Like many adults, I start out my day with a hefty serving of coffee. I wasn't always a coffee convert. I choked on it in high school; drank it sparingly in college; and wholeheartedly integrated it into my morning routine once I joined the working world.
In general, health experts say coffee is fine in moderation and caution against drinking too much, in order to avoid caffeine addiction and feeling extra-jittery. Coffee is usually lauded as healthier than soda and sugar-loaded juices, especially because it is made mostly of water. I knew it was filled with antioxidants, which protect against harmful molecules called free radicals that find their way into our bodies. But the notion that coffee may actually be healthy was news to me.
An article in US News Health says drinking coffee may help prevent several different health issues. The article says research has shown coffee can decrease the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes; Parkinson's disease; stroke; Alzheimer's disease; and liver and skin cancer. The article also notes that while coffee may not outwardly reduce chances, the risk of getting bladder, gastric, renal or breast cancer does not rise with coffee consumption.
There are groups of people that should be cautious about their coffee drinking, including pregnant women and those who are extra sensitive to its effects, according to the article. Those who are not used to drinking coffee may experience quick increases in blood pressure or higher risk for heart attack, although the latter notion has yet to be proven. Once coffee drinking becomes a habit, however, blood pressure levels off, and the risk for heart attack decreases, the article says.
The article quotes Rob M. van Dam, an assistant professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health, and other experts as saying the health benefits of coffee could derive from the high antioxidant and fiber content. In addition, van Dam notes that coffee's benefits may not have been prominent in the past because it was hard to disentangle the health consequences of smoking and drinking coffee, since the two activities go hand-in-hand for many people.
Van Dam has been involved in studies about the effects of coffee consumption on health issues. A study published in the research journal Annals of Internal Medicine in 2008 showed coffee intake was not associated with increased risk of mortality in men or women, after adjusting for age, smoking and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
A study in the research journal Circulation tracked coffee consumption in women from 1980 to 2004, and found drinking coffee did not increase risk for stroke, and even may have decreased the risk. Van Dam also wrote a research review in 2008 saying studies that found associations between coffee drinking and increased risk for coronary heart disease and some types of cancer were not supported by more recent research.
These potential plusses for drinking coffee aren't license to start significantly upping your fix each day. Caffeine addiction, and the symptoms of caffeine withdrawal that go along with it, is still a very real possibility. Excessive caffeine can cause people to feel restless and anxious, and have difficulty sleeping, according to the National Institutes of Health. In addition, people can have headaches or strange heart rhythms as withdrawal symptoms. To decrease these side effects, slowly reduce the amount of caffeine consumed each day. If you still want to have, for example, five cups of coffee per day, try mixing caffeinated with decaffeinated coffee.
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Showing posts with label Coffee Culture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Coffee Culture. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
The Coffee Culture
Coffee culture
by Ed Biado
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“Coffee culture” is a term used to describe the social phenomenon of coffee, and its derivatives, acting as a social lubricant. It’s an old concept that has taken a new meaning because of recent developments. Here’s what it’s all about:
1. Historically—The formation of culture around coffee dates back to the 16th century. Coffeehouses were traditionally social hubs and artistic and intellectual gathering places. They were known for slow-paced gourmet service and really relaxed and tasteful ambience.
2. Scientifically—Some studies suggest that coffee can really make drinkers more talkative and social. This is indicative that the atmosphere plays a major role in coffee culture, maybe just as much as coffee itself does.
3. Turning point—The explosion of coffee shops in Seattle, Washington, a trend mirrored throughout the United States and eventually, the rest of the world, redefined “coffee culture” as a fast-paced environment and a highly-competitive market. It’s an $11-billion industry in America alone.
4. The media connection—Coffee culture is a mainstay in many comic strips and is portrayed in multiple ways in TV and movies. The sitcom, Friends, revolved around the friends’ hangout place, Central Perk, a coffee shop. In many motion pictures, almost everyone going to work in the morning is shown with take-out latte. The film version of Bewitched even makes a coffee culture assumption, with the lead character implying that people go to coffee shops to talk about unsolvable problems.
5. Influencing Asia—The trend is quickly spreading in the eastern hemisphere. Starbucks has projected China to be the largest international market for coffee outside the United States. In the Philippines, there are more than 150 Starbucks outlets (133 are in Metro Manila), almost 30 of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf branches and many other international and local companies.
6. Consumer profile—Coffee is an age-old drink, but the main audience of modern coffee culture is mostly composed of young urban professionals who are capable of or are willing to spend more on the commercialized international chains, rather than make their own cup at home. These are highly-social individuals who frequent coffee shops more than twice a week, either to hang out or simply grab a cup to go.
7. 1001 flavors—Aside from the usual coffee concoctions like espresso, café latte, café au lait and those other Parisian favorites, coffee shops are creating more versions of coffee on a daily basis. Flavors are also seasonal, especially during Christmas when peppermint and gingerbread specials are available.
8. Hot vs cold—In places with warmer climates, cold coffee is turning out to be more popular than the traditional hot coffee. Different iced and ice-blended versions of hot coffee are regularly available. In fact, many cold drinks are not available warm, like in the case of The Coffee Bean, where The Ultimate and The Extreme are exclusively ice-blended.
9. Work and leisure—Coffee shops, although a popular social place, is also for business. It is one of the most preferred venues for informal meetings, especially among freelancers. That, in part, has led to many establishments offering free internet connections to patrons, usually through Wi-Fi.
10. Marketing aspect—As with popularity comes criticism, the coffee industry is always looking for ways to sell its product. Health benefits of coffee are constantly being studied and new ways to make it healthier are being explored (or example, green beans). Coffee is being marketed as a potent antioxidant. Soy is introduced as a milk-alternative for the lactose-intolerant and health-conscious... the list goes on.
THE SOURCE
by Ed Biado
-----------------------------------
“Coffee culture” is a term used to describe the social phenomenon of coffee, and its derivatives, acting as a social lubricant. It’s an old concept that has taken a new meaning because of recent developments. Here’s what it’s all about:
1. Historically—The formation of culture around coffee dates back to the 16th century. Coffeehouses were traditionally social hubs and artistic and intellectual gathering places. They were known for slow-paced gourmet service and really relaxed and tasteful ambience.
2. Scientifically—Some studies suggest that coffee can really make drinkers more talkative and social. This is indicative that the atmosphere plays a major role in coffee culture, maybe just as much as coffee itself does.
3. Turning point—The explosion of coffee shops in Seattle, Washington, a trend mirrored throughout the United States and eventually, the rest of the world, redefined “coffee culture” as a fast-paced environment and a highly-competitive market. It’s an $11-billion industry in America alone.
4. The media connection—Coffee culture is a mainstay in many comic strips and is portrayed in multiple ways in TV and movies. The sitcom, Friends, revolved around the friends’ hangout place, Central Perk, a coffee shop. In many motion pictures, almost everyone going to work in the morning is shown with take-out latte. The film version of Bewitched even makes a coffee culture assumption, with the lead character implying that people go to coffee shops to talk about unsolvable problems.
5. Influencing Asia—The trend is quickly spreading in the eastern hemisphere. Starbucks has projected China to be the largest international market for coffee outside the United States. In the Philippines, there are more than 150 Starbucks outlets (133 are in Metro Manila), almost 30 of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf branches and many other international and local companies.
6. Consumer profile—Coffee is an age-old drink, but the main audience of modern coffee culture is mostly composed of young urban professionals who are capable of or are willing to spend more on the commercialized international chains, rather than make their own cup at home. These are highly-social individuals who frequent coffee shops more than twice a week, either to hang out or simply grab a cup to go.
7. 1001 flavors—Aside from the usual coffee concoctions like espresso, café latte, café au lait and those other Parisian favorites, coffee shops are creating more versions of coffee on a daily basis. Flavors are also seasonal, especially during Christmas when peppermint and gingerbread specials are available.
8. Hot vs cold—In places with warmer climates, cold coffee is turning out to be more popular than the traditional hot coffee. Different iced and ice-blended versions of hot coffee are regularly available. In fact, many cold drinks are not available warm, like in the case of The Coffee Bean, where The Ultimate and The Extreme are exclusively ice-blended.
9. Work and leisure—Coffee shops, although a popular social place, is also for business. It is one of the most preferred venues for informal meetings, especially among freelancers. That, in part, has led to many establishments offering free internet connections to patrons, usually through Wi-Fi.
10. Marketing aspect—As with popularity comes criticism, the coffee industry is always looking for ways to sell its product. Health benefits of coffee are constantly being studied and new ways to make it healthier are being explored (or example, green beans). Coffee is being marketed as a potent antioxidant. Soy is introduced as a milk-alternative for the lactose-intolerant and health-conscious... the list goes on.
THE SOURCE
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