Is Coffee Good or Bad for me?

Answer
from Donald Hensrud, M.D. of Mayo Clinic

Coffee has a long history of being blamed for many ills — from the humorous "It will stunt your growth" to the not-so-humorous claim that it causes heart disease and cancer. But recent research indicates that coffee may not be so bad after all. So which is it — good or bad? The best answer may be that for most people the health benefits outweigh the risks.

Recent studies have generally found no connection between coffee and an increased risk of cancer or heart disease. Why the apparent reversal in the thinking about coffee? Earlier studies didn't always take into account that known high-risk behaviors, such as smoking and physical inactivity, tended to be more common among heavy coffee drinkers at that time.

However, the research appears to bear out some risks. High consumption of unfiltered coffee is associated with mild elevations in cholesterol levels. And another study found that two or more cups of coffee a day can increase the risk of heart disease in people with a specific — and fairly common — genetic mutation that slows the breakdown of caffeine in the body. So, how quickly you metabolize coffee may affect your health risk.

Newer studies have also shown that coffee may have benefits, such as protecting against Parkinson's disease, type 2 diabetes and liver cancer. And it has a high content of antioxidants. But this doesn't mean you should disregard the old maxim "Everything in moderation." Although coffee may not be very harmful, other beverages such as milk and juice contain nutrients that coffee does not. Also, keep in mind that coffee accompaniments such as cream and sugar add fat and calories to your diet. Finally, heavy caffeine use — on the order of four to seven cups of coffee a day — can cause problems such as restlessness, anxiety, irritability and sleeplessness, particularly in susceptible individuals.

Caffeine in Instant Coffee

With instant coffee, caffeine measurements are based on the amount of the instant coffee powder used to make the drink. The caffeine content of coffee itself varies enormously.

According to the USDA*, 1 rounded teaspoon of instant coffee (1.8 grams in weight) contains 57 mg of caffeine. No matter how much water, milk, or creamer you add to the coffee - the amount of caffeine will remain the same.

The strength and flavor is greatly influenced by the amount of water mixed with the coffee powder.

Instant coffee is made by roasting and grind the coffee bean, and then extracting the flavor. This is done by placing the coffee in a solution of water and then dehydrating the solution (spray drying).

Sources:

[1] 2006 USDA Nutrition Database SR19 (link)

Coffee can Lead Long Life.

Not only does coffee jump start our day, it can also help extend our lives.

After extensive studies done on coffee and health, it was shown that people who drink coffee, whether decaf or regular, may live longer than those who don’t. So, let 2013 be the beginning of healthier lifestyle with Africafe Coffee.

Scientist at the National Institutes of Health AARP Diet and Health studies over 400,000 men and women in 6 different states and found a connection between living longer and drinking coffee. They followed the the subjects for 13 years and nine out of ten participants drank coffee.

They compared those who didn’t drink coffee with those who drank three or more cups a day and found those who drank coffee had a lower risk of death from an array of leading diseases and illnesses. Some of those included heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, infections, diabetes, accidents and injuries.

The results showed men who drank on average 3 cups of coffee a day where 10% likely to live longer than those who didn’t drink coffee, while it was 13% for women. Just drinking a single cup of coffee a day seem to lead to a longer life by 5% for women and 6% for men. The most impressive results were for women who drank on average 5 cups a day lowered their risk by 16%.

The findings are reassuring to those who can’t live without one of the most popular beverages in America

“There’s been a concern for a long time that coffee drinking might increase the risk of death,” said Neal Freedman, PhD, of the the Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics at the National Cancer Institute. “Our study suggests that’s not the case.” Freeman concludes, “Coffee is a complicated beverage,” it contains over 1,000 compounds including helpful antioxidants. The research shows a clear pattern that coffee increased the chances of a longer life.

Organic Africafe coffee is grown without harmful pesticides and chemicals. It is naturally grown in rich volcanic soil of Africa, for this reason it is full of nutrients, vitamins, antioxidants.  With all these health benefits there is no reason not to enjoy a delicious cup of Africafe coffee.

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