists have turned up some interesting facts on caffeine. For example, caffeine actually blocks the effects of a neurotransmitter in the brain (adenosine) that otherwise makes us feel tired. This is why it works so well to keep us awake. It also encourages the release of another brain chemical, dopamine (as well as adrenaline). Dopamine contributes to a feeling of well being.

Two studies, one a population based study (which are not as specific or rigorously defined as other types of studies, but nonetheless valuable indicators) found that drinking caffeine containing drinks like coffee and tea had a protective effect for those at risk of developing liver disease. Issues that the study participants had that increased their risk of liver disease included alcoholism, hepatitis B or C, obesity, or other complications.

And the results indicated that people who drank more than 2 cups of coffee a day had a 44% lower chance of showing actual liver damage compared to those who drank no caffeine. This was not a clinical trial, and the reason why coffee and tea had such an effect is not known. Coffee and tea contain a range of plant chemicals (phytonutrients) that could be responsible for this. A 2005 Norwegian study also found similar benefits for coffee with regards liver disease. This study found that drinking 3 cups of coffee a day could lower the risk of death from liver cirrhosis.

Even if you’re not at risk of liver disease, caffeine still has some advantages. Recent research from Austria showed that caffeine may actually enhance short term memory. Researchers found that there was an increase in brain activity (as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging) in the parts of the brain that were associated with memory and attention. These parts of the brain were the frontal lobe and the anterior cingulum. This was a placebo controlled study, meaning that some people were not given any caffeine. Another, earlier study (2004) found that caffeine did support short term memory, but only when it was in relation to a topic that people were already thinking about. This study found that when testing coffee’s effects on unrelated subjects, short term recall was actually inhibited.

Everything does have a flip side though. Adenosine, which is blocked by coffee, is also calming. This could be why it can also cause anxiety in excess, and in some individuals. After all, the balance of our brain chemistry is unique. And when we are addicted to stimulants like caffeine, we lose the sensitivity to our own natural stimulants (dopamine and adrenaline).

References:

Australian Healthy Food, February 2006.

[http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/ng.asp?n=52281-caffeine-containing-drinks]

[http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=64274&m=1FSND06&idP=2&c=qgtqmovbyiaxdub]

There are different opinions about the effects of coffee on the health. Some people say it is hazardous for health while others consider it beneficial. Some of the ways in which coffee intake effects our healths are discussed below.

1) Regular coffee drinkers feel more alert and perform better daily. According to some researches four to five cups of coffee keep the person alert and fresh as compared to the people who do not take coffee in the morning. It is believed by many researchers that it is important for giving you a good Morning-Kick.

2) It has been proved by researchers that caffeine is important in preventing cognitive decline in women. During a research it was found that women who were in habit of taking three cups daily performed better than the women who were taking one cup per day. It not only slows down the dementia process but also it good in preventing us from depression and Parkinson’s disease because of its ability to inhibit adenosine receptors.

3) Caffeine also protects us from blepharospasm, a disease in which the eye starts blinking and one can’t control its movement. It was found that this problem was cured with caffeine intake on daily basis.

4) Caffeine has laxative and diuretic effects. It speeds up the urination process but also is not good for the calcium in the body. Long term intake of caffeine results in osteoporosis.

5) It effects on sleep so it should not be taken before sleep.

6) It fights against uric acid and arthritis as well. Gout symptoms are effectively controlled by caffeine intake. Post -gym muscle pain is also controlled by caffeine intake. It is advised that one should take a cup an hour before going to the gym to reduce the post-gym pain. The pain one experiences during cycling is also controlled by its intake.

7) It makes men and women sexually excited.

Diabetic patients must be very cautious while taking different types of beverages, whether it is alcoholic or non-alcoholic. The beverages have a toxic effect in the diabetics, which makes the condition worse. A brief synopsis about the effects of different beverages is given below:

Effects of Tea and Coffee on Diabetic Patients

It has been observed that drinking coffee leads to the rising of blood sugar levels. Coffee enhances the activity of two hormones adrenaline and glucagons, which releases the sugar stored in the liver into the blood, thereby resulting in a rise of the blood sugar. Moreover, there are many side effects of the caffeine, the principal chemical ingredient of tea and coffee. Caffeine affects adversely on the nervous system of the body, especially in the diabetics. Caffeine stimulates the nervous system causing sleep disturbances and rise in the blood pressure. Many people suffer from loss of sleep due to frequent intake of tea and coffee throughout the day. Other side effects of caffeine are headaches, poor concentration, nervousness and irritability. Many depend on a cup of coffee or tea as a relaxing drink. Excess caffeine intake may hamper the development of the fetus, especially those who are suffering from gestational diabetes.

Drinking too much coffee increases the level of the stress hormones. This in turn increases the heart beat and blood pressure. This habit coupled with the sedentary life style results in an increased stress and abnormal body weight, due to defective metabolism.

But the diabetics may opt for green tea or a cup of hot lemon water. Both can provide a relaxing effect on the tired nerves. Green tea is rich in poly phenols, which helps in reducing the risk of heart diseases in the diabetics. Green tea helps in keeping the body weight in control and prevents cataract formation, which is a common outcome for the diabetics.

Effects of Alcohol on Diabetics

Reaction of alcohol with the blood produces toxins, and this effect is more pronounced in the case of Diabetics. Drinking few ounces of alcohol raises the level of triglycerides in the blood to alarming levels. Alcohol is high in calories and does not provide any nutrition. It mixes with the blood instantly resulting in higher blood sugar levels. It affects the nervous system, invites eye diseases and increases the body weight. Those who are on medication, drinking alcohol may create some abnormal reactions in the body resulting in nausea, vomiting and other serious complications.

Alcohol consumption is not recommended for healthy persons and for the diabetics, drinking alcohol should be strictly prohibited.