Coffee Talk: Who's Up for a Caffeine Fix?

The French call it cafe. The Chinese refer to it as kafei. Germans have named it kaffee.

Seemingly, coffee has an equivalent term in almost all languages, which, in a nutshell, demonstrates how universal it really is. The favorite drink of most adults has been also become a favorite topic of health debates.

Is coffee harmful, or does it in fact offer benefits?

It has been said that too much caffeine may result to restlessness, nausea, headache, tense muscles, ulcers, and sleep disturbances, which in turn will cause sleep disorders such as insomnia.

Recent research, however, shows that coffee actually has its share of health benefits. For one, drinking two to four cups of coffee, the average dose per day, may lower the risk of some fatal diseases including colon cancer and bladder cancer. The secret? Coffee contains phenols, which lowers this risk. Apart from this, coffee also helps in avoiding gallstones, liver cirrhosis, and Parkinson's disease.

Coffee also contains a number of cancer-fighting anti-oxidants. Experts even say that it contains more than what green tea provides. People suffering asthma and allergy, on the other hand, may find reprieve in drinking coffee, as it only takes a cup to quell any attack, especially if there is no available medicine.

For figure-conscious people, moderate doses of coffee are also recommended to be included in their diets. According to doctors, coffee increases metabolism, which is what every person wishing to lose a pound pines for. In addition, coffee breaks down fats in the body. This makes it possible for fatty acids to be freed, and consequently, available to be burned when one exercises.

Students and employees seem to treat coffee as their best friend, especially when there's a big exam or a major presentation coming up. Scientific studies show that coffee maintains the blood sugar level higher for longer. And we all know that higher blood sugar level smoothens the progress of thinking. Also, coffee does not only improve mental processes, it heightens alertness, as well.

It is no wonder, therefore, why throngs of people seem to fill coffee houses all the time. Because of its benefits, it seems that coffee has become the most popular drink after water. Of course, as any other thing, experts advise moderation. While coffee provides health benefits, an excess of caffeine intake will result to side effects. Your best bet? Check with your doctor and let him advise you how many cups of coffee you can have, and start brewing!