Nothing I have read this morning has given me as much pleasure as this, from the Guardian:
People who drink coffee have a lower risk of dying from a host of causes, including heart disease, stroke and liver disease, research suggests — but experts say it's unclear whether the health boost is down to the brew itself.
The connection, revealed in two large studies, was found to hold regardless of whether the coffee was caffeinated or not, with the effect higher among those who drank more cups of coffee a day.
As I am on my second cup of the day, and there will be plenty more to come, I feel justified in my choice and now reinforced in my long-held belief that this is good for me. The caveats, such as this, are read as comfort:
But scientists say that the link might just be down to coffee-drinkers having healthier behaviours.
The relevance? I am acutely aware of how much we choose to read is intended to reinforce our own prejudices. This one does just that for me. But because I know it I do try to read the unpalatable (otherwise known as the Daily Mail) as often as possible. There is always a counter-argument. Except on coffee, where no limits are known.
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Buy me a coffee!
Like most of us, I too enjoy a good cup of coffee. Unfortunately there are serious ecological, social and political problems resulting from the massive increase in global demand for a ‘cup of Joe’. As you undoubtedly know, coffee is the 2nd largest traded commodity in the world, after crude oil. And most coffee is now grown as a mono-crop like soy, wheat and corn. I won’t elaborate further as time doesn’t permit and all the information is out there on the Net. A couple of links for anyone interested: http://theconversation.com/the-dark-side-of-coffee-an-unequal-social-and-environmental-exchange-46838 & http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/sustainable-coffee_n_5175192.
I don’t want to diminish your enjoyement of this delicious drink. Just try to ensure the beans are grown sustainably and organically, from an independent farmer who is getting fairly paid. Easier said than done, I know. If only the simple things in life weren’t so complicated!
This is why Sainsbury’s move against Fair Trade is so cynical
These sorts of report are ridiculous and dangerous.
Someone would be delusional thinking that a few cups of coffee can overcome the physical problems of being overweight and constantly on the verge of an apoplectic heart attack.
Maybe you need to do a little research on how large scale surveys work
Rather like you seem to misread on tax based on a little knowledge you seem to be doing the same here
“But scientists say that the link might just be down to coffee-drinkers having healthier behaviours.”. Yeah like walking to the kettle more frequently. And the bathroom!
I suggest learning how to brew a great cup and find out the chemistry involved, published by the American Chemical Society. That dark brown liquor is beautifully complex.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdJ9oJ2GUF8Vmb-G63ldGWg?sub_confirmation=1
Link is https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/pressroom/reactions/videos/2016/coffee-chemistry.html
At the risk of being economical, there is opportunity cost. If you are more of a coffee drinker and rather less of an alcohol or addictive fizzy stuff drinker then if the coffee does far less damage then this might explain the figures.
Oh dear. where does this leave tea drinkers who detest coffee?
Leaves you just fine… “Typhoo” is from the Chinese for “Doctor”. I love both…
I need at least 2 mugs of ground coffee in the morning before I do anything to be honest.
And a small one in the afternoon at about 3pm.
If it had not been for the large flask of coffee I took in with me to the University library on a regular basis, I would not have been able to complete my MBA 2014.
I find that I can drink tea too (strong) but it also keeps me awake – I can drink coffee but still sleep well.
@Maggie D – it leaves you in a good place because, in almost all respects, tea is a healthier drink!
Does that include instant?
No idea, but I expect so
I never believe one-off pieces of “research” The only thing I believe in is a balanced diet.
BTW, what do you make of the FT piece this morning, about brexit humiliation??
I can’t find one
I loved that Guardian article as well. To think that, not all that many years ago, coffee was right up there with the evils of nitrates and saturated fat as what healthy people should NOT consume. Ever. I still occasionally run into people who insist that coffee is ‘bad’ for you (or them.) But it’s not, and never was.
Coffee should probably not be taken to the point where jitters set in or withdrawal produces unpleasant side effects. Sugar and fatty additions don’t add to the health quotient either, although they can be tasty. Black coffee is the healthiest option, and the full taste of the coffee comes through. But hey. Whatever floats your boat. A coffee drinking habit itself is one of life’s pleasures that is not only safe for most people, but actually beneficial to overall health.
I do agree about buying it from ethically-grown sources, though. Sources that pay their workers a decent wage, don’t destroy the land, and are preferably organic. But this principle applies to anything we consume, not just coffee.
Agreed!
(On my fourth of the day, at least)
With any research I suggest questions to always ask are
A. Who funded the research
B. Who peer reviewed it
In both of those I don’t mean find some sort of fake body or group name intended to present the impression of impartiality. Follow the money to find the real bias in the research. A movie titled “Merchants of Doubt” explains this quite entertainingly