Coffee: The Elixir of Health?

Several studies have shown some suprising health benefits of coffee in the last few years. Coffee was found to have a preventative effect against diabetes. Coffee seems to also help prevent alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. Coffee is loaded with antioxidants as well. Another major find is a significant protective effect against alcoholic cirrhosis.

Now, before I go any further, I will state the coffee is a mixed bag. It has some good substances and some potentially bad substances. Caffeinated can cause insomnia or at best less than ideal quantity and timimg of sleep. Coffee can be hard on the stomach, for those with sensitive stomachs. Caffeine can also cause irritability and anxiety, so partake in moderation and give yourself a break whenever necessary. Caffeine can elevate the blood pressue and also can tigger heart palpitations.

The coffee bean is a seed, not a fruit, and some of the same substances we like, such as caffeine, are acually natural insecticides evolved by the plant to ward off predators (insects and herbivores). Coffee is not alone there. The interesting, favorful compounds in all our herbs and spices are probably all the plant's own chemical warfare system to protect itself from being eaten. The fact that some of these poisons are harmless to us and quite tasty is more of a happy accident of evolution than anything. That's not to say herbs and spices don't helpful biological functions for us. Some of them probably helped to eliminate parasites for our ancestors and helped to preserve our food, with some of the compunds being anti-microbial and likely making the food item less appealing to smaller mammals like rats and mice.

Anyway, back to coffee... it's a complex mixture of natural substances, and if you can do without it, that's okay. You don't need coffee to be healthy. But if you find coffee interesting, don't feel bad about drinking it. Just do so in moderation and beware of the downsides. You might just be helping to prevent some health issues in your future!