Coffee: The New Health Food?

According to The Web MD, two recent studies (one eighteen years long, the other twenty years long, so “recent” relates to their findings, not to the timing of the study), Coffee consumed in large quantities reduces many health risks, and is positive for other factors. Included on the list are:

• Parkinson’s Disease: Consumption of six or more cups of coffee per day reduces risk of this disease an amazing 54%. Due to the evidence from this study, new Parkinson’s drugs are including a caffeine derivative to combat progression of the disease.
• Asthma. It’s the caffeine in coffee that dramatically reduces risk of asthma attacks.
• Headaches. An average Excedrin Migraine or Anacin dose contains 120mg of caffeine — about the same as a cup and a half of coffee.
• Endurance. The caffeine in coffee seems to improve endurance in pro athletes. But be warned, “If you a recreational athlete who is working out to reduce weight or just feel better, you’re not pushing yourself hard enough to get an athletic benefit from coffee or other caffeinated products” according to Terry Graham, PhD.
• Diabetes. Coffee promote insulin sensitivity (the opposite of insulin resistance) in cells. For borderline cases of Type II diabetes, this can prevent the onset of the disease — even if you drink decaf.
• Depression. Coffee in moderate doses, with milk, alleviates depression in many adolescents.
• Cavities. Yep, the weirdest outcome of the study, in my opinion, is that the risk of dental caries is much lower for coffee drinkers than for the control group. There is a group of chemicals, responsible for the bitter taste, which scientists are investigating due to its known antibacterial effect as possibly being responsible for this side effect.

But be warned: according to the article, “Coffee may also raise cholesterol levels in some people and may contribute to artery clogging.”

My mantra lately has been:

Your body… your science project.