Health Benefits

We’re Learning More about the Health Benefits of Coffee

by • Coffee • Tags: , • 0 Comments

We’re Learning More about the Health Benefits of CoffeeGalaxie Coffee has devoted previous blog posts to discussing the potential health benefits of drinking coffee. Well, we are happy to report that the good news continues to come in. A recent article published by Vending Market Watch cites four more potential health benefits that make that morning cup of Joe even more intriguing.

1. Cancer Prevention

The coffee industry has been reluctant to draw link between coffee consumption and a lower risk for cancer due to a lack of hard data. However, a study published earlier this year in the International Journal of Cancer may provide that link we have been looking for. In a study involving 7,000 male subjects in Italy, those who consumed more than 3 cups of coffee per day were 53% less likely to develop prostate cancer as compared to those who drank less.

The study coincides with two others out of the UK. Studies from the University of Southampton and the University of Edinburgh revealed that people are less likely to develop hepatocellular cancer (a common form of liver cancer) if their coffee consumption was higher. The two studies combined data from 26 other studies looking at upwards of 2.25 million people. Coffee drinkers were 20% less likely to develop the liver cancer than those who drank no coffee at all.

2. Chronic Pain

Coffee could be a better treatment for chronic pain than long-term pharmaceutical use. A study from Boston Children’s Hospital looked at lab mice who were given medications, coffee, or additional sleep to treat chronic pain. The coffee drinking mice and their well-rested counterparts were less sensitive to pain than those taking the drugs. Researchers further discovered that a combination of enough sleep and regular coffee consumption could be better for pain management than prescription medications.

3. Diabetes

The relationship between coffee consumption and reduced risk of diabetes has been established for quite some time. But now we may have an explanation, thanks to a Chinese study that looked at the caffeine, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid found in coffee. The three substances appear to reduce the buildup of a certain protein linked to type II diabetes. The research suggest that caffeinated coffee is more beneficial in this regard than decaf.

4. Depression

Finally, a study from the Harvard School of Public Health suggests that regular coffee consumption may reduce the risk of suicide by as much as 50%. Researchers presented their data after looking at three large studies looking at the effects of caffeine as a central nervous system stimulant. They suggest that caffeine may act as a mild antidepressant that may partly explain lower rates of depression and suicide among regular coffee drinkers.

Here at Galaxie Coffee, we are always happy to learn more about the potential health benefits of coffee. We are equally happy to provide reliable office coffee service to your workplace. In addition to coffee and coffee machines, our service includes a wide variety of beverages, breakroom products, and more.

Top 10 Health Benefits of Coffee

by • Coffee, Hot Beverage • Tags: , , • 0 Comments

Top 10 Health Benefits of CoffeeThere has been plenty of debate over whether coffee is a beverage we should be drinking. A group of studies back in the 70s had many people convinced that coffee was responsible for a whole litany of health problems while studies conducted in the 80s and 90s contradicted their predecessors. Today we have a much larger body of evidence from which to draw. The evidence shows that, while there may be some negative health effects of drinking too much coffee, consuming America’s favorite hot beverage in moderation is actually good for you.

Here are the top 10 health benefits of coffee, taken from a list of 19 benefits published by Caffeine Informer. Each of these items is documented on their website via links to scientific studies.

1. Greater Longevity – Numerous studies from Japan, Greece and the U.S. demonstrate that moderate coffee consumption increases longevity by reducing the risk of premature death due to certain diseases.

2. Reduced Risk of Death by Heart Attack – People who consume two or more cups of coffee daily following a heart attack have a lower risk of dying from a future heart attack.

3. Reduced Risk of Cancer – Studies have shown that moderate coffee consumption can reduce the risk of several different kinds of cancer including colorectal cancer, liver cancer, and melanoma.

4. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Protection – Coffee drinkers are at lower risk for developing both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

5. Lower Risk of Depression and Suicide – Studies of tens of thousands of subjects demonstrate fewer incidents of depression and suicide among moderate coffee drinkers.

6. Lower Risk of Diabetes – People who drink six or more cups of coffee per day are 22% less likely to develop type II diabetes.

7. Protection against Cirrhosis – Coffee drinkers tend to have lower liver enzyme levels, thus promoting a lower risk of developing cirrhosis.

8. Lower Risk of Heart Disease – A Korean study showed that moderate coffee drinkers are less likely to exhibit warning signs of heart disease.

9. Better Oral Health – Research from Brazil found that strong, black coffee may prevent cavities by killing oral bacteria. A U.S. study tracking men over 30 years suggests that coffee has a protective benefit for oral health.

10. Pain Relief – Studies have shown that moderate coffee consumption can reduce muscle pain caused by physical exertion.

Black Coffee Is Best

It should be noted that the majority of the studies involved black coffee. In other words, adding cream and sugar to your daily cup may negate some of its health benefits. Oral health is but one example. While coffee may kill oral bacteria, cream and sugar still promote tooth decay.

Coffee has proven to be good for you if consumed in moderation. If you drink coffee for its health benefits, you now have ten more things to consider. If you drink it just because you like it, that’s okay too. At Galaxie Coffee, it’s all good to us. We’re in the coffee business because we love coffee.

New Study Suggests Coffee Consumption Lowers Mortality Rates

by • Coffee • Tags: , , , , , , , , , , • 0 Comments

New Study Suggests Coffee Consumption Lowers Mortality RatesThere have been numerous coffee studies in the past that indicate America’s favorite hot beverage offers some very definite health benefits in terms of fighting certain kinds of diseases. For example, studies have shown that regular coffee consumption can reduce the risk of some cancers. But now a new study recently released by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health suggests that regular coffee consumption could reduce mortality rates too.

To be clear, drinking coffee does not eliminate the reality of death. The fact is that 100% of people who are born also eventually die. When the researchers suggest that coffee consumption reduces mortality rates, they are suggesting that coffee drinkers are less likely to die of disease instead of old age. Let us look at some of the numbers for clarification.

Researchers studied the coffee-drinking habits of 200,000 women and 50,000 men, some of whom were smokers and drinkers as well. They discovered a 6%-8% lower mortality rate among those who drank up to 3 cups per day (as compared to non-coffee drinkers), a 15% lower mortality rate among those who drank 3 to 5 cups, and a 12% lower mortality rate among those who drank more than 5 cups per day.

In trying to determine why mortality rates were lower among coffee drinkers, the researchers also compared other dietary choices along with lifestyles. They reached no solid conclusions, but they do offer a number of interesting hypotheses, some of which have been supported by other research:

  • Diabetes Risk – There are chemicals in coffee that reduce the risk of diabetes among regular consumers. Coffee has also been shown to help regulate blood sugar – a big problem for diabetics.
  • Heart Disease – Other chemicals in coffee help to reduce inflammation that, the researchers say, can prevent certain kinds of heart disease. Heart disease prevention is also aided by better controlling blood sugar.

It is interesting to note that regular coffee consumers are between 9% and 37% less likely to develop neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Again, researchers have not come up with solid conclusions to explain the phenomenon.

A Popular Beverage for Millennia

We do not often take the time to stop and think about it, but coffee has been a hot beverage of choice for millennia all over the world. Could it be that the health benefits of coffee have something to do with it? Perhaps. At any rate, most of us drink coffee today simply because we enjoy the taste and experience. That’s okay too.

Here at Galaxie Coffee, we are committed to making sure our clients always have their favorite coffees, teas and other beverages readily available. Our office delivery service reaches all of the metropolitan New York City area with a full selection of beverages, office coffee and water equipment, breakroom supplies, and janitorial supplies.

Could coffee consumption offer longer life? It appears that might be the case. So go ahead and enjoy your cup to its fullest.

Latest Studies Reflect Positively on Coffee Consumption

by • Coffee • Tags: , , , , • 0 Comments

Latest Studies Reflect Positively on Coffee ConsumptionIt was not so long ago that science was telling us coffee is bad for one’s health. But then it was good. And then it was bad again. If you are middle-aged or older, you know that the scientific opinion of coffee has flip-flopped more times than a politician on the campaign trail. So where do we stand for 2015? Overall, coffee appears to be beneficial to health in very measurable ways.

A spate of new research has been released over the last 18 months lending credence to the belief that moderate coffee consumption can be a factor in mitigating some serious health concerns. For example:

  • Heart Disease – A South Korean study involving 25,000 coffee drinkers suggests that moderate coffee consumption can reduce the risks of heart disease by inhibiting the buildup of coronary artery calcium.
  • Cancer – Yale researchers published a study this past January that confirmed previous evidence suggesting moderate coffee consumption reduces the risk of basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer).
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS) – Research data released this past February shows a definite link between moderate coffee consumption and lower risk of developing MS. The evidence was especially compelling among long-term coffee drinkers who had been consuming the beverage for 5 to 10 years.

The positive MS research, combined with what science already knows about diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, is leading researchers to take a serious look at the neuroprotective benefits of certain compounds found in coffee. There is growing speculation that some of these compounds could be used to treat a range of dementia disorders.

The Bad News about Coffee

In the introduction to this post, we said that coffee appears to be beneficial to health “on the whole.” We phrased it that way because not all of the research on coffee is positive. There is some bad news.

First of all, studies seem to indicate that how a person’s body reacts to coffee consumption directly relates to how beneficial it is. In addition, how a person responds is apparently linked to genetics. Some people are more genetically predisposed to the health benefits of coffee than others are.

Second, moderate consumption is considered between three and five cups per day. Furthermore, researchers consider a single cup of coffee to be 8 ounces. A person drinking three to four 16-ounce cups from the local coffee shop every day is consuming more than is considered beneficial. The amount of caffeine associated with that much coffee is likely to have some adverse health effects as well.

Lastly, it is possible that adding sugar and calorie-rich creamers to coffee can offset some of its health benefits. The best way to maximize the positives appears to be drinking 3 to 5 cups of black coffee daily.

Galaxie Coffee believes there are few things better than a really good cup of coffee. We strive to always provide a great coffee experience for our satisfied customers throughout the greater New York area.

Five Health Benefits of Coffee Consumption

by • Coffee • Tags: , , • 0 Comments

Five Health Benefits of Coffee ConsumptionDo you remember the “I gave up coffee” slogan of the late 1970s and early 80s? Many American consumers were ceasing to drink the world’s staple hot beverage thanks to flawed research that linked coffee consumption with heart disease and cancer. The problem with that old research is that it never took into account other bad habits, including tobacco use and lack of exercise. New, more refined research now shows there are multiple health benefits that come with daily coffee consumption.

For the record, WebMD explains that coffee research comes down to asking people about their consumption habits. In other words, it is largely observational in nature. Having said that, here are five of the health benefits of coffee consumption upon which medical science agrees:

1. Prevention of Type II Diabetes

Studies at Harvard University and UCLA suggest that regular coffee consumption can reduce the risk of developing type II diabetes. The Harvard researchers believe increasing consumption from one cup to 1.69 cups per day reduces diabetes risk by as much as 11%.

2. Liver Disease/Liver Cancer

The liver is an organ that helps to filter toxins out of the bloodstream while also producing some of the chemicals needed for digestion. Research suggests regular coffee consumption reduces the risk of certain liver diseases, including cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. Researchers from Italy believe regular coffee consumption reduces the risk of developing liver cancer by 40% to 50%.

3. Better Heart Health

Dual studies from Harvard and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center showed the health benefits of coffee relating to heart disease are significant. The research indicates that moderate coffee consumption can reduce the risk of heart failure by as much as 11%.

4. Prevention/Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease

Multiple U.S. studies have shown a link between moderate coffee consumption and preventing or treating Parkinson’s disease. One study showed a reduced risk of Parkinson’s among moderate coffee drinkers; another study showed that coffee could help treat the symptoms of those who already have the disease.

5. Prevention of Stroke

One of the more recently released studies followed more than 83,000 coffee drinkers in Japan. The study found that those consuming coffee on a regular basis were 20% less likely to suffer stroke, compared to those who consume coffee only occasionally.

Beyond the five health benefits of coffee we listed here, there are other things to consider. For example, black coffee is a great beverage choice for those who are trying to limit their calorie intake. Black coffee has only about 2 calories for an 8-ounce cup. Coffee is also rich in antioxidants, which, some scientists believe, are vitally important to good health and disease prevention.

Here at Galaxie, we believe the health benefits of coffee are definitely something worth considering. If you are interested in office coffee service for your workplace, please give us a call. We service the greater New York area with a full range of hot and cold beverages, paper accessories, and more.