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Drinking coffee and getting regular exercise have been shown to reduce the risk of dementia in seniors, and two recent studies help show why: one published by the American Heart Association shows that seniors who regularly exercise reduced their risk of vascular-related dementia by 40 percent. Just 30 minutes of exercise 3 times per week had a significant effect on brain health.

A second study published in the November issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine showed that drinking 3-5 cups of coffee per day at mid-life is linked to a reduced risk of dementia in late life. This also helps with protecting against Parkinson’s Disease- researchers attribute caffeine’s effects to how it interacts with cerebral adenosine receptors, which caffeine binds to. Regular caffeine consumption caused up to 50 percent occupancy of certain brain receptors, keeping the brain healthy and alert.

The US average for coffee drinkers is two five-ounce cups per day, or 200 mg of caffeine.

Parkinson’s disease symptoms may be eased by drinking coffee, a new study found published in the August issue of Neurology.  It is just one of many recent studies tying coffee to health benefits.

Parkinson’s is a brain disease that causes tremors, and difficulty with movement and coordination.  It’s a degenerative disease and most commonly develops in adults over 50.  Its cause is unknown. 

This study tracked 61 people with Parkinson’s- some were given caffeine pills and some placebos.  The caffeinated group had about 200 milligrams twice per day, about 2-4 cups of coffee.  Six weeks later, those taking the caffeine had a 5 point improvement on the severity of their symptoms, compared to the placebo group.  While other studies have showed that those who drink coffee are less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease, this is the first that shows an improvement in symptoms tied to coffee.  Encouraging news!

Coffee may prevent heart failure, according to a study published in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation Heart Failure.  Five studies conducted in Finland and Sweden found that people who drank a moderate amount of coffee (two 8-ounce cups per day) daily may have an 11% increase in protective benefits against heart failure.

High blood pressure is usually considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease so many researchers assumed coffee could be harmful. However, previous studies have shown blood pressure is only raised for a short period after drinking coffee, and the long-term effects are actually beneficial! Read more about this story here.

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!

Studies have linked drinking beer and smoking cigarettes to developing the skin ailment psoriasis.  Not so with coffee!  Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston looked at more than 82,000 participants over 14 years to determine there is no link between drinking coffee and developing psoriasis.

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.