|
An Old-Fashioned Coffee Klatch
Coffee and Alzheimers
Here is some really, really good news for all of us coffee drinkers! There is very real and reliable scientific information that suggests that coffee drinkers are less likely (far less likely) to suffer from Alzheimer's disease or dementia than non coffee drinkers.
So, the next time somebody tells you that coffee is going to give you ulcers (or some other nonsense), just tell them that you are drinking coffee for the medicinal purpose of preventing Alzheimer's disease, and that you can prove it.
The first known study of determining whether coffee drinking could prevent Alzheimer's disease was conducted in Portugal in 2002. The researchers set out to discover whether the caffeine in coffee could prevent or delay the degeneration of the brain that occurs before Alzheimer's is diagnosed. They chose 54 patients who already had Alzheimer's disease for the study. The researchers discovered that the caffeine in coffee was a significant factor in reducing the onset of the disease as well as the progression of the disease.
Another study in Berlin failed to find that the caffeine in coffee prevented Alzheimer's, but it did establish that possibility of a link between caffeine consumption and overall neurological health.
The largest study about the relationship between drinking coffee and preventing Alzheimer's was done in Canada. The Canadian Study of Health and Aging studied more than 6,000 people over the age of 65. It was found that consuming coffee was a significant factor in reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Granted, none of the studies to date firmly establish that coffee drinking can prevent Alzheimer's disease altogether, but there is enough positive information to warrant more studies be conducted in the future, and also to hand some valuable ammunition to coffee drinkers around the world.
See Also:
Top 10 Caffeine Related Health Problems
|
Types of Coffee Makers
Decaf Coffee
Caffeine is a natural substance that is found in coffee. Caffeine is also found in tea, soft drinks, and chocolate. Caffeine is what helps to wake us up in the morning as we sip that first cup of coffee. It is what gives us that little added boost in the afternoon when our energy is flagging.
There is research that "proves" that caffeine is bad for us and good for us. It has been determined that caffeine is a stimulant, and some researchers see that as a good thing; while others see it as a bad thing. It is true that caffeine is somewhat addictive and there are those who are deeply opposed to anything and everything that might possibly be addictive in any way.
My point is that the caffeine might be called the "active ingredient" in coffee. So, of course, it can be removed. When the caffeine is removed from coffee, though, most of the taste goes with it. Coffee that has had its caffeine removed is called "decaffeinated," or "decaf."
There are at present two basic ways in which caffeine is removed from coffee. The two processes for decaffeination are known as (1) European Process; and (2) Swiss Water Process.
The European Process uses methylene chloride to wash the coffee beans. The chemicals absorb the caffeine. The beans are then washed to remove the chemical, roasted, and ground. The European Process actually leaves more flavor in the coffee beans, but there are those (surprise) who object to the use of chemicals.
The Swiss Water Process for removing caffeine from coffee beans is a multi-step process that only uses water and steam. The Swiss Water Process, however, removes more than just the caffeine from coffee beans. Many of the oils are also lost in the process, and the coffee made from beans that have been decaffeinated using the Swiss Water Process is pretty much tasteless. |
|
More articles:
Low Acid Coffee
Decaf Coffee
Espresso Machines - Which one is right for you?
The Origin of Coffee
Decaf Coffee
What to Look for in a Coffee Maker
How Coffee Affects the Body
It all depends on what "study" you choose to believe whether coffee (caffeine) is a good thing for the body or pure poison. Personally, I've decided to believe those "studies" that say coffee is a good thing…a VERY good thing.
I like coffee…no, that isn't exactly accurate….I LOVE my coffee!
The fact is that there is caffeine in a lot of things other than coffee. There is caffeine in tea, and there is caffeine in many sodas as well as in chocolate….and I am sure not going to give up chocolate! So just giving up coffee won't mean that you have given up caffeine. Caffeine is actually the only active ingredient in coffee. There are no calories and no carbohydrates in a cup of black coffee.
Caffeine is a stimulant. There isn't much doubt about that one. If you have a cup of coffee right before bed, you will certainly have difficulty falling asleep -- at least that is true for most people. A cup of coffee first thing in the morning certainly wakes you up and gets you going! That afternoon cup of coffee picks you up.
Coffee is said to be addictive, and maybe that is true. People who suddenly stop their usual daily intake of caffeine in whatever form will suffer from withdrawal symptoms. Headache is the most common symptom of caffeine withdrawal, but caffeine withdrawal can also put a big dent in your sweet disposition. People who are withdrawing from caffeine are just plain grouchy.
The caffeine in coffee has both positive and negative effects on the human body. The positive effects are that it relieves boredom, decreases depression, increases alertness, increases physical stamina, and increases performance on boring or repetitive tasks. The negative effects of caffeine on the human body are that it increases nervousness, affects sleep, and increases jaw tension.
Related Topics: Types of Coffee Makers,
Coffee Cups, Buying Bulk Coffee
|
