The Positive Effects of Drinking Coffee Regularly
by Stacy Juchina
http://www.azcoffee.com
Caffeinated beverages, and coffee in particular, have
got a bum rap. Some people say coffee is harmful and
many try to cut the drink out of their diet altogether.
But don't put away your Mr. Coffee yet--recent studies
suggest that regular consumption of caffeine can
actually improve health. Good news for Starbucks--and
for you, since you can now have your morning cuppa
joe without feeling guilty!
According to researchers at Harvard School of Public Health
and Brigham and Women~s Hospital, studies indicate that
those who drank coffee on an ongoing basis within a test
environment were found to have a considerably reduced risk
of developing Type 2 Diabetes than those who did not
consume the beverage. In fact, male participants appeared
to have received the greatest benefit. Those who drank
more than six cups per day were shown to reduce their risks
by more than fifty percent. Conversely, women who drank
the same number of cups were only shown to reduce their
risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes by less than thirty
percent ~ still impressive, though not as significant as
the benefit to men.
According to scientists, antioxidants in coffee may
affect how the body reacts to insulin, a substance
that is related to blood glucose levels. Caffeinated
coffee may actually increase the body's sensitivity to
insulin, lessening the likelihood of an individual
developing Type 2 Diabetes.
Doctors believe that environmental factors, such as
diet, and family history are largely to blame for the
onset of this disease, which generally strikes obese
men and women over the age of 40. Once diagnosed,
patients must either take oral medication or insulin
injections to control glucose levels in the body. If
coffee does indeed impact the development of diabetes,
the implications for modern medicine are striking.
Scientists are not yet sure whether what you add to coffee--
cream, milk or sugar--has any effect on the end result.
What they do know is that caffeine appears to raise
glucose levels in the short-term. More studies will need
to be done in order to confirm whether the same is true
when it comes to long-term caffeine consumption.
Though researchers don~t encourage folks to take up the
habit of excessive coffee drinking, those who do enjoy a
hot cup of ~Joe~ can relax without the worry of the
negative impact of their favorite beverage on their bodies.
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