Health Briefs TV Examines the Pros and Cons of Caffeine

Caffeine can be found in many common food and beverages we consume daily. It is both beneficial and detrimental to overall wellness. Health Briefs TV examines the pros and cons of caffeine.

Caffeine is a bitter tasting drug that is commonly found in the coffee bean, cacao plant, and tea leaf. It’s odorless. Scientists believe some plants developed it as a defense mechanism from being eaten. In today’s highly charged world, caffeine can give us the energy boost we need to get started for the day. We take our caffeine is different forms: coffee, tea, cocoa and in beauty care products.

Caffeine enters the blood stream through the stomach and small intestine and can take effect in 15 minutes. It blocks the brain chemical adenosine which is aligned with sleep. It releases adrenaline which can cause muscle tightening and an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. How much is too much?

The FDA notes that four to five cups of coffee per day is healthy for adults. A total of 400 milligrams of caffeine, if not a coffee drinker, is the recommended amount for adults. Children and teens are encouraged to avoid it altogether. A study by a respected medical journal notes that caffeine consumption can lower the rates of depression in women. Caffeine has also been shown to enhance long-term memory, and can lower the risk of malignant melanoma by 20 percent for some people.

Too much caffeinated food, beverages and nutritional supplements can cause jitteriness, dizziness, heart palpitations, and other medical issues. Health Briefs TV also notes that for some people, addiction is possible. The human body gets used to having caffeine in it, and more is needed to get its perks. We can also become addicted to caffeine. Imagine what the morning would be like if we did not have a few cups of coffee to get us going.

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Health Briefs TV with More Good Reasons to Enjoy Coffee

There are many good reasons to enjoy a good cup of coffee: it helps wake you up, it keeps you going through a long day at work, and even provides good wellness benefits. Health Briefs learns that there are more good reasons to enjoy that cup of joe.

Coffee and its antioxidants are well-known to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, depression, liver disease and early death.  Now, the results of a new study are published from the Journal of the National Cancer Institute showing coffee can lower the risk of certain skin cancers. The study focused on 447,000 non-Hispanic whites who were at a higher risk of skin cancer. Results from the research found that those who drank four or more cups of coffee per had a 20% lower risk of developing malignant melanoma than those who drank less coffee. Health Briefs TV also learns that decaf coffee had no effect on lowering the risk.  There have been many reports from respected researchers on the overall good health benefits of java. Add this as one more positive reason to head for the coffee maker, coffee urn, or coffee shop.  Kick up the flavor without adding to fat and calories by adding a scant teaspoon of cocoa powder in your cup or mug. Mix well and enjoy. Cocoa is another anti-oxidant which is known to increase overall health. Bottoms up.

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