subject: CUP OF COFFEE [print this page] Whenever tired or exhausted, it is a habit to immediately reach for a cup of coffee; when going out with friends, we usually decide going out for coffee. Coffee has knowingly or unknowingly become an invaluable part of our fast paced life. But before picking up steaming hot cup of coffee, do we ever try to think about the health effects? Many people still avoid caffeinated coffee because they worry about its health effects, but current research reveals that in moderation- a few cups a day, coffee is a safe beverage that may even offer some health benefits and that moderate coffee consumption doesn't cause harm, it's also uncovered possible benefits. Studies show risk for type 2 diabetes is lower among regular coffee drinkers than among those who don't drink it.
Also, coffee may reduce the risk of developing gallstones, discourage the development of colon cancer, improve cognitive function, reduce the risk of liver damage in people at high risk for liver disease and reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease. Coffee has also been shown to improve endurance performance in long-duration physical activities. For those who drink coffee to stay alert, new research suggests that you'll stay more alert, particularly if you are fighting sleep deprivation, if you spread your coffee consumption over the course of the day. Like everything else, coffee has it's positives as well as negatives. Everyone must be aware that coffee is a mild stimulant of the central nervous system, helping to reduce drowsiness and fatigue. While it is true, coffee helps reduce fatigue but it is a short-termed effect which finishes after some time and in turn leads to a craving for another cup. This eventually becomes a cycle leading to heavy intake of caffeine causing side-effects in the body.
It can thus be said that coffee can become addictive leaving a person with withdrawal symptoms. In addition, when consumed in large quantities, it can also cause anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, tense muscles and even irregular heartbeats. If you are already suffering form heart ailment or hypertension, then you should use coffee with extreme caution. If you are a woman with large consumption of coffee, then it may aggravate symptoms of PMS. If coffee has bad effects, it has some positives too. It is known to help provide relief to people suffering from migraine, asthma or constipation. It protects against the pain of gallstones and helps in decreasing the risk of colon cancer. Thus, consume coffee but in small, moderate quantity so that it does not become a habit.
