Great news! A study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine found coffee drinkers are more likely to live longer than non- coffee drinkers.  Men drinking 3 cups of coffee per day were 10% less likely to die than non-coffee drinkers, and women drinking that amount were 13% less likely to die.  The study, conducted by The National Institute of Health and AARP, followed 400,000 men and women aged 50-71 between 1995 and 2008, and is the largest of its kind.

A single cup of coffee daily was found to provide a slightly lower risk of death, while those drinking the most coffee (4-5 cups) had a 16% reduced risk of death!

Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in America and has been found to lower the risk of several illnesses, and now the risk of death overall.  Enjoy an extra cup of HealthWise today!

With all of the new “healthy” foods on the market today with fancy names and packaging, it’s important to remember the regular foods in our diet that are just as healthy!  Here are a few “superfoods” you’re probably already eating:

Coffee: As you know, coffee protects against several types of cancers, Type II Diabetes, and Parkinson’s Disease. It also helps with digestion, concentration, and is the leading source of antioxidants in the US diet.

Yogurt:  Yogurt contains probiotics, which help with digestion and can reduce the risk of stomach ulcers and breast cancer.  This is also a great source of calcium.

Apples:   These contain flavonoids which help regulate blood sugar levels and break down complex carbs.  Some of its ingredients act as an antihistamine and anti-inflammatory so may protect against allergies and heart disease.  Apples are also one of the only fruits to protect against lung cancer.

Eggs: Eggs are a source of high-quality complete protein, which is easily absorbed by the body. They also contain choline which may prevent long-term memory loss and helps with sending messages between nerves and muscles.  More than 90% of Americans are choline-deficient so eggs are a great source.

Chocolate:  Dark chocolate can help lower blood pressure and increase blood flow, and also contains the amount of antioxidants found in pomegranates and blueberries!

A new study this month which was presented at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Diego shows that coffee taken as a supplement may help people lose weight.

The study involved 16 obese patients who were given green coffee extract in a capsule form daily, and results were dramatic (in my opinion).  On average, adding this small amount of coffee extract to their diets (while keeping everything else constant) caused, on average, an 11% reduction in body weight! 

Chlorogenic acid, which is unprocessed, unroasted coffee’s primary ingredient, may be the weight-loss factor of this study, rather than caffeine.  This has not been published in a journal nor has it undergone peer review, and follow-up studies are planned.

Initially it did appear caffeine might have played a role in the development of psoriasis; however, those who drank more coffee typically also drank more alcohol and smoked cigarettes. Over time it became apparent the link was to the alcohol and smoking, not coffee.

Psoriasis is caused by an abnormal immune system attack on one’s own body, causing red, scaly patches on the skin.  A group of Irani researchers also applied caffeine directly to the skin of volunteers with psoriasis and found an apparent benefit; however, that wasn’t investigated in this study. 

March is National Nutrition Month!  Everyone knows nutrition plays a huge role in maintaining a healthy body and protecting against chronic disease, and here are some ways HealthWise Coffee can help:

• - Antioxidants: These help protect the body against disease, by fighting off free radicals which attack healthy cells and cause illness. Coffee is the leading source of antioxidants in the US diet, and over half of Americans enjoy it each day.

• - Minerals: Minerals are essential for normal body functioning, from bone health to the ability to focus. HealthWise Coffee has a patented roasting formula which allows it to retain more minerals than other coffees. Drinking HealthWise can significantly contribute to your Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of these minerals:

Calcium                4.6%
Potassium           18.6%
Iron                     12.9%
Zinc                      6.4%

• - Low Acid Content: The typical American diet is too acidic, and millions of Americans rely on medication to control their stomach discomfort. The human body should stay in the pH range of 7.35-7.45, and those who go beyond this desired range can suffer from kidney, bladder, heart, and joint issues. HealthWise Low Acid Coffee has the most neutral pH of all of the coffee brands we tested in the HealthWise pH Challenge. With the risk of an upset stomach gone, you can enjoy more coffee as well!

• - Protective Elements: Coffee has been shown in several studies to protect against certain types of cancers, Type-II diabetes, Parkinson’s Disease, and more.

Despite previous studies that produced conflicting results, this study showed that coffee drinkers and non-drinkers were similarly likely to develop both ailments. It also showed coffee drinkers are about 23% less likely to develop Type-II Diabetes, which is on par with several other studies.

February is Heart Health Awareness Month and you’ve likely been hearing about the importance of maintaining a healthy heart through nutrition and exercise.

Some people have avoided caffeinated coffee for fear of potential health risks despite decades of research suggesting otherwise. Luckily, there’s no need to worry about your heart health when enjoying your daily cup of HealthWise!  Actually, the caffeine from two cups of coffee will increase blood pressure slightly; however, the effect is temporary and may not even occur for regular drinkers. Coffee is not a factor in abnormal heart rhythms either.

For those worried about cholesterol, filtering coffee removes oils that can raise cholesterol levels, and two cups of coffee each day actually can causes arteries to relax rather than stiffen. While coffee is safe for a healthy heart, it’s always important to look at all of the factors that may impact your heart health!  

While coffee is healthy for your body, it appears to be healthy for relationships as well. A recent study revealed 32% of coffee drinkers recommended morning coffee with their significant other as the best way to have a healthy relationship.  This even topped responses favoring buying flowers, dinner at a nice restaurant, and expensive jewelry! Hope you enjoyed your HealthWise Coffee today!

Increases Memory Function: Two cups of coffee per day improves memory function for up to two hours after consumption, mainly due to the effects of the caffeine.

Lowers Stroke Risk: The American Journal of Epidemiology has published that drinking 3-4 cups daily reduces stroke risk by about 17%- wow!

Improves Stamina:  Drinking one cup of coffee before running or working out can increase stamina by about 40%.  Added bonus: coffee helps ease muscle pain post-workout and in days following.

Tastes Great:   HealthWise Coffee is always rich and never bitter, thanks to its special roasting process.  Higher in vitamins and minerals than other coffees, it’s easy on the stomach as a low acid coffee.    Coffee consumption is at an all-time high, and its health benefits are as well!

Coffee appears to lower estrogen in white women, but tends to raise the levels in Asian women.  These effects appear to be so minimal that they have no real impact on healthy women. However, this study does help to understand how caffeine is metabolized by different genetic groups.  The study was published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and studied women aged 18-44. 

On average, these women consumed 90 mg of caffeine per day, about the amount in one cup of coffee.  About 90% of women in this age group drink the caffeine equivalent of 1-2 cups of coffee per day! It seems these effects were linked only to the caffeine in coffee and not with other types of caffeinated beverages.  Other factors probably also play a role in that than just caffeine, like adding cream and sugar, or the amount of antioxidants in the drink.

Short-term, healthy women don’t need to worry about caffeine intake, especially given the health benefits of coffee. More research is needed to track these effects over many years.