Benefits Of Coffee Consumption To Health

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages around the world. It has been circulating across the globe since the 15th century and is consumed for its cognitive stimulating effects, its role in aiding digestion and its mediating power as a symbol of social gathering. Science has studied coffee from every angle and it has shown significant health benefits beyond simply acting as a mental stimulant.

Alzheimer's and Dementia

Several studies over the years have assessed factors that help the elderly stay mentally fit. One of darker sides of aging is the potential for developing Alzheimer's, the mental deterioration of memory, and dementia, the loss of cognitive reasoning. These two conditions are almost always age dependent and usually do not set in until someone is in his 60s or 70s. Two separate longitudinal studies, one by the American Journal of Epidemiology and the other by the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, found that three to five cups of coffee a day decreased the risk of Alzheimer's and dementia significantly. The mechanisms for this are unclear, but because coffee acts as a central nervous system stimulant, it may promote continued activation and renewal on parts of the brain associated with memory and cognition.

Cancer Protection

Coffee has also been studied extensively for its role in fighting cancer development. Coffee has been associated with a reduced risk of cancer of the colon, mouth, esophagus, liver, prostate and breasts. In one study published by the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, researchers found that coffee significantly reduced the risk of developing colon cancer. In particular, they linked it to an antioxidant that is found exclusively in roasted coffee, known as methylpyridinium. In another longitudinal study, Dr. Gang Hu and associates at the University of Helsinki found that moderate to heavy coffee drinkers were significantly less likely to develop liver cancer. They found that the antioxidants in coffee had a neutralizing effect against a specific liver cancer-causing enzyme known as gamma-glutamyltransferase.

Dental Cavity Protection

Coffee has amassed a negative reputation in relation to teeth because it can sometimes cause stains. On the other hand, recent scientific studies have revealed that it may actually help protect teeth from developing cavities, also known as dental caries. Beverages like coffee and tea contain a powerful astringent polyphenol known as tannin. The tannins found in coffee are effective enough to kill and neutralize the bacteria associated with cavity production. In a recent study, Dr. Anila Namboodiripad and associates at the KLE Society's Institute of Dental Science found that coffee was extremely effective at killing a range of micro-organisms associated with the formation of dental caries.

Pain Reduction

Coffee also has the added strength of working with other pain killers to remedy minor aches. In addition, coffee drinkers sometimes drink coffee because it works to eliminate certain types of headaches. The caffeine found in coffee may help to reduce intracranial inflammation. In the June 2007 issue of the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, researchers stated that caffeine plays a dual role in pain relief by accelerating the absorption of acetaminophen and enhancing its potency. Coffee also increases blood circulation, helping to deliver over-the-counter and prescription medications to the site of the pain.

Cognitive Function

Coffee is associated with an enhanced cognitive function in both the short term as well as in long-term consumption. Coffee acts as a central nervous system stimulant. It increases several neurotransmitters associated with mental alertness such as histamine, acetycholine, dopamine, glutamate and serotonin. An article by Time magazine reported that subjects who were given an intelligence test, known as the intelligence quotient, tested higher if they had consumed several cups of coffee compared with no coffee at all. In addition, in the December 2009 issue of Psychosomatic Medicine, Dr. Xueli Jia and associates found that long-term coffee consumption played a significant positive role in cognitive function in older adults.