Coffee consumption and your health. This sought after bean has some suprising health benefits.
A growing anatomy of research which shows that coffee drinkers, compared to nondrinkers, are:
1. less likely to have type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and dementia
2. have fewer cases of certain cancers, heart rhythm problems, and strokes
Researchers don't ask people to drink or skip coffee for science's sake. Instead, they ask them about their coffee habits. Those studies can't show cause and effect. It's possible that coffee drinkers have other advantages, such as better diets, more exercise, or protective genes.
There isn't solid proof. But there are signs of potential health perks.
If you're like the average American, who downed 416 8-ounce cups of coffee in 2009 (by the World Resources Institute's estimates), you might want to know what all that java is doing for you, or to you.
Here is the condition-by-condition look at the research.
Type 2 Diabetes
Dr. Hu of Harvard University calls the data on coffee and [type 2] diabetes "pretty solid," based on more than 15 published studies.
Dr. Frank Hu of Harvard University Medical School found that, among study participants, those who drank several cups of coffee per day were, on average, 35% less likely to have type 2 diabetes than those who reported drinking two cups of coffee or less every day. This is due to a combination of magnesium and chromium, two compounds found in coffee that help the body use insulin more effectively.
More recently, Australian researchers looked at 18 studies of nearly 458,000 people. They found a 7% drop in the odds of having type 2 diabetes for every additional cup of coffee drunk daily. There were similar risk reductions for decaf coffee drinkers and tea drinkers.
How is coffee a potential diabetes preventative?
Dr. Hu states that "it's a complete package". He indicates coffees antioxidants and nutrients help prevent tissue damage caused by molecules called oxygen-free radicals. “We know that coffee has a very strong antioxidant capacity," States Dr. Hu.
Coffee also contains minerals such as magnesium and chromium, which help the body use the hormone insulin, which controls blood sugar (glucose). In type 2 diabetes, the body loses its ability to use insulin and regulate blood sugar effectively.
Studies also show that it's probably not the caffeine, based on the studies of decaf coffee.
Graphic Design by: Janis Amoura