The Pros and Cons of Drinking Coffee

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Coffee is great and the hoard of Starbucks receipts you could find in my purse at any given time would not argue that fact. But, for as good as coffee is, it has also been getting pretty mixed signals for the health world. Sure, the sugars, creamers, and flavors that are just more sugar are not great- Well, actually, they are quite bad- but, what about coffee itself. If you are one of those highly disciplined people out there who never touches a Starbucks drive-thru or coffee creamer with a 10-foot pole, there is a pretty good chance you are doing quite well since most of the pros for coffee are when it is in it's purest form. 

Go ahead, give yourself a pat on the back all you black coffee drinkers. Now, go on and read the good, bad, and ugly of that cup of jo.

Brain Health

Pros

One of the biggest, and best, pros to drinking coffee is the brain health that comes along with it. Researchers from some of the leading Universities have found that coffee increases memory retention and also decreases our risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. This is because, like all plants, coffee has phytonutrients and antioxidants that fight free radicals in our body. Free radicals are the things that reduce cell production and harm our DNA and include UV rays, carcinogens, and even the air we breathe.

What is even more incredible is that coffee has been found to actually repair damage to our DNA. This means that our DNA has fewer errors in reproduction and stays longer for longer (all about those telomeres). Keeping our DNA healthy also goes a long way for reducing our risk of cancer. Specifically, coffee helps reduce the risk of brain cancers.

Heart Health

Pros

The antioxidants found in coffee are not just for the brain. Turn's out, that they also reduce inflammation in our arteries and can lower our blood pressure. Both of these being extremely great for that ticker. The reduction of swelling in the arteries decreases one's risk of a stroke. the Nitric oxide found in coffee may also increase the diameter of arteries, lowering blood pressure and the risk of heart disease.

Cons

With all these great pro's, the only con to drinking coffee for a healthy heart is the caffeine. The caffeine found in coffee regular will actually negate the health benefits, making it a "con" instead of a "pro". Caffeine in coffee can also caused increased heart rhythms and an abnormal heart beat.  If heart health is on your mind, switch that caffeinated coffee out for the decaf variety.

Diabetes and Weight

Pros

That's right, coffee reduces our risk of Type II Diabetes. Researchers have found that those who drink 4-6 cups of coffee (decaf or regular) reduce their risk of diabetes by, up to, 30%. Those that drink more than 6 cups per day reduce their risks by a whopping 35%. This crazy decrease may be due to the antioxidant compounds cholorogenic acid and quinides found in coffee that reduce cell's sensitivity to insulin and help regulate sugar levels.

Cons

Unfortunately, this benefit is mainly found in the decaffeinated version since caffeine increases insulin sensitivity. The sugar high that you get from caffeinated coffee will also adversely effect most people's diets when they get to that sugar crash. This is because most people will reach for something high in fats and carbs to even out their blood sugar levels once more.

Weight gain can also be associated with coffee. New research has found a correlation with coffee drinking and an increased sweet tooth. This may be because of chemical reactions in our body, or simply because, as a society, we associate coffee with sweets.

Aging

Cons

Drinking too much coffee can dehydrate the body, causing premature aging of the skin. If you are wanting to drink your usual coffee, it is best to drink it with a cup of water on the side. This will also decrease the headaches that some associate with their morning cup of jo since most coffee related headaches are a symptom of dehydration.

Cholesterol and Your Liver

Pros

Well, this is a mixed bag if I ever saw one. Turns out that caffeinated coffee might just lower your risk of liver cancers by, up to, 43%. Just like it worked in our brains and arteries, coffee limits swelling and inflammation in the liver, thus reducing the risks of many liver diseases. Likewise, caffeine may help inhibit cancer cells from forming.

Cons

Now, for the mixed part of this bag. Unfiltered and boiled coffees increases the LDL or bad cholesterol found in our blood. This is especially evident in French presses and Turkish coffee makers that do not filter the coffee first. To decrease the LDL increasing properties, opt out of non-filtered options and get a drip filter coffee maker instead. It may not be quite as good (so true), but you won't be increasing your cholesterol with each cup.

Energy

Pros

Ready? Caffeine makes you more awake. Bam. Mind blown.

Not quite. Caffeine keeping you awake may not be such a mind blowing idea, but it sure can be a pro in a pinch. There are many people out in our world that rely on that morning cup of jo for their eyes to open and their foggy brains to clear.

Cons

The only bad thing about this increased energy is when it gets in the way of when we need to sleep. Coffee can increase your risk of insomnia since the brain is wired and simply cannot turn off. Everyone reacts differently to caffeine, but it is best to not drink coffee within 6-hours of hitting the hay. Even if you have an easy time falling asleep, your sleep will not be as deep or rejuvenate you quite as well with caffeine in your system.

As our bodies become more accustomed to the effects of caffeine, we will also begin to need more to feel the effects. This can be a not-so-great addiction that will only increase over time and decrease the proper sleep we need to be getting.

Pesticides

Because of all the places coffee comes from, it is one of the most pesticide laden foods we can get. Pesticides in coffee are absorbed into our bodies when we drink it. And, they are not easily gotten rid of. To reduce your pesticide intake (which can lead to multiple diseases including different forms of cancer), opt for the organic option. The coffee industry is pretty strict on what makes coffee organic. This means that you can feel at ease knowing your organic coffee does not contain harmful chemicals.

Here is my favorite organic coffee brand :)

Spirulina, The Benefits, and How to Use It

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If you have not heard of spirulina (which I had not until a few weeks ago), it is a blue-green algae, or, cyanobacteria that can be taken as a health food supplement in either powder, tablet, or flake form. Spirulina is extremely high in protein, making up nearly 65% and a great source of vitamins and nutrients. In fact, the daily dose of spirulina (2,000-3,000 milligrams taken in 500 mg doses) has about 15% our daily intake of vitamin A, 45% our daily intake of potassium, 10 calories, 1 gram carbohydrates, 0.25 grams of fat, and 2 grams of protein. Spirulina is also high in beta-carotene, chlorophyll, calcium (26 times what is found in milk), gamma linolenic acid (an essential fatty acid), zinc, copper, vitamin E, vitamin B-complex, and is a complete source of protein.

Researchers from the University of Maryland Medical Center have found that spirulina has many benefits in test tube and animal studies, although no tests have been done on humans. Some of these benefits that may transfer to humans include:

• Immune Support: Spirulina increases the number of antibodies found in the immune system along with infection-fighting proteins.
• Anti-cancer Properties because of the immune support
• Detoxifies the Body: Chlorophyll helps remove toxins from our blood.
• Reduces Allergic Reactions: Spirulina stops the release of histamines that cause runny noses and eyes along with itching skin, eyes, and throat.
• A Protein Supplement
• Anti-infectious: Spirulina may aid against herpes, HIV, and the flu.
• Improve Oral Health: This is for two reasons, the first is that spirulina has high amounts of phosphorous that reduce enamel decay. The second is that it may help reduce oral cancer.
• A Probiotic: Spirulina boosts the production of probiotics in the body.

Blue-green algae, in nature, can easily bind to other metals and toxic substances. Be sure to get a good quality spirulina from a trusted source to avoid health risks. I have heard very good things about Mountain Rose Herbs.

How to Use It

Spirulina can be taken in tablet form, or, as a powder mixed into drinks. It is recommended to take 2,000-3,000 milligrams of spirulina in 500 mg doses daily. You can mix spirulina into most baked goods, oils for salads, and almost anything else. One of my favorites is in smoothies. Here are a few great smoothies that use spirulina.

1. Spirulina and Kale Smoothie
2. High Protein Spirulina Smoothie
3. Mango and Coconut Smoothie
4. Spinach and Spirulina Smoothie

Matcha, The Benefits, and How to Use It

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Matcha green tee powder is getting a lot of buzz in the health and fitness world right now. This powder, as it's name implies, is a ground green tea powder from a special green tea growth and harvest process. Because of this special process both before and after the tea is harvested, matcha has extremely high levels of chlorophyll and amino acids. In fact, matcha green tea has over 20 times more amino acids than it's super food counterparts such as blueberries, pomegranates, spinach, dark chocolate or orange juice. And, as much as 127 times the antioxidants of green tea. This greater antioxidant level is mainly because you are ingesting the entire green tea leaf rather than the steeped form found in green tea.

5 Benefits of Matcha

• Reduces the Risks of Cancer: This high concentration of antioxidants, specifically the antioxidant EGCG, has health benefits that go beyond your usual pot of green tea. EGCG is considered an anti-carcinogen that may help reduce our risks of cancer.
• Anti-Anxiety: Matcha is also high in the amino acid L-theanine that is required for healthy brain function. L-theanine is known to help reduce anxiety in the brain by increasing alpha wave activity. Researchers have found this to help calm the mind and bring mental clarity.
• Detoxifies the Body: Matcha is high in chlorophyll. Chlorophyll increases oxygen levels and binds with toxins to help remove them from the body. It has also been found to reduce the risk of cancer and the effects of radiation.
• Anti-Aging: Like anything with extremely high levels of antioxidants, matcha helps reduce aging by fighting free radicals. Free radicals are one of the main causes of aging and high levels of antioxidants reduce them in our body.
• Helps with Weight Loss: Green tea helps increase thermogenesis, thus helping us burn more calories. A recent study has also shown that drinking matcha before a workout could burn up to 25% more fat while exercising.

How to Use It

Matcha powder can be purchased at almost any health food store, or ordered through Amazon Prime. Since I am on the steady road to becoming a hermit, Amazon Prime is my prefered method. Once you get your matcha, you can use it in quite a few ways and may be eating it already without knowing it. Although matcha was created in China, it is now commonly used in Japanese cuisine for soba noodles, green tea ice cream, and mochi. Here are a few other ways I will be using it this month.

Teas

Of course, you can make matcha into a green tea. For this, just boil some water and add it to a cup with one tablespoon of matcha green tea. Wisk, and add any other flavorings you wish. Here is a great matcha and ginger tea recipe!

Smoothies

Matcha can be added to any smoothie for an extra bit of antioxidants, amino acids, and protein. Here are five great smoothie recipes that uses matcha, along with some of delicious things!

Baked Goods

Matcha can be added to, what seems like, any baked good there is. Pancakes, yes. tiramisu, you got it. But what is really interesting me is this rice krispie matcha recipe. Yes, please!

Pros and Cons of Omega-6 Fatty Acids

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A few short weeks ago I wrote an article outlining which was better for us, olive oil or grape seed oil. The results very much surprised me, especially since one of grape seed oil's downfalls was the high amounts of omega-6 fatty acids found per serving. A healthy oil should average a 4:1 (or lower) ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. Grape seed oil has 75 times the amount of omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3. Of course, this makes not eating grape seed oil a no-brainer, but what has not made sense to me is why omega-6 fatty acids are so bad for us. It has always been my understanding that omega-6 and omega-3 acids are needed for healthy organ, brain, and joint function- turns out, this is not exactly true.

Pros

Like omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids are an unsaturated fatty acid that the body cannot create on it's own. Because of this, it is important that we get enough omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids through our diet. Most people get enough omega-6 fatty acids from their diet alone. The daily recommended amount of omega-3 fatty acids can be obtained through a daily supplement. When taken in the right amounts, omega-6 fatty acids can help with:

• Aids in reducing ADHD: Studies have shown that children with ADHD usually have lower amounts of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.
• Reduces the affects of rheumatoid arthritis
• Reducing allergies: Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a form of omega-6 fatty acids is found in fewer quantities among those that suffer from allergies. Taking addition omega-6 fatty acids, particularly plant based, can help reduce the effects of allergies.
• Lower blood pressure

Cons

Like most things in life, too much of a good thing can turn bad. On a healthy diet containing a 4:1 ration of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids, the pro's of omega-6 can far outweigh the cons. But, anything higher and you could be looking at some not-so-great side effects of too much omega-6.

• Inflammation: Arachidonic acid, a form of polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acids, can increase inflammation in joints when taken in high quantities. This can also lead to higher levels of pain for those with rhuematoid arthritis.
• Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
• Depression
• Increased risk of cancer: This is especially true for post menopausal women who have higher than normal levels of polyunsaturaded fatty acids.
• High cholesterol

Foods with a Good Omega-6 to Omega-3 Ratio

Although we should all be taking a supplement that gives us more omega-3 fatty acids, it is also important to know which foods are good and which to steer clear of. These foods have a ratio of 4:1 or lower:

• Flaxseed oil (1:4)
• Grass fed beef (3:1). Corn fed beef averages 10:1
• Seafood such as tuna (1:20)
• Egg whites (0:0)
• Black beans (1:1)
• Fruits and veggies