Cup
of Joe a day keeps the doctor away!
Kent Fischer - 1 Jan 2009
Coffee is the world’s favorite
beverage. It is definitely “first aid” for the sleepy head. Gym afficionados love it for the boost in
energy it gives them. Recent scientific research produced an unlikely finding i.e. it’s good for
you!
The cornerstone of building a
powerful body is insulin metabolism.
Thishormone :
-
Increases
nutrient uptake into tissues.
-
Regulates key
growth factors in muscles.
-
Influences the
amount of fat used as energy.
Steadily increasing research has produced a plethora of studies
suggesting frequent consumption of coffee can improve
insulin metabolism. Additionally it provides a shield against the
development of type-2 (adult-onset) diabetes, - an illness shortening lifespan, and affecting 30 to 40% of the
adult population in North America.
1984-1987 researchers followed 910 adults aged 50 years or older that did not have diabetes. During the following 8
years the researchers kept in contact with these adults and monitored their coffee intake.
Statistical rmodels were utilized to account for factors such as gender, age, and lifestyle
factors (physical activity, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, hypertension, baseline fasting
plasma glucose levels).
The conclusion of the study? Coffee consumption reduces
the risk for type-2 diabetes a whopping 60%!!! A few years ago, researchers in
Amsterdam reported heavy coffee drinkers are half as likely to develop diabetes as those consuming two cups
or less each day. This set off a war of words between experts, as many health related articles
say you should abstain from coffee and tea. Researchers all over the world have been trying to refute or duplicate
these findings, and the results seem to find in favor of coffee.
Coffee has been attacked as causing high blood pressure,
cardiovascular disease, and stroke. Scientific research however is lacking.
Assuming that the reader wants to accept the findings in favor of coffee, how much is optimum? The research is not
conclusive on this. The Dutch scientists recommend 8 or more cups per day whereas Harvard researchers found four to
six cups a day optimum. Other researchers have found an average of 2.8 cups is quite adequate. Therefore 3-4 cups a day will probably serve as a good guide for those
who want to give it a try.
The research appears to show the efficacy of regular caffeine, as decaffeinated coffee had only a modest
effect. However further research reveals a grey area in all this.
Now how does coffee improve insulin metabolism and fat loss? A study last year demonstrated that
both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee consumption after
a meal significantly slowed carbohydrate release into the bloodstream. This has a positive
effect on plasma glucose and insulin responses concomitantly with gastrointestinal hormone profiles, the end result
promoting efficient metabolism of fat.
A cup of coffee after a meal appears to be a great strategy for promoting a lower, steadier blood sugar and
hormonal response, conducive to fat metabolism. In addition to caffeine, coffee contains substantial amounts of magnesium, niacin, potassium,
polyphenols and other antioxidants such as tocopherol (vitamin E). The researchers can’t
agree on exactly how the coffee improves metabolism, only that it does. So drink up.
And don forget your exercise program. For a comprehensive guide in diet and exercise click
on No Nonsense Musclebuilding.
.
For more information contact: www,musclebuildingmagic.com |
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