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Coffee as a Health Drink? Studies Find Some Benefits
The New York Times ^ | August 15, 2006 | By NICHOLAS BAKALAR

Posted on 08/15/2006 8:48:19 AM PDT by aculeus

Coffee is not usually thought of as health food, but a number of recent studies suggest that it can be a highly beneficial drink. Researchers have found strong evidence that coffee reduces the risk of several serious ailments, including diabetes, heart disease and cirrhosis of the liver.

Among them is a systematic review of studies published last year in The Journal of the American Medical Association, which concluded that habitual coffee consumption was consistently associated with a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes. Exactly why is not known, but the authors offered several explanations.

Coffee contains antioxidants that help control the cell damage that can contribute to the development of the disease. It is also a source of chlorogenic acid, which has been shown in animal experiments to reduce glucose concentrations.

Caffeine, perhaps coffee’s most famous component, seems to have little to do with it; studies that looked at decaffeinated coffee alone found the same degree of risk reduction.

Larger quantities of coffee seem to be especially helpful in diabetes prevention. In a report that combined statistical data from many studies, researchers found that people who drank four to six cups of coffee a day had a 28 percent reduced risk compared with people who drank two or fewer. Those who drank more than six had a 35 percent risk reduction.

Some studies show that cardiovascular risk also decreases with coffee consumption. Using data on more than 27,000 women ages 55 to 69 in the Iowa Women’s Health Study who were followed for 15 years, Norwegian researchers found that women who drank one to three cups a day reduced their risk of cardiovascular disease by 24 percent compared with those drinking no coffee at all.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News
KEYWORDS: coffee; health
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1 posted on 08/15/2006 8:48:21 AM PDT by aculeus
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To: aculeus

OK, if that is the case, why isn't Java Man still around, eh?


2 posted on 08/15/2006 8:52:15 AM PDT by gov_bean_ counter ( Helen Thomas on anticipating and handling a crisis: "I'll live under that bridge when I get to it.")
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To: aculeus
Not only that, but a couple of nice generous cups can help you get up in the morning!


3 posted on 08/15/2006 8:52:54 AM PDT by VRWCmember
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To: VRWCmember

4 posted on 08/15/2006 8:53:55 AM PDT by null and void (Imagine a world without a CAIR...)
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To: aculeus

I always knew there was a good reason to bounce off the walls.


5 posted on 08/15/2006 8:54:07 AM PDT by Just another Joe (Warning: FReeping can be addictive and helpful to your mental health)
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To: VRWCmember
Double entendré intended?
6 posted on 08/15/2006 8:55:14 AM PDT by null and void (Imagine a world without a CAIR...)
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To: Just another Joe

7 posted on 08/15/2006 8:55:51 AM PDT by null and void (Imagine a world without a CAIR...)
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To: null and void

Of course.


8 posted on 08/15/2006 8:55:55 AM PDT by VRWCmember
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To: null and void

Surely not.


9 posted on 08/15/2006 8:56:36 AM PDT by Lurking in Kansas (Nothing witty here… move on.)
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To: aculeus

As I pour my 3rd cup, I salute you & proclaim "to my health".


10 posted on 08/15/2006 8:57:47 AM PDT by Feiny (drunk, crazy and naked streaking isn't something that can be considered a normal, fun thing)
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To: VRWCmember

Next year, of course, they'll release a report saying coffee will kill you.

As my mom always said...just do all things in moderation and you're usually just fine!


11 posted on 08/15/2006 8:57:49 AM PDT by freepertoo
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To: Lurking in Kansas

...and stop calling me Shirley...


12 posted on 08/15/2006 8:57:52 AM PDT by null and void (Imagine a world without a CAIR...)
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To: aculeus

Yesssssssssssssssss,now if we can get beer on the list it will be perfect !!!


13 posted on 08/15/2006 8:59:35 AM PDT by Obie Wan
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To: aculeus

14 posted on 08/15/2006 9:00:32 AM PDT by Fighting Irish (Béagán agus a rá go maith)
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To: aculeus

I remember when Clinton first took office. One of the very first things I remember him saying he wanted to do was to regulate caffeine as a drug. I knew at that moment he was going to be a worthless President.


15 posted on 08/15/2006 9:14:06 AM PDT by TruthBeforeAll (Christ gave and died. Mohammed took and killed.)
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To: aculeus

16 posted on 08/15/2006 9:18:59 AM PDT by PBRSTREETGANG
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To: TruthBeforeAll

Nice tagline.


17 posted on 08/15/2006 9:33:28 AM PDT by null and void (Imagine a world without a CAIR...)
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To: aculeus

18 posted on 08/15/2006 9:34:11 AM PDT by PBRSTREETGANG
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To: sweetliberty


19 posted on 08/15/2006 9:36:21 AM PDT by null and void (Imagine a world without a CAIR...)
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To: Obie Wan
Where have you been?

http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2005/11/26/anticancer_compound_in_beer_gaining_interest.html

Once they deem Bratwurst as a health-food - I'll know heaven truly is here on earth!
20 posted on 08/15/2006 9:45:59 AM PDT by PissAndVinegar
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