Caffeine is a methylxanthine and known to have anti-inflammatory properties. It has both positive and negative effects.
People are increasingly aware of the side-effects of caffeine – but do you know the volume of the drug you are drinking in your favourite beverages?
When looking at whether coffee is good for you or not, you really have to take into account what form of coffee you are drinking:
1. Is it organic coffee? Coffee beans are one of the most sprayed crops in the world. The oily coffee bean is very effective at absorbing and holding on to those toxic pesticides and herbicides all the way to your cup. By choosing organic coffee you ensure not only a less toxic product, but organic foods contain higher levels of healthy nutrients as well. Drinking coffee that is full of chemicals that are detrimental to your liver and nervous system would drastically change the outcome of the study.
2. What is the coffee being consumed in? Drinking just one cup of joe out of a styrofoam cup increases the blood concentration of styrene by 1000 fold. This increases the toxic load on the body. Now do that 4-6 times per day and you are definitely going to notice a different effect on your health over time.
3. BPA and plasticizers. Coffee makers that are made of plastics can leach compounds like BPA and other plasticizers into your coffee which can impact your overall health and increase your risk of diabetes and cancer.
4. Is it filtered or un-filtered. One of the biggest arguments against coffee is the ability of compounds in the oil called di-terpense to up regulate the production of LDL cholesterol. The US health system is at war with cholesterol and so this is seen as an inherent health risk. The impact of this is much greater in unfiltered coffee like a french press, or those using a permanent metal filter. The paper filters absorb a large portion of the oil from the coffee beans before they make it to your cup, minimizing this effect.
5. Bleached or un-bleached filters? Coffee filters can contain high amounts of chlorine and other chemicals that will run into your coffee as it is brewed. Elevated chlorine levels can cause liver problems and deplete your body of antioxidants and detoxifying compounds.
6. What are people putting in the coffee? Fructose from sugar is the most important thing to control when looking at managing triglycerides. Low fat creamers and artificial sweeteners can cause other issues with insulin and blood glucose levels as well.
7. When is coffee being consumed? Having caffeine to late in the day can effect sleep and cortisol rhythm which can then lead to increases in metabolic x and fatigue syndrome.
2. What is the coffee being consumed in? Drinking just one cup of joe out of a styrofoam cup increases the blood concentration of styrene by 1000 fold. This increases the toxic load on the body. Now do that 4-6 times per day and you are definitely going to notice a different effect on your health over time.
