The Many Health Benefits of Drinking Coffee

Coffee is a commonly discussed and disputed topic. The views on it are mixed. Some say go ahead and enjoy your jolt of java because it is good for you while others say forgo it in favor of tea. Let us look upon coffee in a positive light here and explore its health benefits.

Many of the health benefits that surround coffee are connected with consuming approximately two to four (eight ounce) cups per day. This tends to be the amount that most Americans drink on a daily basis.

Good for the Brain:

Coffee drinking has been found to be good for the brain – in moderate quantities that is. Drinking between one and five cups of coffee on a daily basis may help to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and Parkinson’s disease, according to various studies that have been conducted.

This sounds like a tall order for a hot beverage. How can this be the case?

Coffee contains antioxidants that may prevent a certain amount of damage occurring to the cells of the brain. According to experts in this area it also boosts the effects of neurotransmitters that are required for cognitive function. There are some new studies that suggest that as the consumption of coffee or tea goes up, the incidence of a form of brain cancer called glioma goes down.

Scientists speculate that there are compounds found in the brews of both coffee and tea that activate a DNA-repairing protein in cells. This in turn prevents damage to the DNA that can turn healthy cells into cancerous cells.

Reduce Risk of Diabetes:

Research studies have found that the frequent consumption of coffee, which would be four to five cups or more on a daily basis, is associated with a reduced risk of acquiring type two diabetes.

It is hypothesized that the antioxidant compounds in the hot beverage, which are quinides and cholorogenic acid, may increase the sensitivity of cells to insulin which helps to regulate blood sugar. It is not clear whether caffeinated or decaffeinated makes a high difference in this case but some studies suggest that decaffeinated may be the superior choice in this regard because caffeine has a tendency to lessen the boost found between insulin and sensitivity.

Good for the Heart:

Coffee may be heart-healthy but once again, this only works for moderate consumption.

Some research studies have proven that moderate coffee drinkers- which is to say, those who drink one to three cups per day – have lower rates of stroke than those who do not drink coffee at all. It is theorized that the antioxidants in the brew may play a role in suppressing the damaging effects that inflammation can cause to the arteries. It has also been theorized that these compounds may support the work of nitric oxide, which is a substance that widens blood vessels. By so doing it lowers blood pressure.

This does not mean that the more coffee you drink the healthier your heart will be. You can go overboard and take things to the opposite extreme by over consuming coffee.

You may like java but you do not want to drink more than five cup per day. This habit has been linked to higher risks of developing heart disease.  Medical researchers also believe that excessive caffeine can sabotage the work that the antioxidants perform.

Good for the Liver:

There is evidence that points to the fact that coffee can be of help to the liver. The research on this is limited at the present time but it does appear from what is known so far that those who drink coffee are less likely to develop cirrhosis as well as other types of liver diseases.

The initial findings point to the belief that caffeine, the antioxidant chlorogenic and caffeic acids may help to inhibit cancer cells and prevent inflammation from building in the liver.

Becca

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Insulin and Leptin Resistance- Information Worth Knowing!

If you are trying to lose weight but are not succeeding and are feeling discouraged then either insulin resistance or leptin resistance could be to blame.

Both of these health syndromes can impede your ability to shed unwanted pounds. If you are struggling to lose weight or to control your weight then for you weight loss assistance may take the form of modifying your diet, adding more exercise to your routine and taking certain medications in order to combat insulin resistance.

Leptin resistance can be overcome with adequate exercise. While increasing the amount you exercise does not work for long-term weight loss, a proper diet and a greater level of physical activity can serve to correct a problem with leptin levels.

Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance is a health condition in which the body creates insulin but is not able to use it in the proper manner. Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the pancreas. It works with the body to use glucose for energy. Glucose is a type of sugar that is the body’s primary source of energy. Insulin supports the body into turning glucose into fat. It then makes it possible for the fat from the cells to be blocked from being released into the bloodstream.

For various reasons the body may become less sensitive to its own level of insulin which causes more fat to be produced. It also makes it more difficult to lose and/or control weight.

To combat this problem dietary modifications are in order. A diet that is low in sugar and low in carbohydrates will keep blood sugar levels where they were supposed to be. Exercising on a regular basis will increase insulin sensitivity. This makes the body’s insulin that much more effective. In some instances a physician may suggest that a patient take medication in order to lower their blood glucose levels.

Leptin Resistance

Obesity has been connected to low levels of a hormone called leptin.

Leptin resistance is when the wrong signals are sent to the brain. In other words, low levels of leptin send a message to the brain that the body is not full. A person who has a low leptin level never feels satiated, no matter how much food they consume. This leads to binge eating, emotional eating and difficulties losing weight. What happens is that the hormone stops doing what it is supposed to do and it transmits a message to the brain to eat more and more food.

If you have never heard of leptin before then you need to know that it is a hormone that is responsible for controlling energy levels.

Leptin suppresses appetite, regulates body temperature and increases energy in the body. Leptin is associated with body fat. It tells the brain how much energy the body has and how much it requires. When you know that you are full or are still hungry that is the leptin doing its job.

Researchers have discovered that a proper diet and regular exercise have the greatest effects on reversing the damage done by leptin resistance. Low carbohydrate and high protein diets are beneficial as is a diet that contains good fats. This can facilitate weight loss and help to fight leptin resistance.

Snacking as little as possible is recommended as is eating three nutritious well-balanced meals throughout the day. Eating plenty of protein with every meal can help to control cravings as well as to regulate blood sugar.

Samantha

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