| Coffee, and the pros and cons of drinking it will | | | | people have this disease and it is growing all over the |
| continue to be a debate. Many people believe that | | | | world in epidemic proportions. The largest study of the |
| coffee is safe and even beneficial when drank in | | | | connection of coffee with a reduction in risk of |
| moderation. Others feel strongly that coffee can be | | | | developing diabetes was conducted in Finland. The |
| harmful, especially when drank by children. Who is | | | | people of Finland consume more coffee than people |
| right? The controversy over coffee and its effects | | | | anywhere in the world. This study in Finland involved |
| may go on forever. | | | | more than 14,000 people. The risk of developing |
| There are many groups who make it their full time job | | | | diabetes was shown to be reduced by drinking coffee |
| to study coffee. One group is the Institute for Coffee | | | | - but only in people who drank at least 5-6 cups each |
| Studies at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. This | | | | day. It had to do with the chlorogenic acids found in |
| institute is located in Nashville, Tennessee in the United | | | | coffee. These acids inhibit enzymes that form glucose |
| States. They study coffee and caffeine and how it | | | | in the small intestines. |
| may be beneficial or harmful to humans. They present | | | | Another concern with drinking large amounts of coffee |
| their research findings in medical journals and at | | | | is that the body may not be able to absorb enough |
| conferences, such as the one held in London called the | | | | calcium. Coffee is a diuretic so calcium and other |
| World Coffee Conference. | | | | necessary minerals are quickly eliminated from the |
| They have released information that shows coffee to | | | | body if you take in too much caffeine, whether it is |
| have a "significant presence of antioxidants". An | | | | from coffee or another source. |
| antioxidant is any substance that reduces damage | | | | So what is the answer? Maybe coffee should be |
| caused by oxygen in our bloodstream. This oxidation | | | | added to the list of things that we should do in |
| modifies chemical structures in our body and can lead | | | | moderation. It appears that both the positive and |
| to serious illness and disease in our bodies. If it can be | | | | negative effects are only found in cases where an |
| proven that the hundreds of compounds found in | | | | excessive amount of caffeine is consumed. So if you |
| coffee beans could actually be helpful in preventing | | | | enjoy having a cup or two of coffee don't let this |
| disease then we would all be interested in drinking | | | | information stop you. Always conduct your own |
| more coffee. More studies will need to be done before | | | | research by seeing how your body reacts to foods |
| we will know for sure the full impact of this study. | | | | and environmental conditions. You are the best judge |
| Coffee is also linked with reducing the risk of Type 2 | | | | of what you should be doing on a daily basis. |
| diabetes, the most common diabetes. About 170 million | | | | |