Coffee….Is it good or bad?

Coffee, coffee, coffee….Energizing, exhilarating and stimulating.  All properties of an amazing drink in one small sweet or bitter (depending on how you take it) cuppa.  Yet, is it really that good for you?  Can it really energize/re-energize you?  YES and NO!  Coffee goes as far back as the 13^th century and legend states that it was first discovered by the Yemenite Sufi mystic Ghothul Akbar Nooruddin Abu al-Hasan al-Shadhili who at the time was travelling in Ethiopia he observed birds of unusual vitality, and, upon trying the berries that the birds had been eating, experienced the same vitality.  From then, according to the ancient chronicle (preserved in the Abd-Al-Kadir manuscript), Omar, who was known for his ability to cure the sick through prayer, was once exiled from Mocha to a desert cave near Ousab. Starving, Omar chewed berries from nearby shrubbery, but found them to be bitter. He tried roasting the beans to improve the flavor, but they became hard. He then tried boiling them to soften the bean, which resulted in a fragrant brown liquid. Upon drinking the liquid Omar was revitalized and sustained for days.  As stories of this “miracle drug” reached Mocha, Omar was asked to return and was made a saint.  Fast forward….. Today, coffee is one of the most consumed beverages worldwide.  It comes in second place to oil and is worth over $100 Billion.  That puts it ahead of commodities like natural gas, gold, brent oil, sugar and corn.  We drink over 500 billion cups per year!  If it seems like there are coffee shops popping up everywhere around you, you might be right — coffee shops have a seven percent annual growth rate. Starbucks, by far America’s coffee giant, is the third largest restaurant chain in the U.S.  So, why is it so popular, and is it good for us?  Are there any side effects?  Well, coffee can improve energy levels and make you smarter.  Coffee can help people feel less tired and increase energy levels.  This is because it contains caffeine, which is actually the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance in the world.  After you drink coffee, the caffeine is absorbed into the bloodstream and from there, it travels into the brain.  Once in the brain, caffeine blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter called adenosine and when that happens, the amount of other neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine actually increases, leading to enhanced firing of neurons.  Many controlled trials in humans show that coffee improves various aspects of brain function. This includes memory, mood, vigilance, energy levels, reaction times and general cognitive function.  Bottom Line: Caffeine blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, which leads to a stimulant effect. This improves energy levels, mood and various aspects of brain function.  Bottoms up!!  Coffee can help you burn fat, it can help improve physical performance, it’s full of essential nutrients like; Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): 11% of the RDA, Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5): 6% of the RDA, Manganese and Potassium: 3% of the RDA, Magnesium and Niacin (B3): 2% of the RDA.  It may lower your risk of type II diabetes, it could protect you from Alzheimer’s disease, it could lower your risk of Parkinson’s disease, it can fight against depression, it could lower your risk of some cancers, it may lower your risk of stroke, it may help you live longer, and lastly, it is the biggest source of antioxidants in the western diet.  For people who eat a standard Western diet, coffee may actually be the healthiest aspect of the diet.  That’s because coffee contains a hefty amount of antioxidants.  In fact, studies show that most people get more antioxidants from coffee than both fruits and vegetables… combined.  Coffee is known as one of the healthiest beverages on the planet.  Period.  Really?  Does this sound too good to be true!  With all things consumed moderation is key!  Although extremely rare a 100+ cups a day will kill you, it can increase blood pressure in those who are already suffering from hypertension, it can cause insomnia, heart palpitations, headaches, incontinence, indigestion, gout, allergic reactions, and adrenal fatigue, hallucinations, accelerated bone loss and can cause tremors.  Caffeine is a drug and can affect people differently just like any other substance. It’s important that consumers understand how caffeine interacts with their bodies in regards to their personal health histories.  The risks of suffering from any of the harmful effects of caffeine are diminished by being aware of how much is personally being consumed daily.  Coffee is a part of our lives, drink as you would drink any drink.  Making smart decisions is part of being healthy and a conscious consumer.   Take everything with a grain of salt and enjoy life, that’s the most important thing!

Nutrition Facts