Scientists have recently discovered the link between cardiovascular benefits and coffee.
(prHWY.com) October 15, 2011 - Irving, TX -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Brisbane, Australia - Scientists have recently discovered the link between cardiovascular benefits and coffee. In a recent large multicentre study it has been agreed that moderate consumption of filtered coffee brings quite significant benefits towards reducing myocardial infarction mainly through its antioxidant properties but still much remains to be discovered.
An analysis of a number of European studies have shown that there is a correlation between coffee consumption and the risk of getting a heart attack, also known as myocardial infarction to the scientific community. Whether or not the coffee is filtered or unfiltered, there is an average of 30% reduction in getting a myocardial infarction if coffee is consumed moderately compared to non drinkers. To the general community, this definitely translates to good cardiovascular benefits. On the flipside, large consumptions of more than 300mls of coffee a day results in an increase in risk of getting myocardial infarction. There is no distinction between unfiltered coffee or filtered coffee. Scientists are unsure how coffee actually protects the heart.
They do agree to a conclusion that CGA, an antioxidant found in coffee prevents inflammation and endothelial dysfunction but are still unsure about its true cardioprotective mechanism.
So what about hypertension? Does coffee consumption influence blood pressure? It would be major news if coffee intake causes hypertension. It would not only mean loss of income for coffee plantation owners and manufacturers but also many people will not continue to drink it.
We asked Winson, a leading researcher who looked into the effects of caffeine and hypertension in women. "Caffeine does have the potential to cause high blood pressure but in coffee drinkers, the antioxidant properties prevent this from happening, unlike diet cokes and cola drinks which contain caffeine as the main ingredient," says Professor Winson. He did mention that caffeine in coffee does result in higher blood pressures but only if you are a non habitual drinker. However, further studies showed a twist. CGA in coffee does cause a drop in blood pressures but strangely enough when drank as coffee, no blood pressure differences were found in males and females.
When asked about the effects of coffee on lipid or cholesterol levels, this is what he said, "Coffee does increase cholesterol levels especially boiled coffee." He later added, "I know this might sound alarming to you but filtered boiled coffee is better for cholesterol levels." We were taken by surprise when this was mentioned to us but in fact that was something he did mention later on and that is the lipids found in coffee does have some anticarcinogenic properties.
There is still much to be discovered about the properties of coffee especially those that of different variants. Preliminary studies have shown subtle differences in cardiovascular benefits amongst different coffee bean species.
Angelica Hoffman is a coffee lover. She is always in the search for great tasting coffee and the health benefits of coffee. She is also a senior editor who writes
espresso machine reviews for ESM Coffee and contributes to several other health networks.
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