in the Hands of the Potter: April 2006

Thursday, April 27, 2006

that java jive

With my mug of Starbucks freshly brewed coffee by my side, I settle in for the research topic of the evening:
the health benefits of the steaming drink beside me.

For years I have been battling giving in and joining the ranks of those addicted to coffee. I would purposely skip days here and there, to avoid becoming dependent on it. My biggest fear was that I, like so many, would have the dreaded "caffeine headaches" if I did not have a chance to have coffee that day.

And yet, I could not argue with the fact that coffee did, indeed, make me feel good.
When I had to get up at 4:30 every morning for surgery rounds, every day started with coffee. Maybe that's why I was so happy all the time.
When I was doing medicine rounds with the cardiologist, he even noticed the mornings that I had coffee. The whole day seemed brighter, more productive. I was more alert. I answered questions right. I remembered things and thought better.

So is this all a hoax? A coincidence? A marketing scheme? Or simply the "in" thing to drink?

After doing a bit of research, I decided that Starbucks must be paying someone to - either do the research, or write the articles!

I have come to the conclusion that I can't afford to NOT drink coffee.
Here are the things I discovered:

1. Coffee drinkers are 80% less likely to get Parkinson's, and the more you drink, the lower your risk is (for the medically challenged, Parkinson's is a disease that basically makes you shake).
2. If you drink at least 2 cups of coffee each day, you are 25% less likely to get colon cancer, 80% less likely to have cirrhosis of the liver, and 50% less likely to have gallstones.
3. Coffee helps to control asthma, increase your mood, and decrease headaches. The medicines used for asthma and headaches (Excedrin, for example, or most of the migraine medicines) contain caffeine, and that is why they work so well.
4. People who drink coffee are less likely to be depressed. And are able to focus and concentrate better than those who don't.
5. A component of coffee is called trigonelline, which has antibacterial activity and prevents cavities.
6. The antioxidants in coffee, especially quinines, increase insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, decreasing the risk of developing diabetes.
7. Because one of the properties of coffee is a natural laxative (sorry folks but it's true) you're less likely to develop diverticulosis, which is found in most of the American population.

HOWEVER, I believe I should add a few negatives, to counteract the clamor of "coffee is terrible for you" that is inevitable.
First, coffee DOES increase nervousness in some people, and can make your heart beat faster. It has been known to increase cholesterol and clog arteries (because that's what cholesterol does) of people with pre-existing heart disease. It can increase your blood pressure (but then, so can pretty much anything).
It isn't recommended in pregnancy, although it hasn't been shown to have true negative effects.
Also, it can increase the rate of osteoporosis, so it isn't recommended in people at higher risk for that (namely, older women).

I must say, I think I've been converted. I've gone from a closet coffee lover to a full-blown coffee advocate. Bring on that java jive, I say!

And that's that. I've only had one cup today.
I'd better go refill my mug.

posted by emily @ 8:01 PM 3 comments

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: Name: emily; Location: United States

Then I went down to the potter's house, and behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

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