Nothing can beat the delectable aroma of a steaming cup of coffee that tingles the olfactory senses and leaves people craving for more. The only thing that makes them refrain from consuming more is the fear that too much caffeine may not be good for health.
Earlier, it was felt that coffee was only good as a mood enhancer and as an instant pep-up, but might increase the risk of major diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease and perhaps even cause cancer.
There is good news for all the coffee lovers. You do not have to stop with that one cup anymore.
Latest research reveals that a few cups of coffee, apart from not creating health problems, may prove to be helpful for the body.
Is coffee the next health food? Possibly!
A recent study revealed that 2 to 3 cups of caffeinated drinks, including coffee, can cut the risk of dying from heart disease by at least 31%. Another study showed that coffee can lower the risk of colon cancer.
About 11000 men and women in the age group, 40–59 were tested for many years and some drank 21 cups of coffee per day, others drank 36 cups of tea and smokers drank more coffee, while some did not drink coffee. The results revealed that coffee drinkers had lower incidence of heart attacks and bypass surgeries.
Researchers say that coffee may also help lower the risk of Type-2 diabetes, gallstones, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
It might seem surprising that the recent studies are so totally in contrast to the studies done earlier. The explanation researchers give to this is that, previously all the studies were focused only on the caffeine content in coffee and today’s more advanced research looks beyond caffeine, at the other substances in coffee, such as antioxidants that protect the cells in the body against damage.
According to researchers, coffee may also offset the damage caused by other vices, such as heavy smoking and drinking. Studies have shown that people who consume coffee, have less incidence of liver problems and heart disease.
This discovery that coffee is good for health certainly does not mean that the old maxim, “Everything in moderation,” is thrown out of the window and people start doing overtime at Starbucks. Coffee may not be harmful when two or three cups are taken, but having more number of cups has been seen to cause sleeplessness, irritability, anxiety and headaches in some people, although it may not actually be dangerous.
In the last few years, many studies have been done on coffee and the results of all these studies are as pleasing to the ears as freshly brewed blend is for the taste buds.
Whatever the results of research, it is up to the person to refrain from going overboard, as it could produce unwanted effects. Even good things, such as vitamin supplements can harm the body when taken in higher quantities. Moderation is the key to good health.