In addition, coffee is very high in antioxidants


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Drink more Kona coffee to improve health?
By Virginia Easton Smith
Sunday, October 18, 2009 7:26 AM HST
Good news for all you coffee lovers. Recent research reported by Harvard Medical School and Mayo Clinic has found that contrary to its reputation in some circles, coffee "doesn't seem to hurt, and may help" our health.

I am providing this information, not as medical advice since I am certainly not qualified to do so, but as encouragement to buy and drink more Kona coffee. It will certainly be good for the health of Hawaii agriculture and the local economy, and it just might be good for your health as well.

For human health, we must keep in mind the all things in moderation rule. There a few possible negatives of coffee drinking, primarily with excess consumption, but the bad list is relatively short. What follows are some research findings. Individuals will vary in their response to caffeine and coffee.

advertisement

Heavy consumption of unfiltered coffee is associated with mild increases in cholesterol levels because of two substances found naturally in coffee, kahweol and cafestol. However, paper filters capture these substances, providing an easy remedy, although putting a limit on some types of coffee drinks.

For people with a specific, though fairly common, genetic mutation that slows the breakdown of caffeine in the body, two or more cups of coffee a day can increase the risk of heart disease, according to a study reported by Mayo Clinic.

Problems caused by heavy caffeine use (described as four to seven cups a day) are listed as restlessness, anxiety, irritability, sleeplessness and headaches.

The Harvard Women's Health Watch points out that caffeine is a mild addictive stimulant, and that "coffee does have modest cardiovascular effects such as increased heart rate and blood pressure and occasional irregular heartbeat that should be considered." The effects on women's health issues, such as breast health, cancer and osteoporosis, have not been determined. But again, the possible negative effects of coffee are usually associated with excessive consumption.

The old saw that coffee stunts children's growth has been debunked, but we might all be able to think of several other reasons not to provide young kids with such a powerful stimulant.

The good list is pretty impressive.

First, according to the Mayo Clinic, the claim that coffee causes heart disease and cancer has never been proven and "recent studies have generally found no connection between coffee and an increased risk of cancer or heart disease."

More than one study showed that the risk for type 2 diabetes is lower among regular coffee drinkers than among nondrinkers of the beverage. Coffee may reduce the risk of developing gallstones, discourage the development of colon cancer, improve cognitive function, reduce the risk of liver damage in people at high risk for liver disease and reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease in men, but not in women, according to Harvard Medical School. Last year, researchers found that coffee drinkers were half as likely to get liver cancer as nondrinkers. And a few studies found ties to lower rates of colon, breast and rectal cancers.

Harvard also recently reported that coffee may not increase the risk for high blood pressure over time as previously thought. However, it said findings for other cardiovascular effects are a mixed bag (this was not explained any further).

Coffee has also been shown to improve endurance performance in long-duration physical activities. In addition, coffee is very high in antioxidants, and we've certainly all heard many times about how beneficial they are.

Celebrate something so delicious being good for us at the upcoming 39th annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival from Nov. 6 to 15. For information on all the events, including the prelude events on Nov. 1, visit konacoffeefest.com.

There are some changes this year; the biggest logistical one is that the events in the week leading up to the grand parade, previously held at Hale Halawai, will now be at the Makaeo pavilion at Old Kona Airport Park. Fortunately, this location has plenty of parking. The Aloha Makahiki Concert will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 1 at the pavilion.

Kona coffee growers wanting to be part of the Kona Coffee Showcase need to donate a 1-pound package of roasted coffee. The showcase will be a display of as many coffees as can be gathered, along with brochures and business cards from the farms. The showcase will be from Nov. 11 to 14 at the Makaeo pavilion. On Nov. 14, following the grand parade, the coffee will be given out as lucky number drawings. Interested growers can drop off their coffee and material at the University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Service in Kainaliu or call 322-4892 or Nathan Kurashige at 324-1264.

This information is provided by the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. For more information, contact the Cooperative Extension Service in Kainaliu at 322-4892, in Hilo at 981-5199 or in Waimea at 887-6183, or visit ctahr.hawaii.edu/site/extprograms.aspx.

Even more importantly, coffee makes me happy.

Wayne

This is wonderful information as I love my coffee. I am very interested in trying the Kona coffee. Do you have any possible stores that currently carry it or does it have to be ordered online? Again thanks for sharing!