 "Photo: Elizabeth Miller / UCD Advocate")
For many people it’s a fact of life: coffee=survival. A quick tour down any avenue of your choice will probably uncover two to three coffee shops within four blocks. But is this beverage as nutritious as it is delicious?
Walter Conard, who holds a doctorate in naturopathic medicine, said that coffee is wonderful as a detoxifier, as it is extremely beneficial to the liver and the circulatory system. “When it comes to its use as an antioxidant I can think of no better,” said Conard.
Other studies show additional benefits.
According to Jan Patenaude, a registered dietitian specializing in migraines and IDS syndrome, coffee in the right proportions can be extremely helpful for migraines. While it has the chance of creating an addictive cycle, a little bit of coffee is very beneficial in taking the edge off of a migraine.
“Another of its benefits,” said Patenaude, “is that a recent study has shown that it reduces the chance of Type 2 diabetes.”
Patenaude isn’t the only one who will testify on this recent finding.
Carolyn Ross, a doctor at the Health Center at Auraria who is heading up a weight management program on campus that is free to all students, agreed. She said, “Risk for Type 2 diabetes is much lower in those who drink coffee.”
She also said that coffee greatly reduces the risks of several other medical problems such as gallstones, colon cancer, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s.
Besides these findings, coffee can also be good for the here and now. “Coffee is proven to increase cognitive functions, as well as help improve endurance in long-duration activities such as running or swimming,” said Ross.
However, as with most everything, moderation is key.
All three of these professionals warn students to enjoy this beverage in moderation, because some of the side effects can be quite brutal.
Ross said that too much coffee can have the side effects of high blood pressure and an irregular heartbeat. Overuse also has the possibility of reducing bone density. Conard also had his stipulations, warning that too much intake of the beverage tends to cause lack of sleep. This can result in too much stimulation of the adrenal glands that affect the anti-inflammatory process in the body.
Patenaude advises that all coffee drinkers ensure that they are also taking in the water they need to stay hydrated because coffee can have a dehydrating affect on the body.
Ross recommends a two-to three-cup daily average to receive the full benefit of coffee and to avoid its detrimental aspects.
So enjoy your latte or drink of choice without feeling overly guilty about the consequences.
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