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Resisting the Coffee Sensation can be Hazardous
by R.L. Fielding
http://www.coffeecow.com
Resisting the Coffee Sensation can be Hazardous to Your
Health!
By R.L. Fielding
Coffee consumption has rapidly increased in the U.S. in
the past few years. Aside from its wonderful taste and
the stimulating affect of caffeine, coffee's rising
popularity is now due in part to social factors as
evidenced by coffeehouses springing up all over the
country. Many Americans cannot get their day started
without their first cup of coffee. The familiar morning
routine that resonates in so many households across the
country begins with the ringing of the alarm clock, and
ends with that much anticipated cup of freshly brewed
coffee. Coffee used to have a bad reputation, but recent
research suggests that drinking moderate amounts of coffee
provides a wide range of health benefits.
Health Benefits of Coffee
Ever thought that drinking your daily cup of coffee could
actually improve your health? The tannins and
antioxidants that appear naturally in coffee are well
known to fight free radicals and other assaults on the
body. From containing so many protective antioxidants to
reducing the risk of asthma attacks, coffee may be the
answer.
Antioxidants are chemical compounds that protect the
body's cells from the damaging effects of oxidation. They
help support the immune system, and consequently, may
lower the risk of both cancer and heart disease. It is
believed that the caffeine in coffee helps to improve the
blood circulation within the heart and arteries. One
study shows that in a comparison among various food
groups, coffee had 64% of the total antioxidant intake.
Coffee may also lower the risk of gallstones by 45% and
cirrhosis of the liver by 80%. A recent study confirms
the existence of an inverse relationship between coffee
consumption and liver cirrhosis, although researchers have
not determined which component in the coffee is
responsible for producing the protective effect.
Another benefit of coffee is a 25% reduction in the onset
of attacks among asthma sufferers. This chronic disease
causes the airways to close up due to inflammation,
resulting in coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and
tightness in the chest. One of the compounds in coffee,
called theophylline, acts as a bronchodilator, which
lessens these dangerous symptoms. So asthma sufferers
should make sure to always pack their coffee pods to be
prepared in case of emergency.
Often find yourself with a headache lasting throughout the
day? It could be caused by stress at work, unruly
children, or not enough sleep. The caffeine in coffee has
been known to help in treating those headaches. Forget
about your typical painkillers; use the convenience of the
K-cup coffee system to brew a single cup of fresh coffee
and have relief in minutes.
Ideal Amount of Coffee
On average, doctors recommend drinking 2-4 cups of coffee
a day, which is considered to be a reasonable and moderate
amount. Of course, people are all different, and some may
choose to drink more and some may prefer to drink less,
depending on their individual lifestyles, habits, and
health issues.
An 8oz cup of coffee contains approximately 75mg of
caffeine. Since excessive amounts of caffeine in coffee
can be detrimental to your health, it is important not to
exceed the recommended 300mg of caffeine a day. Using a K-
cup coffee maker to brew one cup of coffee at a time is
one of the best ways to monitor your coffee consumption.
Do Specialty or "Gourmet" Coffees Confer the Same Health
Benefits as Regular Coffee?
The answer is yes. Most of the specialty drinks people
order at Starbucks, such as cappuccinos, lattes, etc., has
espresso as their foundation. Espresso is thought to be
even better for your health than regular coffee. The
reason may be as simple as the method of brewing.
Espresso is a concentrated form of coffee that is produced
when water is forced under high pressure over finely
ground coffee. The best of the coffee's ingredients
is "expressed" out in a quick method. Many scientists
believe this keeps the positive elements intact longer
(i.e. the powerful antioxidants) and with more integrity
to maximize the health benefits. A professor at the
University of Munster noted that in comparison to regular
coffee, espresso has 2-3 times the amount of cancer-
fighting agents.
Espresso is notoriously difficult to brew, and many people
never master the art of creating the perfect espresso
shot. As a result, coffee pod machines, with their
ability to deliver a high quality cup of coffee
consistently, have expanded into the espresso market. Now
coffee lovers can enjoy a great cup of espresso, with all
its health benefits, with just a push of a button!
If you would like to read the complete article, please
visit http://www.coffeecow.com/content/Article2.asp.
This article is provided by CoffeeCow.
http://www.coffeecow.com
R.L. Fielding Bio
R.L. Fielding has been a freelance writer for 10 years,
offering her expertise and skills to a variety of major
organizations in the education, pharmaceuticals and
healthcare, financial services, and manufacturing
industries. She lives in New Jersey with her dog and two
cats and enjoys rock climbing and ornamental gardening.
This article is copyrighted by CoffeeCow. It may not be
reproduced in whole or in part and may not be posted on
other websites, without the express written permission of
the author, who may be contacted via email at
coffeecow@digitalbrandexpressions.com.
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