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Caffeinated
beverages, and coffee in particular, have got a bum rap. Some people say
coffee is harmful and many try to cut the drink out of their diet
altogether. But don't put away your Mr. Coffee yet... recent studies
suggest that regular consumption of caffeine can actually improve health.
Good news for Starbucks... and for you, since you can now have your
morning cuppa joe without feeling guilty!
According to
researchers at Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women's
Hospital, studies indicate that those who drank coffee on an ongoing basis
within a test environment were found to have a considerably reduced risk of
developing Type 2 Diabetes than those who did not consume the beverage. In
fact, male participants appeared to have received the greatest benefit.
Those who drank more than six cups per day were shown to reduce their risks
by more than fifty percent. Conversely, women who drank the same number of
cups were only shown to reduce their risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes by
less than thirty percent, still impressive, though not as significant as the
benefit to men.
One possible
explanation for this newest discovery is that the agents which are present
in coffee, specifically, antioxidants, appear to enhance the body's
sensitivity to insulin, which is necessary for controlling glucose levels in
the blood. This would contribute toward staving off the circumstances that
often serve as a catalyst for the onset of Type 2 Diabetes.
Doctors
believe that environmental factors, such as diet, and family history are
largely to blame for the onset of this disease, which generally strikes
obese men and women over the age of 40. Once diagnosed, patients must either
take oral medication or insulin injections to control glucose levels in the
body. If coffee does indeed impact the development of diabetes, the
implications for modern medicine are striking.
While no
specifics have been given regarding the style of coffee. specifically, black
coffee or that which has cream and sugar added. it has been stated that,
though the short-term effect of caffeine has been identified as temporarily
escalated glucose levels, the long-term effects of drinking caffeinated
coffee are not only more significant, but also ongoing.
Though researchers don't encourage folks to take up the habit of excessive
coffee drinking, those who do enjoy a hot cup of "Joe" can relax without the
worry of the negative impact of their favorite beverage on their bodies. |
| Written by Stacy Juchina, the creator of AZ Coffee one of the leading information resources on the subject of coffee available on line. For more information, and immediate access to his articles library, visit http://www.azcoffee.com |
