Showing posts with label 24 hour coffee station. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 24 hour coffee station. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Scientists Uncover Hidden Link Between Coffee, Gut and Brain Health
I think I'm in this category: I never get
the jitters or flushed skin.
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Coffee’s link to Parkinson’s risk may depend on how your body handles caffeine
No clue on what this is saying.
Will your incompetent? doctor and hospital ever come around to a 24 hour coffee station? Or are they mired in ignorance and absolute stupidity?
How coffee protects against Parkinson’s Aug. 2014
Coffee May Lower Your Risk of Dementia Feb. 2013
Coffee drinkers rejoice! Drinking coffee could lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease
And this: Coffee's Phenylindanes Fight Alzheimer's Plaque December 2018
New research suggests drinking coffee may reduce the risk of frailty May 2025
I think I'm in this category: I never get
the jitters or flushed skin.
Genetics determine how much coffee you can drink before it goes wrong
I'm doing a 12 cup pot of coffee a day with full fat milk to lessen my chances of dementia and Parkinsons. Tell me EXACTLY how much coffee to drink for that and I'll change. Yep, that is a lot more than the 400mg. suggested limit, I don't care! Preventing dementia and Parkinsons is vastly more important than whatever problems it can cause!
Of course, your fuckingly incompetent? doctor did nothing with this from 3+ years ago! And still hasn't created a 24 hour coffee station
Dementia risk could drop by drinking just one shot daily of common beverage August 2023
This line is great: The findings indicate that even the Espresso Martini cocktail contains the espresso's beneficial compounds - and can contribute to staving off dementia.
The latest here:
Coffee’s link to Parkinson’s risk may depend on how your body handles caffeine
Why does coffee appear to have different links with Parkinson’s risk from one person to another? A study of more than 435,000 people points to the interplay between caffeine metabolism, genetics, and sex.
Study: Coffee and Parkinson’s disease: associations by CYP1A2 genotype and sex in UK Biobank. Image Credit: Valery Evlakhov / Shutterstock
In a recent study published in the journal npj Parkinson's disease, researchers investigated whether the cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) genotype and sex modify the association between Parkinson's disease (PD) and coffee consumption.
PD is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that manifests with non-motor and motor symptoms, which impair the quality of life. While the etiology of PD is elusive, most cases (> 90%) result from the interplay between environmental exposures and genetic susceptibility. Organic solvents, heavy metals, and pesticides have been linked to a higher risk of PD, whereas caffeine intake has been associated with reduced risk.
Sex differences are also well recognized, with males exhibiting two-fold higher PD incidence than females, and females showing faster disease progression and higher mortality. Epidemiological studies consistently indicate an association between coffee intake and lower PD incidence, an association thought to be driven largely by caffeine, as decaffeinated coffee has not shown comparable benefits. However, not all people benefit equally from caffeine intake, suggesting inter-individual differences.
CYP1A2 is the main enzyme involved in caffeine metabolism. A genetic variant of CYP1A2, rs762551, alters inducibility: AA carriers are classified as fast metabolizers, AC carriers as intermediate metabolizers, and CC carriers as slow metabolizers, with slower metabolism resulting in prolonged systemic exposure to caffeine. Nevertheless, studies have yielded inconsistent results regarding caffeine–gene interactions, with some finding inverse associations in slow metabolizers and others reporting none.
About the study
In the present study, researchers evaluated how sex and the CYP1A2 genotype modify the association between PD and coffee consumption. They used data from the United Kingdom Biobank (UKB), a prospective cohort study of over half a million participants aged 37–73 years. At baseline, subjects completed questionnaires, underwent physical examinations, and provided blood, urine, and saliva samples.
Coffee consumption was determined from baseline questionnaires. Genotyping was performed using two genome-wide arrays. The primary exposure was the CYP1A2 rs762551 polymorphism. Participants were classified by genotype: AA carriers (fast metabolizers), AC carriers (intermediate metabolizers), and CC carriers (slow metabolizers). The primary outcome was PD incidence, determined from linked hospital and healthcare records.
Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to illustrate the cumulative incidence of PD across CYP1A2 genotypes and coffee intake categories (0 cups/day, <5 cups/day, and ≥5 cups/day). Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess the association between coffee intake and PD risk. Effect modification by CYP1A2 genotype and sex was investigated. Restricted cubic spline analyses examined potential non-linear dose-response relationships.
Findings
The study included 435,551 UKB participants free of PD at baseline. Most participants were White (>94%), and CYP1A2 genotypes were similarly distributed across coffee intake categories. Among these, 3,319 individuals developed PD during a median of 15.7 years of follow-up. Individuals with higher coffee intake (≥ five cups/day) had more frequent alcohol consumption, higher rates of current smoking, and lower tea intake. In the overall analysis, no significant associations were observed between the CYP1A2 genotype or coffee intake and PD risk.
Survival curves also revealed no significant differences in PD incidence across CYP1A2 genotypes or coffee intake categories. Nevertheless, there was a significant interaction between the CYP1A2 genotype and coffee consumption, indicating that the association varied by genotype. That is, AA carriers had a significantly reduced PD risk with low-to-moderate coffee consumption, an effect not observed at high intake levels.
AC carriers had a significant increase in PD risk with higher coffee intake; CC carriers also showed an increased risk. AA carriers exhibited a non-linear association, with the lowest risk of PD at about three cups/day of coffee intake. CC or AC carriers showed no significant non-linearity. Furthermore, stratified analyses by genotype and sex revealed that female AA carriers consuming < five cups/day had a lower PD risk, whereas male AC or CC carriers had an increased risk with high intake. However, formal interaction tests involving sex were not statistically significant, so these sex-specific patterns should be interpreted cautiously.
The genotype-specific patterns were broadly maintained across sensitivity analyses that excluded early PD cases, used alternative coffee-intake categories, adjusted more extensively for smoking, and tested different genotype groupings.
Conclusions
In summary, the association between coffee intake and PD risk varied by CYP1A2 genotype. There was a lower risk of PD among AA carriers who reported low-to-moderate coffee consumption, with the pattern most evident in females, but an increased risk among CC or AC carriers, particularly in males, with higher intake. However, coffee consumption was self-reported only at baseline and included both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, meaning the findings cannot be interpreted as evidence of a caffeine-specific effect.
The predominantly White European cohort and relatively small numbers of PD cases in some genotype–intake groups, particularly CC carriers, also limit the precision and generalizability of the subgroup findings. As an observational study, the research does not establish causality or support changing coffee consumption based on CYP1A2 genotype; instead, it provides hypotheses for future genotype-informed epidemiological and interventional studies.
Journal reference:
- Wang J, Wang H, Wan K, et al. (2026). Coffee and Parkinson’s disease: associations by CYP1A2 genotype and sex in UK Biobank. npj Parkinson’s Disease. DOI: 10.1038/s41531-026-01519-0, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41531-026-01519-0
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Coffee drinkers have less fat, more muscle, and surprising hormone differences: Study
Will your incompetent? doctor and hospital ever come around to a 24 hour coffee station? Or are they mired in ignorance and absolute stupidity?
How coffee protects against Parkinson’s Aug. 2014
Coffee May Lower Your Risk of Dementia Feb. 2013
Coffee drinkers rejoice! Drinking coffee could lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease
And this: Coffee's Phenylindanes Fight Alzheimer's Plaque December 2018
New research suggests drinking coffee may reduce the risk of frailty May 2025
I think I'm in this category: I never get
the jitters or flushed skin.
Genetics determine how much coffee you can drink before it goes wrong
I'm doing a 12 cup pot of coffee a day with full fat milk to lessen my chances of dementia and Parkinsons. Tell me EXACTLY how much coffee to drink for that and I'll change. Yep, that is a lot more than the 400mg. suggested limit, I don't care! Preventing dementia and Parkinsons is vastly more important than whatever problems it can cause!
Of course, your fuckingly incompetent? doctor did nothing with this from 3+ years ago! And still hasn't created a 24 hour coffee station
Dementia risk could drop by drinking just one shot daily of common beverage August 2023
This line is great: The findings indicate that even the Espresso Martini cocktail contains the espresso's beneficial compounds - and can contribute to staving off dementia.
The latest here:
Coffee drinkers have less fat, more muscle, and surprising hormone differences: Study
Monday, August 17, 2026
Daily Coffee Consumption Associated With Healthier Metabolic Profile, Finnish Study Finds
If all this earlier research didn't get you a 24 hour coffee station then your stroke medical 'professionals' ARE COMPLETELY USELESS!
How coffee protects against Parkinson’s Aug. 2014
Coffee May Lower Your Risk of Dementia Feb. 2013
Coffee drinkers rejoice! Drinking coffee could lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease
And this: Coffee's Phenylindanes Fight Alzheimer's Plaque December 2018
New research suggests drinking coffee may reduce the risk of frailty May 2025
I think I'm in this category: I never get
the jitters or flushed skin.
Genetics determine how much coffee you can drink before it goes wrong
I'm doing a 12 cup pot of coffee a day with full fat milk to lessen my chances of dementia and Parkinsons. Tell me EXACTLY how much coffee to drink for that and I'll change. Yep, that is a lot more than the 400mg. suggested limit, I don't care! Preventing dementia and Parkinsons is vastly more important than whatever problems it can cause!
Of course, your fuckingly incompetent? doctor did nothing with this from 3+ years ago! And still hasn't created a 24 hour coffee station
Dementia risk could drop by drinking just one shot daily of common beverage August 2023
This line is great: The findings indicate that even the Espresso Martini cocktail contains the espresso's beneficial compounds - and can contribute to staving off dementia.
The latest here:
Daily Coffee Consumption Associated With Healthier Metabolic Profile, Finnish Study Finds
Saturday, August 15, 2026
What happens to your kidneys when you drink coffee every day
With another benefit to coffee your INCOMPETENT? doctor and hospital will once again continue their INCOMPETENCE STREAK!
Still no 24 hour coffee station!
What happens to your kidneys when you drink coffee every day
Key Points
- Drinking coffee daily can help protect against chronic kidney disease and lower risk of kidney stones.
- Caffeine can potentially increase blood pressure and stress on kidneys, especially with hypertension.
- Limit added sugars and saturated fat in your coffee while being mindful of amounts for kidney health.
Your kidneys play an important role in filtering out waste and excess water from the body while balancing electrolytes. Healthy kidneys will do this automatically, but damage to the kidneys can potentially lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD), a progressive loss of kidney function that may require treatments like dialysis to mimic the role of the kidneys. If you’re one of the many Americans having coffee daily, your kidneys are being put to work filtering your favorite beverage. Which makes us wonder: Is coffee safe for kidney health?
Major health organizations, like the American Heart Association, recommend that healthy adults can enjoy up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day without negative health effects—that’s around 4 cups of coffee. “Current evidence suggests that moderate coffee intake, about 2 to 3 standard 8-ounce cups per day, is safe for most people with chronic kidney disease and may even support kidney health,” says Sara Prato, M.S., RDN, CSD. “The amount that is right for an individual can vary depending on factors such as blood pressure, caffeine sensitivity and overall health.”
Learn more about what happens to your kidneys when you drink coffee every day, as well as the best way to enjoy your morning cup for long-term kidney health.
Coffee May Lower Risk of Kidney Disease
Great news for those who enjoy drinking coffee daily: Research indicates drinking coffee may help lower the risk of developing CKD. “A meta-analysis found that people who drank 2 or more cups of coffee daily had a 14% lower risk of developing kidney disease,” says Melanie Betz, M.S., RD, CSR, FNKF, FAND. The reason for this may be related to the beneficial compounds in coffee that can aid in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
For people with existing kidney disease, drinking coffee may benefit kidney function. “Coffee may also be helpful for people who already have kidney disease, as it was associated with a lower risk of progression to end-stage kidney disease, protein in urine and mortality,” says Betz.
Coffee May Lower Risk of Kidney Stones
The causes of kidney stones are multifactorial, with both genetic and diet-related factors at play. However, if you drink coffee regularly, you may have a lower risk of developing kidney stones. This is for a few different reasons, according to Prato. “Coffee may help by increasing urine volume, which can dilute and flush out stone-forming minerals before they have a chance to form crystals,” she says. “Caffeine may also increase urine production, which may contribute to this protective effect.”
In general, both Betz and Prato recommend staying hydrated to prevent kidney stones. “At the end of the day, the most important thing to prevent kidney stones is to drink (a lot!) of fluid,” says Betz. She says coffee contributes fluid, which helps dilute urine and reduces the risk of forming all types of kidney stones.
Caffeine May Raise Blood Pressure
From the AHA is this: Habitual coffee intake: BP neutral/↓;
Hypertension can eventually cause kidney disease due to a narrowing of the blood vessels that lead to the kidneys, creating a cycle of impairing the ability to properly remove waste and therefore increasing blood pressure due to excess fluid. Caffeinated coffee may influence blood pressure, but the association between caffeine intake and hypertension has been debated. Some research has found that drinking coffee may reduce the risk of hypertension, but others have shown the opposite. Still, those with existing hypertension may need to use caution when adding caffeine to their daily diet.
“More caffeine could raise blood pressure, which can directly damage kidneys,” says Betz. When blood pressure is already high or is borderline high, even the slightest increase could be a cause for concern. “If you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, it may be best to limit caffeinated coffee to 1 to 2 cups per day and monitor your blood pressure, since larger amounts of caffeine consumed at one time can temporarily raise blood pressure,” says Prato.
How to Enjoy Coffee for Kidney Health
- Limit Added Sugar. “The health benefits of coffee come from black coffee. Adding too much sugar and/or cream could easily outweigh those benefits,” says Betz. This is important since so many popular coffee drinks contain added sugar. “A sugary coffee drink can easily have three times your daily sugar limit,” warns Betz. If you regularly add sugar to your coffee at home or when ordering coffee from a restaurant, try cutting back in small increments over time. For people who typically choose flavored coffee drinks or blended coffee with added sugar, it’s important to review the nutrition facts and understand what you’re drinking. In many cases, substitutions can be made to reduce or eliminate the added sugar.
- Limit Saturated Fat. Betz cautions against adding cream to your coffee, as sources of saturated fat can increase risk for heart disease and ultimately kidney disease. If you currently put creamer in your coffee, consider adding less or switching to an alternative option. “Skim or low-fat milk can be great substitutes for cream to help reduce calories and saturated fat,” says Betz.(Really? You haven't heard of the benefits of dairy fat? So, you ARE that incompetent!)
- Find a Roast You Like. Sometimes people add extra sugar and cream to their coffee because they don’t enjoy the taste of the coffee itself. In those cases, you can try modifying the type of coffee you drink. For example, you may prefer a light roast instead of a dark roast. This switch may make your coffee more enjoyable without the need for extra sugar and cream.
- Be Mindful of Total Quantity. Prato says that even though plain black coffee is safe for people with kidney disease, the total amount matters. While caffeine is something to be mindful of when drinking coffee, other nutrients, like potassium, also need to be taken into consideration. “An 8-ounce cup contains about 100 milligrams of potassium, which is appropriate for many people with CKD,” says Prato. “However, if you drink several cups per day, the potassium content can add up. People who need to limit potassium or have high potassium blood levels may need to adjust their intake based on their individual needs.”
Our Expert Take
Drinking your daily cup of coffee can be beneficial for your kidneys by helping to protect against kidney disease and kidney stones. However, experts recommend no more than 400 mg of caffeine daily, because too much caffeine can potentially raise blood pressure, especially in those who already have hypertension, which increases stress on the kidneys and can lead to damage over time. (I'm way over that because I have genes that process caffeine fast and you still haven't told me EXACTLY how much coffee to drink to prevent Parkinsons and dementia.)
“Overall, coffee can be a healthy habit when enjoyed in moderation and tailored to an individual’s health needs,” says Prato. Additionally, additives like sugar and saturated fat should be limited to protect long-term kidney health. If you have high blood pressure or existing kidney disease, you may need to limit your coffee intake to just 1 to 2 cups per day. The best approach is to talk with your health care provider to assess your current coffee habit or before adding caffeinated coffee to your daily routine.
Read the original article on EatingWell
Saturday, August 1, 2026
The 1 thing Americans do with coffee that shocks people around the world
You can practice the various ways and socialize when YOUR INCOMPETENT? DOCTOR FINALLY GETS A 24 HOUR COFFEE STATION INSTALLED!
The 1 thing Americans do with coffee that shocks people around the world
Picture this: You’re rushing off to work and thinking about the never-ending list of to-do’s you’re hoping to work your way through today. On the way, you pop into your local coffee shop for some much-needed caffeine. But instead of grabbing your large drip coffee or latte to go, you sit down at a table or stand at a coffee bar and drink from a ceramic mug. Does this sound absurd? Well, this is actually how coffee is consumed in many places throughout the world.
In the U.S., we constantly carry around take-away cups of drip coffee, but throughout many parts of the world — like some parts of Europe and New Zealand, for example — that just isn’t the norm.
Must Read: 8 Annoying Traits Of American Tourists Who Dine Abroad
Sure, some people grab a coffee to-go every now and then, but many people drink their coffee from a mug right there in the cafe — whether seated solo, with a group of friends or standing up at the bar. Sometimes it’s a communal thing to sit down and drink coffee with friends. Other times it’s more about just throwing back an espresso on the way to work — either way it happens right there at the cafe.
“Takeaway coffee culture is often dictated by an environmental lifestyle — for instance in Italy, where it is customary to stand at the bar and enjoy an espresso quickly. This quick, sociable and affordable ritual is deeply rooted in Italian culture,” said Jack Foster, co-owner and operations director at Crosby Coffee in England. “Other European countries such as Austria or France see their customers sit down and savor their coffee leisurely, often accompanied by a pastry. Again, a way of life in some cities and choices made by their communities’ lifestyle.”
If you’re obsessed with the hustle and can’t imagine doing anything else but run off from the cafe with your coffee and cart it around everywhere you go for the next hour, you’re going to want to keep reading to see how things are done differently.
For insight, we reached out to coffee experts for their take on takeaway coffee culture in the United States and how this is different from other parts of the world where takeaway culture hasn’t fully taken over.
Must Read: The Best Olive Oil To Buy At The Grocery Store, According To Experts
South America and Central America
“In Brazil, people enjoy their coffee in cafes over long conversations. It’s a very social thing. It’s certainly not about taking your coffee on the run in a paper cup.” — Paulo Peres, who was born and raised in Brazil and is managing principal at specialty coffee importer Agrisapien Traders LLC in the United States
“As someone with Brazilian and Italian nationality, I can say that the coffee culture in both countries is much more social. In Brazil, you’ll be offered coffee at almost every house or office you visit, and after lunch, many people stop at a local bakery for a coffee and a chat with the locals. Similarly, in Italy, people visit espresso bars, where even if they spend just two minutes, they prefer to enjoy their coffee in a proper cup and have a brief conversation with the barista.
“In Italy and Brazil, people generally prefer to stop for their coffee in a proper cup, regardless of the coffee’s quality.” —Bruna Costa, who is a licensed coffee Q grader and director and co-founder of Bossa Coffee Company in London. She was born and raised in a coffee-producing and exporting family in Brazil.
“When my dad took me out to coffee after I moved from Guatemala to Chicago in 1995, I was surprised with the rushed cafe culture in the U.S. Coming from a country where coffee is commonly enjoyed in a ceramic mug without milk at any time of day, it was a surprise to see iced and hot lattes as the norm, all served in a to-go cup to keep up with the fast pace of American life. In the U.S., people rarely have time to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee with family and friends the way we do in Guatemala.” — Glendy Alejandro, a Guatemala native who works as lead barista at Venteux Brasserie, Cafe & Oyster Bar in Chicago.
Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost.
India
“The take away coffee culture in the U.S. is considerably different from what I’ve seen in India. In India coffee and tea breaks are common especially during the work day, which makes it something that people want to have away from their desks. So you will see a lot of small coffee and tea shops right outside large office buildings with people standing near the establishment drinking their coffee and engaging in conversation with their co-workers, away from their desks.
“As part of Indian culture, food and drink are very social concepts. So most occasions where Indians eat or drink are not alone in their car or on their way to work but rather something they would do with their family at home or with their colleagues at work or with their friends after work. It’s very much an experience rather than just a product.” — Shonali Paul, founder of Paul John Indian Caffeine Company, which is based in the United States and sources coffee beans from South India
Must Read: 8 Annoyingly American Coffee Orders That Flag You’re A Tourist Abroad
Philippines
“In the Philippines, where I have been living for the past 12 years, the coffee culture is more of a leisurely quality. Cafés are more like social hubs, places to escape the heat and humidity, and the baristas take pride in crafting each beverage with care.
“Unlike in the U.S., where many people drink coffee primarily for its caffeine boost when rushing from one place to another, it’s a ritual in Southeast Asia. Honestly, it’s not uncommon here in the Philippines to see families or groups of friends spending an entire afternoon at a café, enjoying the AC and free Wi-Fi.
“While the convenience of takeaway coffee is undeniable, there’s something to be said for the slower, more intentional approach to coffee culture that I experience here in the Philippines. It’s more of a feeling of community, which can be harder to find in the fast-paced, grab-and-go world of American coffee shops.” — Mark Morphew, who is originally from the United Kingdom and is founder of the online educational coffee resource BeanGround
Europe
“Size of drinks and commuting play a huge role in how Americans drink their coffee. In Italy people drink a cappuccino, generally around 6-8 ounces, or an espresso, 2-4 ounces. These small drinks are easy to enjoy at the cafe in a porcelain cup in a couple minutes. In the U.S., the large chains, Starbucks being the obvious one, you see 16, 20, 24-plus ounce sized drinks. Those are not meant to be drank in one sitting. Additionally unless you live in a big city you drive to work, so the convenience of a drive-thru, which obviously equals a takeaway, is where commuters flock so they can drink their coffee in the car on the way into work.
Must Read: Hate The Way Your Coffee Tastes? You Might Just Be Using The Wrong Equipment.
“Taking breaks to enjoy food and beverage isn’t celebrated as much in the U.S. In Spain, business shuts down for a long lunch, [and] in Sweden you Fika, taking a break to enjoy coffee and a snack. How often we work through lunch, eating at the computer, or skip it all together here in the United States. In all my years in coffee, a general coffee shop that has seating may have 20-30% have their orders be for here — oftentimes less than that. My greatest encouragement to U.S. coffee drinkers to enjoy coffee for here, beyond just taking time to stop and enjoy the moment, is the waste impact. Coffee shops produce a significant amount of waste due to-go culture. There are businesses like Stumptown who actually offer a .25 discount when you order your drink for here to encourage this sustainable practice.” — Laila Ghambari, a coffee industry consultant and former U.S. Barista Champion
“Coffee culture in Europe versus the U.S. is quite different, but each has a purpose and a place. In Europe, the coffee scene is characterized by a slower pace, one that fosters conversation and engagement, whereas in the U.S., the coffee environment is characterized by speed and efficiency. Both coffee cultures share one key element: routine.” —Alexa Lindsay, brand manager of Segafredo Zanetti USA
The original version of this story was published on HuffPost at an earlier date.
New research reveals surprising way to lower your heart disease risk
Really? You're that fucking late to the game?
I do coffee all day, takes that long to get in a 12 cup pot of coffee. This won't change my habit, it's mainly to reduce my dementia and Parkinsons risk and no one knows the amounts for that.
I'm still doing a 12 cup pot of coffee daily to prevent Parkinsons and frailty! Much more important than any problems it can cause.
How coffee protects against Parkinson’s Aug. 2014
Coffee May Lower Your Risk of Dementia Feb. 2013
Coffee drinkers rejoice! Drinking coffee could lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease
And this: Coffee's Phenylindanes Fight Alzheimer's Plaque December 2018
New research suggests drinking coffee may reduce the risk of frailty May 2025
I think I'm in this category: I never get
the jitters or flushed skin.
Genetics determine how much coffee you can drink before it goes wrong
I'm doing a 12 cup pot of coffee a day with full fat milk to lessen my chances of dementia and Parkinsons. Tell me EXACTLY how much coffee to drink for that and I'll change. Yep, that is a lot more than the 400mg. suggested limit, I don't care! Preventing dementia and Parkinsons is vastly more important than whatever problems it can cause!
Of course, your fuckingly incompetent? doctor did nothing with this from 3+ years ago! And still hasn't created a 24 hour coffee station
Dementia risk could drop by drinking just one shot daily of common beverage August 2023
This line is great: The findings indicate that even the Espresso Martini cocktail contains the espresso's beneficial compounds - and can contribute to staving off dementia.
The latest here:
New research reveals surprising way to lower your heart disease risk
If you’re a coffee lover, this news will surely perk you up. According to the American Heart Association’s recent scientific statement in Circulation, most adults can safely consume up to five, 8-ounce cups of caffeinated coffee (equal to about 400 mg of caffeine) a day without harming your heart or increasing your risk of cardiovascular disease.
The scientists also say for some people, that third, fourth, or fifth cup may decrease the risk of some cardiovascular conditions, including stroke, heart failure, heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure) and atrial fibrillation, along with Type 2 diabetes.
These findings are reassuring because they finally dispel the long-standing myth that coffee is detrimental to cardiovascular health, says Craig Basman, M.D., a structural and interventional cardiologist and associate director of Structural and Congenital Heart Disease at Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) in Hackensack, NJ.
“The conventional guidance, based on earlier studies and the existing literature, was to limit caffeine intake to one to two cups a day,” he explains. “But now we’re seeing that moderate coffee consumption may actually provide cardioprotective benefits, and adding an extra cup or two daily doesn’t appear to increase cardiovascular risk, including arrhythmia (an abnormal or irregular heart rhythm) risk, in healthy adults,” says Dr. Basman.
Related video: How much coffee per day is safe? Here's the answer. (WATN Memphis)Bibhu Mohanty, M.D., a structural cardiologist and an associate professor at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine in Tampa, agrees. He believes the AHA statement acknowledges and gives a broad recommendation that’s good for most people based on existing data, all without pushing any extremes. statement acknowledges and gives a broad recommendation that’s good for most people based on existing data, all without pushing any extremes.“This is the most definitive statement coming from a body as authoritative as the American Heart Association,” says Dr. Mohanty. “What they’ve distilled is in the 3 to 5 cup range, you’re not going to hurt yourself or add to your cardiovascular risk.”
Here’s more of the research findings and how those drinking a little extra Joe every day may keep some cardiovascular issues, and more, at bay.
How might coffee protect your heart?
Coffee beans, harvested from coffee trees, are the seeds that grow inside a fruit called the “coffee cherry.” Like other plant-based foods, coffee offers a multitude of positive properties. For example, according to many studies, consuming plant-based foods can significantly reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, some types of cancers and all-cause mortality.
What is it about coffee’s content that might account for a healthier ticker? It may be due to the flavonoids in the beans. “A lot of plant-based products have a variety of flavonoids (bioactive compounds with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities) that impact blood vessel tone and how well they can dilate,” says Dr. Mohanty. “If the lining of blood vessels is allowed to properly dilate, it can allow for more blood flow to the heart, which can be very important if a person has plaque buildup in their arteries.”
Dr. Mohanty also says research has shown that flavonoids contribute to improving your high-density lipoprotein (HDL), known as the “good” type of cholesterol, and decreasing your low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol levels. “Flavonoids can shift the ratio of HDL and LDL cholesterol so it’s going in a good direction,” says Dr. Mohanty.
A higher intake of flavonoids has also been found to lower the risk of hypertension. One study in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine reported those people who had the highest total flavonoid intake were 25% less likely to have high blood pressure compared to the participants with the lowest flavonoid intake.
“Unfiltered coffee can raise unwanted cholesterol whereas filtered coffee cannot,” Dr. Basman says. Why? By using a mesh or paper filter, it prevents certain negative compounds like cafestol, a natural oil that raises LDL levels, from making its way into your coffee.
Adding any extras to your brew can also interfere or cancel out any cardiovascular protection. “The health benefits are quickly lost when you start adding fillers, such as sugar, cream, milk or flavored syrups,” explains Dr. Basman. “You’re adding things containing chemicals and/or fat that’s not necessarily healthy for the heart. For instance, cream or whole milk may raise your cholesterol.”
The paper’s scientists also note adding sugar or dairy products to your coffee can substantially increase calorie intake. This can of course result in extra weight gain, which can potentially increase your risk of developing conditions such as obesity and diabetes, both of which could lead to heart problems.
But Dr. Basman says don’t sweat it too much if you don’t want to drink your coffee straight. “Although the healthiest way to consume coffee is generally black, I’m not overly concerned about a modest amount of milk or sugar having a significant negative metabolic effect,” he says. “As long as it’s not in excessive quantities, it’s unlikely to meaningfully offset the cardiovascular benefits we’re seeing.”
What about other caffeinated drinks?
It's important to note the research looked at caffeinated black coffee and emphasize these possible cardiovascular benefits don’t apply to caffeinated sodas or those keep-you-awake energy drinks, the latter of which can have whopping amounts of caffeine.
“Individually, these drinks have 3 to 10 times more caffeine than a cup of coffee, which if taken in excess, can pose potentially serious problems, such as heart palpitations, arrhythmias and high blood pressure,” warns Dr. Mohanty.
The bottom line
The researchers stress when it comes to caffeine consumption, there’s no “one-size-fits-all” strategy. Individuals can respond differently to caffeine based on an array of factors, including age, medications, underlying health conditions, how quickly their body metabolizes it and even genetics. The scientists also underscore the importance of paying attention to how you respond to caffeine and talking to your doctor if drinking more coffee doesn’t feel right.
However, for many java enthusiasts, there’s no need to feel guilty for indulging in those extra cups. Dr. Mohanty says he’s happy to know people can enjoy their caffeinated coffee and have some guidance on a specific amount of consumption that’s safe. “The paper gives a very fair assessment that consuming within that mid-range of 3 to 5 cups a day is okay and may have positive effects on your heart health.”
After all, coffee is more than just a drink to wake you up; it’s a beverage that brings people together. “Coffee is a big part of our lives both socially and culturally, and no one is trying to take that away from us,” says Dr. Mohanty.
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