Posted on: July 13, 2007
The Bean Means Well
If you feel guilty about your java habit, relax. Give yourself a break, a coffee break
By Bev Bennett
CTW Features
After years as the bad guy of the food world, coffee is getting another look. And for those who can’t do without it, the news is positive. “This might be the one addiction we can take relief in,” says Roger Clemens DrPH, a spokesman for the Institute of Food Technologists.
Studies from both Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Mass., and the American Medical Association, Chicago, suggest coffee may be beneficial in reducing the risk of several serious conditions, including type 2 diabetes, liver disease, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, coffee may even reduce the chance of having a hip fracture, according to Clemens.
Scientists have been studying the health potential of a wide range of foods and beverages. Coffee is one of the newest on the list.
“When researchers started looking at tea and cocoa and found phytochemicals [plant chemicals] that have health aspects, they then started looking at coffee and health,” he says. “Is it the number one enemy as it was in the ‘70s, or does it have health benefits?”
The latest research from the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., suggests that coffee beans themselves contain disease-fighting compounds and are high in antioxidants. In order to reap the benefits of coffee, [So&So] recommends drinking three to five cups a day. Caffeine, however, isn’t essential. Decaffeinated coffee has the same protective effects, says Clemens. Parkinson’s disease may be the exception. Studies show reduced risk among men and women who drank moderate amounts of coffee with caffeine daily.
The roast of coffee, however, does make a difference. “The darker roast may not be as beneficial,” he says. “It may not have as many [phytochemical] compounds as the lighter roasts.”
While coffee may not be detrimental to your health, it can affect how the body absorbs nutrients, Clemens says, as it contains compounds that may impair iron absorption in the body.
“It may affect pregnancy and may not be appropriate for lactating mothers, older adults or certain age groups. Moderation and a variety of foods is important,” he says.
This cold, refreshing drink is a delicious alternative to a hot cup of coffee.
