It's an ongoing argument in my house-- Tony says coffee is terrible for you and will end up being the death of me, I argue that coffee has many health benefits that far outweigh any negative impact. After our most recent discussion on the topic, I decided that I needed some published facts and research to back up my position, not only so I can present my side more effectively, but so I can know for sure that I am making an informed decision when it comes to my morning pick-me-up.
Since I drink an average of two tall tumblers (5-6 cups) a day of drip coffee, I am by no means an impartial judge. However, in the interest of discovering the facts, I will do the best I can to fairly and accurately portray both sides of what I find.
The first article on the subject was actually laying on my desk. Self magazine had published an article in their August issue on the benefits of coffee. Peppy fitness magazines aren't always the best source of information, but it appears that the author did more research than just scraping the surface. The article touches on the antioxidant properties of the coffee berry: Shade-grown beans may be more eco-friendly, but have less antioxidants, the roasting process both breaks down and creates antioxidants the longer they roast, meaning that a medium roast may be the best choice.
Long term benefits include a resistance to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases-- two of the scariest diseases that can come with old age in my opinion. Premenopausal women who drink 4 cups per day have a 38 percent reduction in their breast cancer risk (according to The Journal of Nutrition) and coffee's phytoestrogens and flavonids may prevent tumor growth. Gallstone sufferers take note: the Xanthine in caffeine may reduce the mucus and deposits that form gallstones. Finally, those who drink 3-4 cups a day are 30% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes by preventing insulin resistance. It has also been shown to reduce the risk of liver damage.
But that's not all! The antibacterial and antiadhesive powers may keep the bacteria in your saliva from eating away at the enamel on your teeth. Also, a cup a day may cut your oral cancer risk in half. Finally, caffeine ramps up your metabolism, so Self included a handy coffee clock to help you schedule your java breaks to maximize your metabolic rate.
Coffee has also been linked to increased dopamine levels. No wonder I feel amazing after that first sip in the morning. Don't bother with Zanax, just head to your local Starbucks.
If you read the fine print, however, you'll notice that a few points mention some not-so-reassuring aspects of coffee. One bullet point encourages readers to purchase Starbucks' Espresso Pods because the paper filters, "catch the heart-harming compounds." Wait, what? Which compounds? Another mention of the polyphenols in coffee says that they block absorption of iron from fortified grains and lowers your calcium uptake.
So what am I supposed to do when I'm 85, cancer free, but can't raise my arms for fear that my bones will crumble? Clearly the Self article left some questions unanswered.
According to an article from Harvard, one of the major risks is dependence on what they call "a mild addictive stimulant," which leads to excessive drinking. Excessive coffee intake can cause, "palpitations, insomnia, tremors, diarrhea and increased urination." I know I've got to pee quite a bit when I'm drinking it, but my guess is that if you reach the point of having tremors, you've got more than a coffee problem.
The same article also mentions that coffee drinkers tend to be smokers. I don't know how true that is, and there doesn't seem to be much behind that statement other than an opinion. Seeing as there is a coffee shop on just about every corner, that would mean that there are far more smokers than I'm used to seeing.
Each person should make their own informed decision, and of course talk to their doctor regarding the potential benefits and risks associated with coffee consumption, but after my research, I feel confident that coffee can continue to be something I look forward to in the morning. Now I just have to stop adding so much sugar to it...
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
"In this economy..."
"In this economy..."
What a phrase. It's said more times on television news shows in a day than I can count, and it has become a part of our culture as an excuse for just about everything from being cheap at Christmas to denying bonuses and home loans (unless, of course, you are a bank or auto exec.). Mostly though, it's an advertising slogan for businesses trying to convince customers that their product has more value and therefore no one in their right mind would go without it. Its this last usage that has me the most irritated.
Lets call the kettle black. Advertising is manipulation. It is the act of convincing individuals and society that a product is better than another or is so essential to your being that everyone absolutely must purchase it. To be clear, when I reference advertising, I am not including public service announcements or announcements from non profit organizations. Political ads, while manipulative, are also not considered for this post because of the myriad of other issues that would arise if I included them.
No, my first issue lies with companies using mass media to perpetuate the idea that "in this economy," X must be purchased for two reasons. First, because the idea that anything aside from essentials "must" be purchased in a recession is absurd. As people attempt to adjust to the difficulties associated with living with a decrease in pay or no income at all, the media consistently sends a message of guilt as each commercial attempts to separate every American from their hard earned money. As anyone who has been on a diet knows, it's easier to resist when you're not faced with temptation at every turn. The same is true for willpower associated with saving money. In my opinion, most Americans have difficulty resisting the urge to spend money, especially since shopping has become a recreational activity. As it is almost impossible to avoid TV, radio, internet and print advertisements in a typical day, it is likewise incredibly difficult to resist the urge to spend.
Second, I take issue with the very meaning of, "in this economy." What economy is that? Over 10 percent of people are out of a job, but what does that mean? It means that there's a lack of spending power, certainly, but it also means that the rest of us need to work extra hard in a positive direction. The more the media perpetuates the idea that we're in rough times, the more fear associated with keeping your job, spending money and taking time off of work. Of course, spending money doesn't mean putting yourself in debt: one of the many reasons we're suffering right now, but it also doesn't mean that you should shop at Wal-Mart and purchase the lowest-grade imported crap you can find just to save yourself $.10. Buying local goes a long way to create and maintain jobs in your local area, but no one wants to take the time to shop anywhere but a one-stop box mart store.
Furthermore, one in ten people has a lot of time on their hands right now, and since the job market is slim, that creates a lot of opportunity for volunteering or working on your own education so when the economy does get better, you'll be ready to go. In previous rough times, we were told not to look for what our country could do for us, now everyone wants a handout to go back to school, pay for their cell phone, get a great new job, bail out our banks, bail out our auto dealers, and anything else we deem necessary.
We (the people) got ourselves into this mess, but unlike previous hard times, we aren't willing to do anything for ourselves to get out of it. We want someone else to fix things, and we want it to happen yesterday. There's no accountability, just more grant money being allocated to government programs. Even Henry Morgenthau, Jr., FDR's Secretary of the Treasury, has admitted that government spending can not create new jobs:
"We have tried spending money. We are spending more money than we have ever spent before and it does not work. And I have just none interest, and if I am wrong . . . somebody else can have my job. I want to see this country prosperous. I want to see people get a job, I want to see people get enough to eat. We have never made good on our promises. . . . I say after eight years of this administration we have just as much unemployment as when we started . . . . And an enormous debt to boot!"
I don't have a solution for our job crisis by any means. If I were that intelligent I wouldn't be working where I am. But I do think that a bit of accountability and a return to reliance on local vendors and suppliers would go a long way in restoring order and creating jobs. So this Christmas, resist the urge to purchase the imported cheap-o version if you're going to purchase anything at all. Better yet, try making something, spending time with family or just sending a card. Your investment in a worthwhile gift or time spent together will do more than delight the recipient who opens the box.
What a phrase. It's said more times on television news shows in a day than I can count, and it has become a part of our culture as an excuse for just about everything from being cheap at Christmas to denying bonuses and home loans (unless, of course, you are a bank or auto exec.). Mostly though, it's an advertising slogan for businesses trying to convince customers that their product has more value and therefore no one in their right mind would go without it. Its this last usage that has me the most irritated.
Lets call the kettle black. Advertising is manipulation. It is the act of convincing individuals and society that a product is better than another or is so essential to your being that everyone absolutely must purchase it. To be clear, when I reference advertising, I am not including public service announcements or announcements from non profit organizations. Political ads, while manipulative, are also not considered for this post because of the myriad of other issues that would arise if I included them.
No, my first issue lies with companies using mass media to perpetuate the idea that "in this economy," X must be purchased for two reasons. First, because the idea that anything aside from essentials "must" be purchased in a recession is absurd. As people attempt to adjust to the difficulties associated with living with a decrease in pay or no income at all, the media consistently sends a message of guilt as each commercial attempts to separate every American from their hard earned money. As anyone who has been on a diet knows, it's easier to resist when you're not faced with temptation at every turn. The same is true for willpower associated with saving money. In my opinion, most Americans have difficulty resisting the urge to spend money, especially since shopping has become a recreational activity. As it is almost impossible to avoid TV, radio, internet and print advertisements in a typical day, it is likewise incredibly difficult to resist the urge to spend.
Second, I take issue with the very meaning of, "in this economy." What economy is that? Over 10 percent of people are out of a job, but what does that mean? It means that there's a lack of spending power, certainly, but it also means that the rest of us need to work extra hard in a positive direction. The more the media perpetuates the idea that we're in rough times, the more fear associated with keeping your job, spending money and taking time off of work. Of course, spending money doesn't mean putting yourself in debt: one of the many reasons we're suffering right now, but it also doesn't mean that you should shop at Wal-Mart and purchase the lowest-grade imported crap you can find just to save yourself $.10. Buying local goes a long way to create and maintain jobs in your local area, but no one wants to take the time to shop anywhere but a one-stop box mart store.
Furthermore, one in ten people has a lot of time on their hands right now, and since the job market is slim, that creates a lot of opportunity for volunteering or working on your own education so when the economy does get better, you'll be ready to go. In previous rough times, we were told not to look for what our country could do for us, now everyone wants a handout to go back to school, pay for their cell phone, get a great new job, bail out our banks, bail out our auto dealers, and anything else we deem necessary.
We (the people) got ourselves into this mess, but unlike previous hard times, we aren't willing to do anything for ourselves to get out of it. We want someone else to fix things, and we want it to happen yesterday. There's no accountability, just more grant money being allocated to government programs. Even Henry Morgenthau, Jr., FDR's Secretary of the Treasury, has admitted that government spending can not create new jobs:
"We have tried spending money. We are spending more money than we have ever spent before and it does not work. And I have just none interest, and if I am wrong . . . somebody else can have my job. I want to see this country prosperous. I want to see people get a job, I want to see people get enough to eat. We have never made good on our promises. . . . I say after eight years of this administration we have just as much unemployment as when we started . . . . And an enormous debt to boot!"
I don't have a solution for our job crisis by any means. If I were that intelligent I wouldn't be working where I am. But I do think that a bit of accountability and a return to reliance on local vendors and suppliers would go a long way in restoring order and creating jobs. So this Christmas, resist the urge to purchase the imported cheap-o version if you're going to purchase anything at all. Better yet, try making something, spending time with family or just sending a card. Your investment in a worthwhile gift or time spent together will do more than delight the recipient who opens the box.
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