COFFEE 101

[IronpumpedLady]

What is it that makes a food great? Can it be the flavor, the health benefits, or is it simply the feelings that it gives us? One such food that offers all three is coffee. The dark, rich aroma and flavor of coffee can often brighten up a dull morning (a little caffeine doesn’t hurt either). Therefore coffee is a great drink! It can also be a great flavoring agent in foods too. In this Food of the Month, we will explore what makes this delectable drink so popular.

History
The first concept we have to recognize is that coffee (much like alcohol and tea) has tremendous historical significance. Coffee made its first appearance in the Middle East and African regions of the world. I’m not going to get too far into the history of coffee in this article because I feel that only one event need be mentioned to prove coffee’s importance to the human race. I’m talking about enlightenment of man- the Renaissance.
During the middle ages most people drank wine or beer throughout the day to quench their thirst. After the Europeans brought back coffee from the Middle East, people began to take a liking to coffee. Some historians describe these transitional times as when “a great haze and stupor was lifted from Europe.” The stimulating effect of coffee took the place of the depressing effect of alcohol and the rest is history.

Nutrition
When I write about coffee, I am talking about a plain black cup of Joe. Frappachinos, mocha lattes, and coffee with plenty of cream and sugar are great foods to help you gain weight in a hurry. Are you trying to pack on the pounds? If not, try to enjoy the drink without the calories. A little sugar substitute with some milk (not ½ and ½ or heavy cream) will allow your taste buds enjoy the complex flavor of coffee with a little bit of sweet and creaminess to it.

The stimulating effect of the caffeine in the coffee is usually why many people drink it. This effect can be a very positive thing in your life and help you achieve your goals throughout the day with more vigor and energy. But if you drink coffee in the morning, a Coke with lunch, and Mountain Dews and Red Bulls throughout the day, you are probably drinking coffee because you are addicted to the caffeine. My suggestion is that people who don’t drink coffee to start, and the people who drink too much to ease up. Let’s say you get off of work at 4:30pm. Well it has been a long hard day and you just don’t have the energy to work out, and there is no way you’re getting up any earlier than you already are. Coffee can help lift your energy and mood to help you make these kinds of commitments. Drink some in the afternoon if you’re planning on working out in the evening. One or two cups per day (not pots!) is considered a moderate intake.

Coffee will not stunt your growth. This is a myth. It can however bother people who are sensitive to caffeine or people who drink too much coffee. It can alter your ability to sleep. It is not a substitution for sleep or sobriety. Some research suggest that it can cause heart disease, but them some suggest that it doesn’t. Some research even suggests that it can protect you from certain diseases, and aid in weight loss. The long term effects on health seem to be passive, and that while you can enjoy coffee in moderation, if you want to prevent disease then focus on fruits, veggies, and whole grains while lowering your fat and sugar consumption.

Enjoying your Coffee
As stated above, coffee can be a vice on your quest for a healthy diet. It doesn’t have to be that way. Here are some suggestions to add variety to your coffee in the morning. These additions to your cup can be just as fun but a wiser selection than a $6.00/ 500 calorie coffee drink with a fancy name.
Cinnamon
Vanilla
Splenda/Equal/Stevia/ etc.
Add a cold cup or ½ cup of strong coffee to your blender. Add a cup of vanilla yogurt, some low fat milk and ice. Blend into a coffee flavored, caffeine powered smoothie in the morning to help jump start your day and hold you over until lunch. –This recipe got me through college. I highly recommend it.
Fat free whipped cream (for the adventurous)
Try adding milk instead of creamer. Even a tablespoon of whole milk is a better selection than cream. However some creams are lower calories than others. Check the label.

So let us raise our mugs for a toast. May the bitter bean of coffee sweeten your day, stimulate your mind, and help you get to that stack of papers piling up on the corner of your desk.


Stay Strong~~!!!
IPL

[daved150]

Re: COFFEE 101

1 splenda and non dairy no fat creamer and i'm good to go!!!! i wish i wasnt alergic too caffiene...i love coffee. 2 cups in an 1.5hrs is the limit...anymore than that an d i actually get tired and dizzy

[Dzone]

Re: COFFEE 101

GOOD POST!coffee has def health benefits! Ive been drinking that Organo Gold stuff lately. I guess its pretty healthy. heres something I just read on coffee.
Coffee is number one source of antioxidants
Coffee provides more than just a morning jolt; that steaming cup of java is also the number one source of antioxidants in the U.S. diet, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Scranton (Pa.). Their study was described today at the 230th national meeting of the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society.

"Americans get more of their antioxidants from coffee than any other dietary source. Nothing else comes close," says study leader Joe Vinson, Ph.D., a chemistry professor at the university. Although fruits and vegetables are generally promoted as good sources of antioxidants, the new finding is surprising because it represents the first time that coffee has been shown to be the primary source from which most Americans get their antioxidants, Vinson says. Both caffeinated and decaf versions appear to provide similar antioxidant levels, he adds.

He cautions that high antioxidant levels in foods and beverages don't necessarily translate into levels found in the body. The potential health benefits of these antioxidants ultimately depends on how they are absorbed and utilized in the body, a process that is still poorly understood, says Vinson, whose study was primarily funded by the American Cocoa Research Institute.

The news follows a growing number of reports touting the potential health benefits of drinking coffee. It also comes at an appropriate time: Coffee consumption is on the rise in the United States and over half of Americans drink it everyday, according to the National Coffee Association.

Antioxidants in general have been linked to a number of potential health benefits, including protection against heart disease and cancer. For the current study, Vinson and his associates analyzed the antioxidant content of more than 100 different food items, including vegetables, fruits, nuts, spices, oils and common beverages. The data was compared to an existing U.S. Department of Agriculture database on the contribution of each type of food item to the average estimated U.S. per capita consumption.

Coffee came out on top, on the combined basis of both antioxidants per serving size and frequency of consumption, Vinson says. Java easily outranked such popular antioxidant sources as tea, milk, chocolate and cranberries, he says. Of all the foods and beverages studied, dates actually have the most antioxidants of all based solely on serving size, according to Vinson. But since dates are not consumed at anywhere near the level of coffee, the blue ribbon goes to our favorite morning pick-me-up as the number one source of antioxidants, he says.

Besides keeping you alert and awake, coffee has been linked to an increasing number of potential health benefits, including protection against liver and colon cancer, type 2 diabetes, and Parkinson's disease, according to some recently published studies. But there's also a downside: Java can make you jittery and cause stomach pains, while some studies have tied it to elevated blood pressure and heart rates. More research is needed, particularly human studies, to firmly establish its health benefits, Vinson says.

While the findings would seem to encourage people to go out and drink more coffee, Vinson emphasizes moderation. "One to two cups a day appear to be beneficial," he says. If you don't like coffee, consider drinking black tea, which is the second most consumed antioxidant source in the U.S. diet, Vinson says. Bananas, dry beans and corn placed third, fourth and fifth, respectively.

But don't forget about fresh fruits and veggies, the researcher cautions. "Unfortunately, consumers are still not eating enough fruits and vegetables, which are better for you from an overall nutritional point of view due to their higher content of vitamins, minerals and fiber," Vinson says. Dates, cranberries and red grapes are among the top fruits for antioxidants on the basis of concentration (antioxidants per serving size), he says