Health Benefits of Coffee

Rare are the folks who do not look forward to their morning cup of coffee. Even if you do not drink coffee on a daily basis, you have to admit that there is something cosy, comforting and almost luxurious about drinking a cup of hot coffee. Nothing beats the aroma, and yes, nothing beats the coffee high. Not to mention that the health benefits of coffee are starting to be be discovered by the scientific community, thus giving us even more reason to maintain our coffee addictions.
Coffee is the the most popular beverage in the world bar water. Don’t think that’s possible? Here’s a news flash for you – coffee is the most prized commodity on the market, second only to oil. Billions of people start their day with coffee. Some to get their bowels moving, others to kickstart their sleepy brains in the morning, and definitely all for the unmistakable aroma and flavor that coffee imparts.
Now if you have been keeping abreast of health news and studies, then you know that coffee has received a lot of flack over the last couple of decades. The health benefits of coffee have been hotly debated, and they still are to date. Headlines scream that coffee is terrible for so and so health ailment or will raise your risk for some disease and you rue that you may have to quit coffee. But just a couple of weeks later, another study raves about the health benefits of coffee and you are overjoyed that you do not have to give up coffee after all (not that you were really going to anyway).
It’s no surprise then that most people do not know if coffee is good or bad for them. Not that that minor detail is going to stop anyone from drinking coffee. But considering that coffee is probably a part of your daily routine, that you don’t ever plan on quitting, that there’s a coffee shop around every corner now, and that the world is becoming a more health-conscious place, perhaps it’s time to buckle down and figure out what exactly the health benefits of coffee are, if any.
Does Coffee Have Health Benefits?

Coffee lovers, rejoice! Coffee doesn’t just have health benefits, it’s actually a super-food! You probably don’t even want to know more beyond this, so eager are you to go make yourself a cuppa just to celebrate. But hang around for a few more minutes; some of the health benefits of coffee are truly worth learning about. Plus, you can use the following health benefits of coffee to counter any anti-coffee arguments.
A Natural Stimulant For the Body and Brain
But you know this already. The caffeine in coffee not only wakes you up in the morning but it can actually make you more alert, help you remember things better, and contribute to better productivity. Studies suggest that there may be a link between regular coffee-drinkers and a lower incidence of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and Parkinson’s disease for this very same reason. Coffee accomplishes this amazing feat by stimulating your nervous system. This is why you must be careful to regulate your coffee intake throughout the day to between 2 and 4 cups, which is enough to get you the health benefits of coffee without harming you. Too much coffee will over-stimulate the nervous system and can lead to irritability, anxiety, and restlessness.
Coffee Acts As a Diuretic and Laxative
There’s a reason so many people need their coffee in the morning. Coffee stimulates the bowels, plus it flushes out the kidneys thus being responsible for frequent bathroom breaks. If you are constipated, coffee is a great way to get things moving.
Get Rid of Migraines With a Cuppa
You have probably experienced some of the health benefits of coffee for yourself. Here’s another one that you most likely already know about. If you have a headache or a migraine, a cup of coffee can make it disappear in just a few minutes. This is because coffee has analgesic properties in its caffeine content. In fact, take a look at the ingredients on some of the painkillers that you regularly pop and you will discover that caffeine is listed on at least a couple of them.
Health Benefits of Coffee Reduce the Risk of Major Diseases

Coffee has been linked negatively to the higher incidence of many prevalent health ailments. But after years of research, the prior claims have been proven false. The caffeine and antioxidants in coffee, in addition to hundreds of other compounds that change our body chemistry, actually have a range of health benefits which have the potential to prevent the onset of several major diseases.
The high levels of antioxidants in coffee can cut your risk of certain forms of cancer be almost half. According to studies so far, the cancers most likely to be prevented by coffee include prostate cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer and colon cancer. The flavonoids and phytoestrogens in coffee can prevent tumors from growing and spreading. The health benefits of coffee are constantly being investigated for their effectiveness against other cancers as well.
Cancer is not the only disease that is affected so dramatically by the health benefits of coffee. You can even cut your risk of developing gallstones by 50% simply by sipping on a few cups of coffee a day because of the xanthine content in coffee.
The health benefits of coffee extend to protecting your heart as well. Research shows that you can cut your risk of developing cardiovascular disease by at least 25% by drinking coffee on a daily basis. Coffee has shown amazing health benefits in reducing the risk of arrhythmia and stoke.
Diabetics or those at high risk of developing diabetes can also benefit from a couple of cups of java a day. Coffee contains chlorogoenic acid which can regulate blood sugar levels as well as increase insulin sensitivity. Both these effects contribute to lowering your risk of getting type 2 diabetes.
The chlorogenic acid in coffee shows incredible health benefits for a damaged liver as well. So drinking coffee can prevent the onset of liver diseases like cirrhosis. Just 3 to 4 cups a day can reduce your risk of developing cirrhosis by 80%! Now that’s quite a feat for the little bean. But you cannot expect to reduce your risk if you continue to drink excessive amounts of alcohol – the cause of cirrhosis. Coffee can do wonders if you begin to take care of your body and health, but you cannot expect it to work miracles when you insist on abusing alcohol.
As we have already seen earlier, the health benefits of coffee for the brain can reduce your risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. So stick to your daily coffee if you want to keep your wits about you when you are older.
Coffee can help reduce the risk of as well as cure gout since it counteracts the uric acid build-up in the blood, which is what causes gout.
An Anti-aging Elixir
Antioxidants and caffeine, both of which are present in coffee in very high amounts, prevent cell damage and may be able to reverse the effects of aging. A cup of coffee a day can be a part of your beauty regimen as it prevents premature aging of cells, allows your body to repair damaged cells, and may help your skin to appear younger for longer.
Brings Relief to Asthmatics
A hot cup of coffee opens up the airways and allows for easier breathing. Asthma patients who drink coffee have 30% fewer symptoms than their non-coffee-drinking counterparts. You can thank the caffeine for the health benefits of coffee for asthma sufferers. So the next time you are having an asthma attack and the medication and inhalers do not help, down a cup of hot coffee so you can breathe easy again.
Health Benefits of Coffee for Weight Loss
Ah, the ever-popular debate. It seems that most foods nowadays are tested for their effects in weight management. Coffee has been too, and the results showed that coffee can improve your metabolism, thus allowing you to burn more calories. But this is not going to happen of you have an unhealthy diet. The health benefits of coffee for weight loss will only be apparent if you have an overall balanced lifestyle.
There is another way in which coffee may help with weight loss. If you are following an exercise routine, having a cup of coffee before your workout will make your body and mind alert and you are thus more likely to have a more focused workout than usual, working harder than you normally would for longer periods of time, in turn burning more calories to help you lose weight.
Coffee for Oral Health
Research conducted in 2002 concluded that coffee’s anti-bacterial properties can hep to prevent tooth decay and cavities by neutralizing the microorganisms that cause the damage. Coffee also has anti-adhesive properties, which means that when you drink coffee destructive microorganisms find it harder to stick to your teeth.
Contraindications of Coffee

OK, so the health benefits of coffee are amazing and you are breathing a sigh of relief that you do not have to give it up. But wait a minute. There have been other studies done that have talked about how bad coffee is for you. Those studies are conducted by scientists and food researchers of the same caliber as those offering evidence of the health benefits of coffee. And you have to be fair for the sake of you health to look at both sides of the argument.
Anything in excess is going to have adverse results. If you are drinking seven to ten cups of coffee a day, you are more likely to suffer from side effects than see any health benefits of coffee. Stick to two maybe three cups a day and you should be fine.
Coffee can cause sleeplessness. This is a rather obvious one. The caffeine boost is bound to keep you awake if you have coffee after 4 pm (or about 7 hours before bed time). Try a decaf version if you cannot do without coffee toward the end of the day.
“Coffee makes you fat” “Cut down on coffee to lose weight” How many times have you heard or read this? If nothing else can make you quit coffee, this one definitely will. But coffee in itself does not have many calories – only 5 a cup. What does have calories though is the sugar, milk and cream that you add to coffee to make it more palatable. The coffee bars in your neighborhood are notorious for their high-calories coffee delights. But these should be once-in-awhile treats rather than a daily affair or you will indeed pile on the pounds just like the research suggests. Stick to black – it’s the purest flavor and the mark of a true coffee lover.
Lots of research has proven that coffee can aggravate heartburn because it is strong enough to trigger the secretion of the acids in your stomach. Too much coffee, especially black coffee, can indeed lead to heartburn, especially if you already suffer from ulcers, indigestion or other stomach problems.
Since coffee is a diuretic, it may cause dehydration if you do not replenish your body with fluids after multiple bathroom trips.
If you drink too much coffee – more than 5 cups a day – it can interfere with the optimal functioning of your body. Research reveals that caffeine does not allow your bones to absorb the nutrients from food, thus making them weaker and raising your risk for osteoporosis. But this may be countered by adding more milk to your coffee.
Although no strong evidence exists, coffee is thought to increase the risk of miscarriage. This is why pregnant women are advised to reduce their coffee intake to just one cup a day.
While coffee is good for your teeth, heavy coffee drinkers risk staining their teeth.
Finally, coffee is addictive. There’s no doubt about this. If you try to quit you will experience withdrawal symptoms as if you were weaning yourself off a powerful drug. Those who have been drinking coffee for several years find that they need even more coffee to feel the buzz. This can lead to a higher coffee intake which will lead to all or some of the above side effects of coffee.
To drink or not to drink? – that is the question. While the side effects of coffee do indeed make you take pause, the health benefits of coffee are too numerous and encouraging to be ignored. However, moderation has never resulted in adversity. So go enjoy your cup of coffee without guilt or worry, but make sure you control your intake of this seductive brew.

Honey To The Human Body Health

Honey is a natural fluids that generally have a sweet taste, produced by honey bees from the pollen of plants or other parts of plants or excretions of insects. Honey is a food that is very useful for health care, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. The benefits of honey have been known since ancient times. Ancient civilizations considered the god of honey as a food because it could create long-lived humans.


Treatment with honey has been known to the Egyptians since 2600 BC. Honey is used as an antiseptic to treat wounds by Greeks, Romans, Assyrians, and the ancient Chinese. German nation was wearing when World War II ( Sarwono, 2001). The benefits of such a large honey has lead scientists to examine the efficacy of honey scientifically. Research on the use of honeybee products started since 1922 by prof. R. Chauvin of the University of Sorbonne, France ( Apiari Scouts, 2003 in Peri, 2004). Further studies about the benefits of honey a lot done and managed to decipher the various benefits of honey, one of them in health.

Honey according to research results known to contain 24 kinds of sugars, in addition to ferment containing substances, vitamins, minerals, acids, amino acids, hormones, bactericidal substances, and aromatic ingredients. Some important minerals in honey are sodium, calcium, magnesium, copper, manganese, iron, potassium, and phosphorus to levels close to the mineral composition of human blood. While vitamins in honey include vitamins B1, B2, K and C. Energy produced per 100 g of honey on average 294-328 calories. Calorific value of 1 kg of honey is equivalent to 50 eggs, 24 bananas, 40 oranges, 5.7 liters of milk, or 1.68 kg of meat.

Calcium absorption is increased if the amount of honey, which is given more and more. Calcium is reasonably necessary to overcome the problem of osteoporosis, especially for people aged 50 or over.

The way it works is honey water so that the bacteria bind to a lack of water to multiply. Water activity of honey inhibits bacterial growth, and ranged from 3.2 to 4.5 pH of honey is low enough to inhibit bacterial growth in general. The main antibacterial activity in honey is related to hydrogen peroxide which is formed enzymatically. Levels of hydrogen peroxide produced is antibacterial, but not harm the body’s tissues.

Honey has sedaktif effects that can lead to sleep soundly. In the body, like sugar honey dimetabolosir causing snotonin levels ( a compound that can relieve brain activity ) in the brain that induces elevated the desire for relaxation and sleep.

Theraupeutic properties of honey as a treatment of digestive disorders, respiratory, cardiovascular, arthritis, and others. Several studies have reported that honey help cure such diseases as well as having antibacterial honey provides enough energy to accelerate healing of disease. Honey meyembuhkan arthritis, hair loss, lower cholesterol, treat coughs, overcome infertility problems, abdominal pain, weight loss, for longevity, improve the immune system, influenza, sinusitis, skin infections, acne, cancer, shortness of breath, and some other diseases.

Eggs for Health

Eggs are probably one of the most pliable and versatile ingredients known to man. They can be molded and flavored a thousand different ways from the epic hard boiled version to the deviled avatar. Eggs are also one of the most nutritious food items rich in protein and vitamins. The most commonly used eggs for cooking are those that of chickens, duck and goose. Other delicacies include quail eggs, emu eggs, pheasant eggs as well as ostrich eggs.
Compared to most other sources of animal proteins, eggs have the highest content of the necessary amino acids that make up proteins. The protein content of an egg is believed to be equivalent to almost one ounce of meat but far less in calories.
Eggs constitute a balanced diet in themselves as they have a great blend of proteins, vitamins, minerals as well as fat. Eggs are usually available round the year and can are easy to cook as well. They are power packed and yet, usually are low in calories. Chicken’s egg usually contains only around 70 calories and are one of the healthiest light eats.
Composition

The various nutrients contained in the egg is split between the egg white and the yellow yolk. The protein is in the form of the albumen of the egg white and the fat is contained in the egg yolk. The yolk is the fat capital of the egg and also contains some amount of protein.
The total fat content of the egg usually does not exceed five grams. The Mono Unsaturated Fatty Acid component is usually around the two gram mark in most regular sized eggs. The cholesterol and saturated fats in the egg yolk is rather miniscule compared to the other nutrients present in the egg as a whole. The yolk is packed with vitamins, minerals and several micro nutrients that are essential for the proper functioning of the body.
Egg yolk is a great source of essential fatty acids and the popular omega 3 fatty acid that aids in brain functioning as well as maintaining proper vision.
Eggs are a great source of amino acids, the building blocks of complex protein forms. Nine of the 23 known amino acids are considered to be essential. These amino acids are not synthesized by the body and hence have to be included in the diet. Eggs are rich in essential amino acids and are considered to be templates for measuring the protein content and quality of other food items.
The Health Benefits of Eggs

The health benefits of consuming eggs are aplenty, ranging from positive effects on the nervous system to the effects it has on the cardio vascular functioning. Eggs are easy to cook and easier to digest and can be eaten by small children as well as older persons.
Eggs and the Nerves
Eggs play a vital role in coordinating and aiding in the proper functioning of the brain and the nervous system as a whole. Eggs are very high in tryptophan, one of the essential amino acids which plays a very important role in protein bio synthesis. Tryptophan also plays a vital role in the synthesis of seratonin, an important neuro transmitter.
Eggs are a rich source of choline. Choline is produced in trace quantities by the body and hence has to be supplemented via diet. Choline is essential for proper functioning of the cell membranes and also helps in reducing chronic inflammation. Choline also plays a crucial role in neurotransmission.
Eggs Influencing Weight Loss
For all those dogged by weight gain concerns, eggs are one of the lightest and most power packed food items that come with a low calorie tab. Research has shown that regular consumption of eggs, especially during breakfast, aids in the process of weight loss.
Persons who consumed egg for breakfast reported higher percentage of weight loss in the research and were also reported to be more energetic and active. Egg consumption helped in reducing hunger pangs, cravings and is a safer and healthier snacking option.
Cholesterol Concerns – Eggs and the Heart
Eggs do have a considerable amount of fat content, but that does not interfere with the healthiness of the heart. Eggs do not increase the risk of heart attack as the amount of saturated fatty acids are miniscule.
It was generally believed that consuming egg yolk increases the cholesterol content of the blood and hence is not very healthy. Contrary to long held beliefs, research has proven that eggs help in improving a person’s lipid profile. Persons consuming eggs regularly have reported a shift in the cholesterol profile. The HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) or ‘good’ cholesterol levels were seen to increase with increased egg consumption.
Eggs also help prevent clotting of the blood thereby reducing stroke and heart attack risk. Proteins present in the egg yolk prevent the platelets from agglomerating and eases blood flow.
Eggs and Eye Sight
It may not be one of the popularly quoted health benefits of eating eggs, but, eggs have a positive effect on eye sight. Eggs help prevent certain ailments of the eye such as macular degeneration that comes with age as well as cataracts.
The carotenoid, Lutein, that prevents the above mentioned ailments is present in good amount in eggs. Spinach competes with eggs when it comes to Lutein content, but the Lutein present in the yellow egg yolk is more useful to the body as its bio availability is better than that of spinach.
Egg yolk is a rich source of carotenoids that protect vision to a great extent. Apart from lutein, studies have shown that egg yolk also consists of other carotenoids such as zeaxanthin that helps prevent macular degeneration.
Vitamins and Minerals
A wide assortment of vitamins is present in eggs. Vitamins A, B And D are present in eggs. Eggs are rich in vitamins B1 or Thiamine, B2 also known as Riboflavin, B5 and B9. Eggs are unique in a way that they are the only source of dietary Vitamin D known to man.
Apart from Tryptophan, the other essential amino acids present in eggs include Leucine, Plenylalanine, Lysine, Isoleucine and Valine. Eggs also contain the amino acid lutein, which, apart from preventing vision related ailments, also has anti oxidant properties.
Eggs also contain other minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, potassium and zinc in varying quantities, fulfilling the micro nutrient requirements of the body. The anti oxidant mineral, selenium is also present in eggs. Eggs also help keep the hair as well as nails shiny and healthy.
Raw Eggs for Health

Consuming eggs in the uncooked, raw form helps keep all the nutrients intact and works wonders on the body. Raw eggs greatly help in boosting the immune system and are as easy to digest at their cooked counterpart. By boosting immunity it helps protect the body from infections and diseases. Raw eggs are the all time favorite of persons hitting the gym, to improve stamina and assist in muscle and body building.
Raw or Cooked, Truly ‘Egg’-Septional

One of the most important positive attributes of consuming eggs is the easy availability and the convenience in cooking. Eggs are available throughout the year and can be prepared in a variety of ways without getting bored. Eggs should be made an integral part of the daily diet plan to ensure the daily fix of all the essential nutrients packed in the tiny oblong health bomb. Eggs add more value to everyday breakfast, making it more interesting and healthy.