written and researched by Heather (published in issue 52 Renaissance Magazine)
I'm a coffee drinker. Why? Because I just can't resist a fragrant cup of coffee. And because I am going to continue drinking coffee no matter what the news tells me about caffeine and coffee, I considered a thought. What in coffee is good for me? I thought that would interest you.
(1) Some good news is that coffee consumption protects our lymphocytes against DNA damage. In fact daily consumption of 600 ml of coffee increased protection by up to 35%. What does this mean? It means that coffee is a free radical scavenger, making it an antioxidant. After coffee consumption the activity of glutathione peroxidase increased by 38%. This particular study hinted at the fact that this makes coffee a better antioxidant for DNA induced damage than a diet high in fruits and vegetables. And you thought coffee was bad for you didn't you? (Wink).
We all should know by now that carcinogens are a primary cause for cancer. (2) A fabulous study conducted in Vienna reveals that coffee has chemoprotective action by inducing DNA repair enzymes. In fact what it does is detoxify our DNA of reactive metabolites of *PhIP. This is good news. I know it all sounds a bit technical, but this makes coffee very good for us as it protects us from harmful carcinogens which can cause cancer. (3) Because coffee contains chlorogenic acids and lignans, it improves glucose metabolism. This has been linked to coffee being a source recommended to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes. (4) The caffeine in coffee acutely lowers insulin sensitivity and the more coffee consumed, the lower the risk for type 2 diabetes. Isn't it great to know that regularly drinking coffee has health benefits! And now you're thinking, oh no, I drink decaffeinated coffee. This study revealed that both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee has these health benefits. (5) Even better from a diabetic perspective, is that individuals with known impaired glucose tolerance also benefited from drinking coffee.
I know that I am not the only person to receive the lecture about the caffeine levels in coffee compared to tea. (6) Well here's a news flash for tea drinkers, caffeine only constitutes 1 - 2 % of roasted coffee beans compared to 3.5 % in tea leaves. This makes coffee safer than tea from a caffeine perspective. (7) There is more good news about coffee. In the past, tests were conducted on mice and rats to determine whether or not caffeine and coffee caused birth defects and affected developing infants through breast milk. The original studies conducted forgot to mention that the ratio fed to the test subjects was much higher than a human ingesting 7 cups of coffee a day! Meaning that of course at such high dosages, the coffee would have a detrimental affect. The good news is that new studies have revealed that coffee does not change the maternal milk composition, but in fact it even stimulates milk flow! Furthermore, coffee or caffeine consumption during gestation does not have any measurable consequences on the fetus or the newborn. However this study suggests that pregnant women should moderate their coffee intake to 3 cups a day, particularly in the third trimester. (8) More good news for lactating Mum's is that a study was conducted to determine whether or not Mom's coffee intake disrupted the sleep pattern of the newborn. The reasoning was that coffee is a stimulant and keeps us awake. However the results revealed that even when the lactating Mum's were given an increase in caffeine in their coffee, no caffeine was measured in the breast milk. Thus a lactating mother's coffee consumption shall in no way affect the heart rate or sleep time of the infant.
Now as for those of us of the feminine gender, ahem, yes we're known for our grumpiness. Well I recommend you have a nice cup of coffee with milk. (9) A study conducted revealed that both the caffeine and milk in coffee improved moods and reduced anxiety for up to an hour after consumption. (10) Another study was conducted to determine if caffeinol (ethanol plus caffeine) could be used to treat ischemic strokes. The results revealed that three cups of strong coffee a day (and a cocktail for the alcohol portion) had a consistently neuro-protective affect. It was also effective in reducing cortical infarct volume and behavioral dysfunction in the test subjects. Unfortunately for people whom regularly consume high levels of alcohol, this treatment is not as effective.
I must admit I'm feeling a little smug. You may wonder why. I drink coffee as my beverage of preference, and never suffer from that female complaint of a "urinary tract infection". And now I know why. (11) Drinking coffee rapidly increases urinary levels of H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) for up to two hours after drinking it. H2O2 in the urine acts as an antibacterial agent and regulates glomerular (kidney) function. (12) There also appears to be a misconception that coffee causes heartburn. A study on this subject revealed that coffee does not cause heartburn or acid reflux, and that if this is experienced after drinking coffee, it is because the person already suffers from acid reflux, concluding that this reaction is most likely the effect of pressure from a previous meal on the lower esophageal sphincter. Another misconception is that coffee contributes to cardiovascular diseases. So let's put the record straight on that one too. (13) Contrary to popular belief, there is little evidence to suggest that coffee or caffeine, when consumed in typical daily dosages, in any way increases the risk of sudden death, arrhythmia or infarction.
And the good news keeps getting better. (14) Men who regularly consume coffee have a much lower rate of colon cancer! And if you prefer the strong Turkish coffee, you're even better off! This makes coffee a potent anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic. Getting a bit technical again (health professionals will appreciate it), The Kahweol and Cafestol (K/C) in coffee offers chemo-protection due to modifications of xenobiotic metabolism. For example it enhanced detoxification by UDP-glucuronosyltransferase. Turkish coffee modifies the expression level of the DNA repair protein MGMT (O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase) which is involved in the reversal of the precarcinogenic DNA damage O(6)-alkylguanine induced by alkylating agents. The K/C increased hepatic MGMT up to 16%. In the liver they also found an increase of up to 30% of GST (glutathione transferase) parameters.
(15) If you know your coffees, you'll also know there is a difference in taste according to roasting. The stronger the roast is, the more antioxidant protection you receive from your coffee. And now it begins to get really interesting. (16) Coffee arabica and C. robusta (in english this means Brazilian coffee), has antimicrobial activity against certain human pathogens such as salmonella choleraesuis (CBMAI 484), Staphylococcus aureus (CBMAI 485), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CBMAI 489) and E.coli strains, resulting in the coffee having potential as an antimicrobial. (17) Cappuccino coffee was studied on its effect on xerostomia (cotton mouth / dry mouth). Xerostomia decreased, speech improved and saliva increased for up to two hours following the cappuccino. And just for good measure, (18) coffee inhibits intestinal carcinogenesis and colorectal cancer.
Now I can have my coffee with a smile and with satisfaction. But how can we say all of this about coffee without examining what type of nutrition it contains. (19) Granulated coffee contains 18 amino acids (everything from tryptophan to proline), Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and the minerals calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium (26.5mg), sodium and selenium. However a cup of espresso includes vitamin C, niacin folate, a lot more omega 6 fatty acids and a lot more magnesium.
In closing, I must share this with you. (20) Filtering your coffee with a drip coffee maker, removes up to 85% of copper and lead from your tap water. I could go on and on, the research on coffee could fill an entire book, but I was pleasantly surprised at how the positive articles on coffee research far outweigh the few negative. Right, anyone for coffee?
References: 1. Food Chem Toxicol. 2007 Feb 12; Coffee consumption protects human lymphocytes against oxidative and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole acetate (Trp-P-2) induced DNA-damage: Results of an experimental study with human volunteers. Bichler J, Cavin C, Simic T, Chakraborty A, Ferk F, Hoelzl C, Schulte-Hermann R, Kundi M, Haidinger G, Angelis K, Knasmuller S. Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
2. Food Chem Toxicol. 2007 Feb 12 Coffee consumption protects human lymphocytes against oxidative and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole acetate (Trp-P-2) induced DNA-damage: Results of an experimental study with human volunteers. Bichler J, Cavin C, Simic T, Chakraborty A, Ferk F, Hoelzl C, Schulte-Hermann R, Kundi M, Haidinger G, Angelis K, Knasmuller S. Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
3. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2006 Jan;16(1):69-77. Epub 2005 Dec 13 Coffee and type 2 diabetes: from beans to beta-cells. van Dam RM. Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 2, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
4. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2006 Aug 19;150(33):1821-5 [Coffee consumption and the decreased risk of diabetes mellitus type 2] van Dam RM. Harvard School of Public Health, Department of Nutrition, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 2, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
5. Diabetes Care. 2006 Nov;29(11):2385-90 Does coffee consumption reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in individuals with impaired glucose? Smith B, Wingard DL, Smith TC, Kritz-Silverstein D, Barrett-Connor E. Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr. 0607, La Jolla, CA 92093-0607, USA.
6. Teratology. 2001 Jul;64(1):51-78 Teratogen update: evaluation of the reproductive and developmental risks of caffeine. Christian MS, Brent RL. Argus International and Argus Research Laboratories, Horsham, Pennsylvania 19044, USA.
7. J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris). 1994;23(3):241-56. [Effects of coffee and caffeine on fertility, reproduction, lactation, and development. Review of human and animal data] Nehlig A, Debry G. INSERM U 272, Universite de Nancy I.
8. Dev Pharmacol Ther. 1985;8(6):355-63. Effect of maternal caffeine consumption on heart rate and sleep time of breast-fed infants. Ryu JE.
9. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1997 Nov;134(2):164-73. Effects of hot tea, coffee and water ingestion on physiological responses and mood: the role of caffeine, water and beverage type. Quinlan P, Lane J, Aspinall L.
10. Stroke. 2003 May;34(5):1246-51. Epub 2003 Apr 10 Ethanol plus caffeine (caffeinol) for treatment of ischemic stroke: preclinical experience. Aronowski J, Strong R, Shirzadi A, Grotta JC. Stroke Program, Department of Neurology, University of Texas at Houston Medical School, Houston, 77030, USA.
11. Coffee drinking increases levels of urinary hydrogen peroxide detected in healthy human volunteers Journal: Free Radical Research Issue:Volume 32, Number 5/2000 Pages 463-467 Authors Lee Hua Long, Barry Halliwell
12. Digestion. 1981;21(2):69-73 Effect of coffee on human lower oesophageal function. Salmon PR, Fedail SS, Wurzner HP, Harvey RF, Read AE. 13. Comp Biochem Physiol C Pharmacol Toxicol Endocrinol. 1994 Oct;109(2):173-89. Caffeine and coffee: effects on health and cardiovascular disease. Chou TM, Benowitz NL. Cardiology Division, Moffitt-Long Hospitals, University of California, San Francisco 94143-1220.
14. Coffee and its chemopreventive components Kahweol and Cafestol increase the activity of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase in rat liver--comparison with phase II xenobiotic metabolism. Huber WW, Scharf G, Nagel G, Prustomersky S, Schulte-Hermann R, Kaina B. Institut fur Krebsforschung, University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8A, Vienna A-1090, Austria.
15. J. Agric. Food Chem., 48 (5), 1449 -1454, 2000. 10.1021/jf990510g S0021-8561(99)00510-5 In Vitro Antioxidant and ex Vivo Protective Activities of Green and Roasted Coffee Maria Daglia, Adele Papetti, Cesarina Gregotti, Francantonio Bertè, and Gabriella Gazzani* Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy, and Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pavia, Piazza Botta 10, 27100 Pavia, Italy
16. L. D. Sette1 , M. R. Z. Passarini1, C. Delarmelina2, F. Salati2 and M. C. T. Duarte2 (1) Brazilian Collection of Environmental and Industrial Microorganisms (CBMAI), Microbial Resource Division, CPQBA/UNICAMP, CP 6171, Campinas, SP, CEP 13081-970, Brazil (2) Microbiology Division, CPQBA/UNICAMP, CP 6171, Campinas, SP, CEP 13081-970, Brazil
17. Przegl Lek. 2002;59(4-5):392-3 [Cappuccino coffee treatment of xerostomia in patients taking tricyclic antidepressants: preliminary report]
18. BioFactors Volume 12, Numbers 1-4 / 2000 Pages: 101 - 105 Chemopreventive effects of coffee bean and rice constituents on colorectal carcinogenesis Hideki Mori A1, Kunihiro Kawabata A1, Kengo Matsunaga A1, Jun Ushida A1, Keiko Fujii A1, Akira Hara A1, Takuji Tanaka A2, Hiromichi Murai A3
19. NutritionData.com 20. Volume 108 / Number 7 / Environmental Health Perspectives. April 2000 issus of Human and Ecological risk Assessment. Herbert E Allen, University of Delaware, Newark H.E. Allen, C. Impellitterri, M. Mclaughlin Soils Division Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Adelaide