Is coffee bad for your health? For many years, coffee has been blamed for a series of medical problems from the amusing line "it will stop you from growing" to the less amusing worries that it might start heart disease and cancer. Despite all this, recent studies have shown that coffee isn’t as unhealthy as it was initially thought. So what’s the final answer? Is drinking coffee good or is it bad for your health? The best answer is that: it doesn’t seem to harm you and it might actually help you.
A recent study from May 2006 (128000 participants) has shown that there is no high risk for the appearance of cardiovascular diseases for filtered coffee consumers. The results of this study show that the risk of setting off such diseases is not influenced by the quantity of consumed filtered coffee.
In March 2006, 4000 coffee drinkers participated in a study showing the fact that two or more coffee cups per day can lead to high risk of setting off a heart disease. It only happens in the cases of persons suffering from a specific genetic mutation that slows down the body’s assimilation process when it comes to coffee.
There are two sides of the debate yet, considering the large number of participants in the first study we mentioned here (plus numerous other studies), it is logical that we come to the conclusion that this liquid causes very little or no harm to the persons that love to drink it.
However, this affirmation does not imply that you would exaggerate when it comes to drinking coffee. Even if large quantities of the stuff do not harm you, there are also a variety of other drinks such as milk or juice that contain certain nutrients that coffee does not. We should not exaggerate in any situation.
When it comes to other advantages that coffee can bring to your general state of health, there are some scientifically facts claiming that constant coffee consumption protects the body against type 2 diabetes and colon cancer.
There are no exact reasons why coffee has anything to say when it comes to that certain type of diabetes, but doctors have come up with a series of plausible explanations:
Coffee contains antioxidants that control the destruction of a cell that contributes to the evolution of the disease. In addition, it is a source of clorogenyc acid-in the case of experiments conducted on animals, it was proven that this reduces glucose concentrations.
Caffeine, maybe the most famous ingredient of coffee, doesn’t seem to be linked in any way to this fact. Studies that have analyzed decaffeinated coffee have shown that this prevents the disease in the same way as coffee containing caffeine does.
Large quantities of coffee seem to contribute to the prevention of diabetes – researches have discovered that people who drink four up to six cups of coffee per day have 28% lower risk in getting the disease compared to people who drink 2 or less cups per day. Studies show that people who drink over six cups per day have a lower 35% of getting the disease.
Though protection against these affections as type2 diabetes and cancel to the colon is more evident due to the consumption to fruit, vegetables and certain cereals then it is due to drinking coffee. Thus don’t be afraid to enjoy your cup daily, but keep in mind that your diet must contain a large variety of food and drinks.
There are also other advantages that coffee has on your general health state .The blacker the coffe, the better.That`s why researchers recommend an espresso over regular coffee. Coffee contains tannin and antioxidants that have benefit effects on the heart and arteries.
Also coffee can be held responsible for the disappearance of headaches and can bring advantages to the liver’s activities –it can prevent cirrhoses and stones. Caffeine can reduce asthmatic attacks, improving blood flow through the heart.
Nevertheless, drinking coffee is not recommended to everyone. Drinking the world’s most popular drug in large quantities can increase anxiety, determining shaking of hands and fast cardiac rhythm. Pregnant women, patients with heart disease and those who suffer from ulcer are advised to avoid drinking coffee.
There are numerous studies and their conclusions even more so. With all this, scientists recommend that one should not drink more than 3 maximum 4 cups of coffee per day.
soure:
buzzle.com-----------------------------------
BUT WHEN YOU HAVE ULCER...Change your lifestyle habits. Stop taking those food that can cause you discomfort, for instance coffee and spicy foods. Coffee may help to keep you awake during work but drinking 4 to 5 cups a day is harmful to your stomach. If it is hard to quit, try gradually reducing your use or consumption of such things until they are easier to cut out of your life entirely. Check with a nutrition specialist or your doctor for recommendations about the foods to avoid and those you can eat to help control this condition. In addition, start eating several small meals each day, as opposed to eating two or three large meals. Smaller meals translate to better control of acid buildup at each meal and therefore, more frequent ulcer relief as most ulcer pain subsides for a few hours following a meal.
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generalhealthinformation.com-------------------
Dyspepsia sometimes leads to ulcer.. minimize coffee if you have dyspepsiaINTRODUCTION — Dyspepsia is a recurrent or persistent pain or discomfort that is primarily located in the upper abdomen. Approximately 25 percent of people in the United States and other western countries experience dyspepsia.
Dyspepsia can develop as a result of various underlying conditions. However, the most common type of dyspepsia is "functional" (or "non-ulcer") dyspepsia. This refers to dyspepsia that occurs without an identifiable cause.
This topic provides an overview of functional dyspepsia and strategies for diagnosis and treatment. For information about chronic abdominal pain in children and adolescents, see "Patient information: Chronic abdominal pain in children and adolescents".
SYMPTOMS — People with dyspepsia can have one or more symptoms, including:
- Indigestion
- Discomfort or pain in the abdominal area
- Bloating
- An early sense of fullness with meals (early satiety)
Some patients with dyspepsia also experience nausea, vomiting, a lack of appetite, weight loss, or other symptoms and findings.
Definitions — The definition of dyspepsia is as follows [1] :
- Recurrent or persistent abdominal pain or abdominal discomfort centered in the upper abdomen.
- The "discomfort" is an uncomfortable feeling but does not reach the level of pain.
- The discomfort is mainly concentrated in the upper abdomen, although a person may also have pain in other areas.
Types of dyspepsia — There are two major categories of dyspepsia:
- "Functional" dyspepsia refers to the dyspepsia that occurs with no obvious abnormality in the digestive tract (such as an ulcer).
- "Organic" or "non-functional" dyspepsia refers to conditions that have a visible abnormality in the digestive tract.
CAUSES — It is not clear what causes the signs and symptoms of functional dyspepsia. However, researchers have focused on several factors that may be involved.
Motor or nerve coordination — Normally, the process of digesting food involves a complex series of events that requires coordination of the nerves and muscles of the digestive tract. Abnormalities in this system may lead to delayed emptying of the stomach contents into the upper region of the small intestine, resulting in nausea and vomiting, an early sense of fullness with eating, and bloating. Delayed gastric emptying is found in approximately 30 percent of people with dyspepsia. However, many people with delayed gastric emptying have no symptoms of dyspepsia.
About 40 percent of people with dyspepsia have impaired relaxation (also called accommodation) of the upper region of the stomach after meals. This can cause an early sensation of fullness.
Visceral sensitivity — Enhanced visceral sensitivity is an increased sensitivity to pain, or a lower threshold for pain, that occurs when normal stretching or enlargement of the stomach occurs. Studies have consistently shown that people with functional dyspepsia often have visceral hypersensitivity.
Helicobacter pylori infection — Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterial infection of the stomach that can lead to inflammation (gastritis) or ulcers. There may be a relationship between infection with H. pylori and functional dyspepsia, although a clear association has not been established. (See "Patient information: Helicobacter pylori infection and treatment").
Psychological and social (psychosocial) factors — People with functional dyspepsia may be more likely to have certain mood problems, such as anxiety or depression. This is not to say that a person's pain is "in their head" or "made up", although treating the underlying depression or anxiety may improve a person's symptoms of abdominal discomfort.
DIAGNOSIS — There are a number of reasons why a person can develop symptoms of dyspepsia. Organic (non-functional) dyspepsia can cause symptoms that are similar to those of functional dyspepsia, or the symptoms may be slightly different. A healthcare provider will perform a medical history and physical examination to narrow the possible list of causes, with special attention to the following:
- Is the pain "gnawing" or worsened by hunger?
- Is the pain worsened by certain movements or pressure on certain areas of the abdomen?
- Do you take medications for pain, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve)? Do you have a history of ulcers?
- Do you have heartburn in addition to upper abdominal discomfort?
- Do you have intense pain in the upper right or middle of the abdomen? Does the pain extend to the back or between the shoulder blades? Does this happen periodically, along with vomiting, sweating, or feeling restless?
- Have there been changes in your bowel habits (eg, constipation or diarrhea)?
- Have you recently unintentionally lost weight, vomited repeatedly, or had difficulty swallowing?
Testing recommendations — The best way to diagnose functional dyspepsia is not clear. The American Gastroenterological Association suggests the following:
- People who are older than 55 or with serious symptoms, such as repeated vomiting, weight loss, difficulty swallowing, or a low blood count, should have an upper endoscopy procedure. (See "Patient information: Upper endoscopy").
If symptoms fail to improve within four to eight weeks or if more serious symptoms develop, further testing, including upper endoscopy, is usually recommended. Other diagnostic tests may be recommended in selected cases.
TREATMENT
Understanding the condition — Being diagnosed with functional dyspepsia may be a relief to some people and a frustration to others. It is important to understand that symptoms are not imaginary. One or more treatments may be recommended, often in combination; having realistic expectations of the benefits of treatment may help to reduce frustration. If there are mood problems, such as anxiety or depression, an evaluation with a mental health specialist (eg, social worker, psychologist, counselor) may be recommended.
Lifestyle changes — Some people benefit from avoiding fatty foods (which can slow the emptying of the stomach), and eating small frequent meals. Foods that aggravate symptoms should be avoided, if possible, although eliminating entire food groups is not recommended. If there are questions about which foods should be avoided, this should be discussed with a healthcare provider and/or dietician.
Medications — Certain medications may help to reduce the symptoms of functional dyspepsia.
H. pylori therapy — Treatment of H. pylori is recommended if an ulcer is diagnosed. (See "Patient information: Helicobacter pylori infection and treatment").
This treatment may be considered for people who have H. pylori, but who are not known to have an ulcer. However, the benefit of treating H. pylori in this situation is unclear. At best, a small proportion of people with functional dyspepsia improve following treatment of H. pylori.
Acid reducing medications — Some people benefit from treatment with medications that inhibit or reduce the production of stomach acid (eg, H2 blockers such as Zantac®, Axid®, or Pepcid® or proton pump inhibitors such as Prilosec®, Nexium®, Prevacid® AcipHex®, or Protonix®).
Visceral analgesics — As mentioned previously, some people with dyspepsia are sensitive to enlargement (distension) of the stomach. Medications that relieve visceral pain are being studied, but are not yet available.
Pain medications — Low doses of an antidepressant medication may be recommended to reduce pain, even if the patient is not depressed. The dose of TCAs is typically much lower than that used for treating depression. It is believed that these drugs reduce pain perception when used in low doses, but the exact mechanism of their benefit is unknown.
TCAs commonly used for pain management include amitriptyline, desipramine, and nortriptyline. In the beginning, many people who take TCAs experience fatigue; this is not always an undesirable side effect since it can help improve sleep when TCAs are taken in the evening. TCAs are generally started in low doses and increased gradually. Their full effect may not be seen for weeks to months.
Narcotic pain medications, such as codeine, hydrocodone, or oxycodone, are not usually recommended for long-term relief of functional dyspepsia because of the risk of side effects (eg, constipation) and the potential risk of becoming addicted.
Complementary and alternative medicine — Several complementary and alternative medicine approaches to functional dyspepsia have been described. Studies involving herbal and natural products, acupuncture, and homeopathy suggested a benefit from peppermint oil and STW5 (a European multi-herbal preparation that includes peppermint and caraway, also known as Iberogast). However, the quality of the evidence supporting these treatments is generally poor.
More research is needed before these approaches can be routinely recommended.
PROGNOSIS — Dyspepsia is typically a relapsing condition. In studies, 60 to 90 percent of people continue to have symptoms of varying degree two to three years after being diagnosed. However, most people feel better once their condition has been properly diagnosed, and many will respond to the treatments discussed above.
WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION — Your healthcare provider is the best source of information for questions and concerns related to your medical problem. Because no two patients are exactly alike and recommendations can vary from one person to another, it is important to seek guidance from a provider who is familiar with your individual situation.
This discussion will be updated as needed every four months on our web site (www.uptodate.com/patients). Additional topics as well as selected discussions written for healthcare professionals are also available for those who would like more detailed information.
source:
uptodate.com
