Coffee May Lower Risk of Developing Alzheimers
New studies show that caffeine may reduce inflammation in the brain, preventing memory loss.
Dr. Jennifer Ashton, who appeared on the Early Show discussed the findings from studies recently preformed on mice over a period of two months. “Researchers gave the equivalent of 500 milligrams of caffeine per day to little lab mice, who have been induced to have the same kind of memory changes we see in Alzheimer’s disease, and they found a very positive effect on their memory and thinking actions over a two-month period. So put another one in the column of a good effect of caffeine,” she explained.
So how much would a person have to consume to expect the same results? About 5 medium cups of caffeinated coffee a day. “It looks like a lot, but it’s important to realize that now, when we go to a deli or a Starbucks, this could actually be just the equivalent of 2 1/2 large or Grande cups of coffee a day. While it’s a little bit more than most people have in the morning, it’s actually not such an excessive amount,” Ashton said.
So, how does it work? “Their thinking is that actually the caffeine worked by decreasing the inflammation in the brain, cuts down on the buildup of protein we see in the brain of people with Alzheimer’s disease.”
“People are affected by Alzheimer’s. While it’s important to remember that caffeine is a drug, this is something that’s readily accessible in our environment practically. It’s in people’s day-to-day, and something that can have an effect like this is very important and very encouraging.”
Ashton notes that some caution is advised. Caffeine is a drug, and can be associated with increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, jitteriness, palpitations and dehydration.
“For people who have irregular heart beats, hypertension, women who are pregnant or those who are sensitive to the effects of caffeine, coffee, tea or soda should be consumed in moderation.”
You can read about this study in the July 5th issue of Journal of Alzheimers Disease
Does Coffee Dehydrate You?
People who live in higher elevations, such as in Boulder, CO., often worry about dehydration. They feel that due to the dry climate and huge amount of outdoor activities, they must drink water from the time they get up until they lay their head on the pillow at night to stay hydrated. It also makes many wonder if coffee is a dehydrating drink. Some health professionals tell their clients to drink two glasses of water for every cup of coffee they drink in order to avoid dehydration. However, recent research is countering this assumption.
Vanderbilt University Institute for Coffee Studies and Positively Coffee have been doing research on the dehydrating effects of coffee. Their studies show that moderate caffeine consumption does not dehydrate people, but it is considered an acceptable contributor to a humans daily fluid intake requirement. A 2007 study looked at fluid balance, hydration and exercise in the heat. They concluded that if you have no more than 400mg of caffeine, there is no dehydration effect with either exercise or at rest. A 1.5 ounce sot of espresso contains approximately 77 mg of caffeine so a single or even a double latte in the morning will not hurt you. Many people even say that consuming coffee before they exercise makes them more productive during their activity.
For more information check out www.vanderbilt.edu/ics/ICS_Home.shtml
Starbucks Sticks v. Nescafe Sticks
Starbucks came out with the Starbucks VIA Ready Brew Stick packets and then, as always, some one else comes along to create competition. Who is that competition? Nescafe Taster’s Choice, who vow that their instant sticks are more flavorful than Starbucks, but perhaps most importantly in this economy, they claim to be four times cheaper. You read that right 4 times cheaper that Starbucks Sticks!
The Chicago Tribune found that, on average, one packet of Nescafe costs 19cents per packet as opposed to Starbucks which costs approximately 83 cents per packet. The price is obviously much better, but what about the taste? The Tribune also conducted a blind taste test with six testers to find out if the money you are saving is equal to the flavor you may or may not be loosing by getting the cheaper product.
The test included not only the the Colombian of both brands of sticks, but also a brewed Colombian. No surprise, the brewed coffee won hands down, but that is not what we are concerned with. Back to the sticks!
Starbucks Sticks came in a close second followed by Nescafe. One person thought that Starbucks were too bitter and sharp. Most tasters described Nescafe as being thin, weak or like cardboard.
When mixed with cold water for iced coffee, Starbucks dissolved easily. Nescafe also mixed well, but do to the larger granules required more stirring. So now its time for you to decide, is the flavor worth the cost??? That is the million dollar question.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/food/chi-tc-food-tastings-0605-0610jun10,0,129961.htmlstory
From Coffee House to the Big House
A man in Flagler Co., Florida was shocked when he was arrested during a “harmless” coffee date with his mother on Sunday. Its seems that mama’s baby boy tired to rob the local Starbucks while he was having coffee with her. This is what I call “multi-tasking”.
Craig Warner, 34, tried to yank the cash register away from the counter at Starbucks. When his plan failed, he ran across the street to Walgreens hoping to find “greener” pastures. While inside Walgreens, he injured a lady while trying to steal her purse from her. He has been charged with Robbery and Strong Arm Robbery by Sudden Snatching.
Warner’s mother told police he was on his way to the Doctor for a checkup and that they decided to get coffee on the way. Its unclear as to what the “checkup” was regarding.
Espresso Facts/Tips and Honey Bean Coffee Review by Coffee Nate
Learn about espresso and hear the taste by taste coffee review by Coffee Nate about Honey Bean Coffee. Check out the coffee review at:
http://www.coffeenate.com/espresso-tips/
Drinking Coffee in Space
Astronauts cannot go without their cup of Joe.
Coffee Kiosk Robberies
Mountain Mudd has increased security after suffering a string of robberies at their coffee kiosks in Billings, Montanna . Four robberies have occurred between April 25th and May 11th. The robberies have all occurred the same way; the kiosk baristas are approach, a demand for money is made and then the perpetrator flees on foot. In an effort to put a stop to these robberies Mountain Mudd has hired security personnel and set up surveillance cameras.
http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2009/05/24/news/local/27-kiosk.txt
Caffeine Free Coffee Plant
Would you like decaf? How about an uncaffinated coffee plant? A new caffeine free coffee plant from Camaroon, has been named one of 10 top new species for 2008.
To read more about the top new species please visit the link below.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090522122314.htm
Recall on Bunn Single Cup Coffee Maker
The Chicago Tribune has reported that Bunn-O-Matic,d Corp. has recalled 35,600 of their Single-Cup Pod Brewers because there is a potential burn hazard associated with them. Although the recall was voluntary, it was done after the US Consumer Products Safety Commission disclosed that they had received 10 reports of the coffee brewer coming open during the brewing process,resulting in one customer suffering minor burns.
If you think you may be affected by this recall, please contact Bunn at 1 (800) 741-3405 or visit their website at www.bunn.com
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-biz-bunn-coffee-pod-recall-may21,0,3203525.story
Coffee Can’t Hurt, Might Help
There is always ongoing research as to how coffee effects the body. Coffee used to get a bad wrap, but not anymore. Studies show that it couldprotect against diabetes, heart disease and stroke, liver cancer, cirrhosis and Parkinson’s disease. Coffee is also helpful for athletes to help them achieve the optimum in performance.
Why did earlier studies not show this? Perhaps it is because many coffee drinkers also smoke which skewed the previous tests on coffee. It is important to account for all factors when doing medical research so that you can truly evaluate the specific thing that you are testing, in this case, coffee.
For more information and to read the full story, check out the following link.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/health/la-he-coffee18-2009may18,0,2647860.column?track=rss
This article was written by Judy Forman. You can check out her site at www.myhealthsense.com
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