Wouldn't it be lovely if something you drink every day (and find hard to give up) was actually good for you? Turns out that coffee might just be that happy thing!
WHEE (Weight, Health, Eating and Exercise) is a community support diary for Kossacks who are currently or planning to start losing, gaining or maintaining their weight through diet and exercise or fitness. Any supportive comments, suggestions or positive distractions are appreciated. If you are working on your weight or fitness, please -- join us! You can also click the WHEE tag to view all diary posts.
Join me over the fold for the good news ---
Want a drug that could lower your risk of diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and colon cancer? That could lift your mood and treat headaches? That could lower your risk of cavities?
After analyzing data on 126,000 people for as long as 18 years, Harvard researchers calculate that compared with not partaking in America's favorite morning drink, downing one to three cups of caffeinated coffee daily can reduce diabetes risk by single digits. But having six cups or more each day slashed men's risk by 54% and women's by 30% over java avoiders. Though the scientists give the customary "more research is needed" before they recommend you do overtime at Starbuck's to specifically prevent diabetes, their findings are very similar to those in a less-publicized Dutch study. And perhaps more importantly, it's the latest of hundreds of studies suggesting that coffee may be something of a health food -- especially in higher amounts.
And for some more good news ---
At least six studies indicate that people who drink coffee on a regular basis are up to 80% less likely to develop Parkinson's, with three showing the more they drink, the lower the risk. Other research shows that compared to not drinking coffee, at least two cups daily can translate to a 25% reduced risk of colon cancer, an 80% drop in liver cirrhosis risk, and nearly half the risk of gallstones.
Why might coffee be so protective against type II diabetes?
"Coffee is loaded with antioxidants, including a group of compounds called quinines that when administered to lab rats, increases their insulin sensitivity" he tells WebMD. This increased sensitivity improves the body's response to insulin. That may explain why in that new Harvard study, those drinking decaf coffee but not tea beverages also showed a reduced diabetes risk, though it was half as much as those drinking caffeinated coffee. "We don't know exactly why coffee is beneficial for diabetes," lead researcher Frank Hu, MD, tells WebMD. "It is possible that both caffeine and other compounds play important roles. Coffee has large amounts of antioxidants such as chlorogenic acid and tocopherols, and minerals such as magnesium. All these components have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism."
I wonder if coffee ice cream is also protective? Seriously, there are so many positive associations emerging that no one should feel concerned about their daily coffee unless it is affecting sleep or making your heart palpitate (high doses needed for that!). I don't think the helpfulness of coffee has quite gotten to the place where people should take up coffee drinking if they aren't already, but it is nice for us java heads to know that we might actually be doing ourselves some good with the habit. Take the poll!
And, since it's Friday, ...
WHEE Diary Schedule
June 12
Sat AM - WHEE Open
Sat PM - WHEE Open
June 13
Sun AM - WHEE Open
Sun PM - WHEE Open
June 14
Mon AM - NC Dem
Mon PM - WHEE Open
June 15
Tues AM - WHEE Open
Tues PM - Debbieleft
June 16
Wed AM - WHEE Open
Wed PM - WHEE Open
June 17
Thurs - WHEE Open
Thurs - WHEE Open
June 18
Fri AM - WHEE Open
Fri PM - Wee Mama
If you would like to write a diary or host an open thread just drop a note in the tip jar. It's easy - add the boilerplate intro and schedule and share your thoughts. Beginners welcome!