|
How Coffee Affects the Body
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:
How to make a good coffee?
|
Home Coffee Roasters
Coffee Grinders
Grinding one's own coffee beans is quickly becoming a part of the American version of the coffee drinking experience. The choices for coffee grinders available for purchase is mind-boggling, so you really do need to know a few things about coffee grinders before you purchase one of your very own.
The earliest version of coffee grinding was done with a bowl and a pestle. The beans were roasted first, then they were placed in a bowl and crushed or ground with a pestle. Then things got mechanized, and changed quickly when coffee grinders that were hand-cranked came into being. If you have ever watched old western movies, there is always a hand-cranked coffee grinder in the local general store.
Then along came electricity, and things just got easier. The first electrified coffee grinders actually operated on the same principle as the hand-cranked version. There were basically two flat plates (one stationary and the other moving) that the coffee beans were crushed between. Things have gotten better since then although the principle remains basically unchanged -- only improved upon.
Today, you can buy coffee grinders with blades that simply chop the beans into fine particles. However, these particles are not of identical size. These blade-type coffee grinders can be bought for as little as $20, but they are not the best choice.
The best choice for a coffee grinder is a "burr" grinder. The burr coffee grinders operate on the same basic principle as the old hand-cranked coffee grinders in that there are two plates. However, these plates have burrs on them, and the coffee particles of beans that have been ground in a burr grinder are all of identical size. Burr grinders are, of course, more expensive, but they are much better coffee grinders. |
|
More articles:
Green Party Coffee - Custom Designed Coffee for the American People
ikea hacker: start your day with coffee in bed
Mr. Common Sense
Wake Up And Smell The Coffee - BizRate.com
Italian Coffee
French Press Coffee Maker
Is Coffee Good or Bad for You?
The question of whether coffee is good for humans or bad for humans all depends upon which of the many reports, research papers, and studies that you choose to believe. There has been a great deal of research, but certainly no consensus of agreement on the subject.
Some studies, reports, and research suggest that because coffee is a stimulant, and because it has been proven to be somewhat addictive, it is a bad thing. Coffee does increase the heart rate, but there has never been any proof of any kind that coffee contributes to heart disease or causes heart attacks. Coffee does stimulate the kidneys, but there has never been any proof that it contributes to kidney disease.
Other studies, reports, and research suggest that because coffee is a stimulant, it is a very good thing. Coffee is known to "relieve boredom, decrease depression, increase alertness, increase physical stamina, and increase performance on boring or repetitive tasks." Well, those things sound like rather positive aspects.
It is generally agreed that coffee -- or rather, the caffeine in coffee -- is somewhat addictive. Going "cold turkey" when giving up caffeine can cause some withdrawal symptoms, such as headache. Headache is the most common caffeine withdrawal symptom, but another symptom is grouchiness, which is not conducive to healthy personal relationships.
The bottom line here is that there just isn't any scientific information that firmly establishes whether coffee is good for you or bad for you. "Moderation in all things" is a good motto to live by. Drinking 25 cups of anything wouldn't likely be conducive to good health unless it was just pure water. Drink your coffee and enjoy every sip -- just don't drink too much of it.
Related Topics: Coffee and Health,
Coffee with a Twist, River Coffee
|
