Myths About Coffee's Health Benefits

Caffeine, like any other foreign substance, has its own set of health benefits and side effects. However a lot of people have their information mixed up and base their knowledge about the effects of coffee to one's health solely on hand-me down information. To straighten things out, here are some coffee health myths and the actual fact behind it:

1.Drinking unfiltered coffee increases caffeine's health risks.

Studies suggest that drinking unfiltered coffee, those prepared in French Presses, can cause an increase in bad cholesterol (LDL) and homocysteine levels, leading to a 10% increase in risks of heart diseases. However, homocysteine levels in people who drink filtered coffee were found to be just the same as those who drank unfiltered coffee.

2.Three cups of regular coffee a day can help improve memory retention.

Studies have shown that caffeine in coffee can temporarily enhance a person's focusing and recalling ability. However, different results came up for different genders. Women aged 65 and older who took more than three cups of coffee a day showed 33% less decline in memory compared to those who drank only a cup a day. Men, on the other hand, did not show such promising results. It has been attributed to the fact that men and women digest caffeine differently.

3.Coffee causes stomach ulcers.

A lot of people, especially the elderly, are convinced that coffee can cause stomach ulcers supposedly because coffee can add to the stomach acids already upsetting your stomach. Coffee doesn't cause the ulcer on it's own, but it can add to your stomach acids and worsen an already existing ulcer.

You may think that you know a lot of things about coffee and its supposed health benefits and effects, but you might want to think that over again because you might actually be under the wrong impression.

Weight Loss By Coffee – Does It Work?

The average American takes about three cups of coffee within the day. Some do it to jump start their day, while some drink it to wind down after a long day. Some take to keep themselves awake, while some take it improve endurance. But little did we know that coffee can also be helpful in shedding excess weight.

It might take a lot of convincing before people start letting go of their Xenicals and believe that coffee can be an effective weight-loss beverage, but here are some important pointers to explain how coffee can help you lose those extra pounds:

Caffeine, found in coffee, can help speed up metabolism. It if with a boosted metabolic rate that one burns calories faster and lose weight in the process. Because it is an effective metabolism booster, it is used as an active ingredients in a lot of over-the-counter diet pills.

Caffeine aids in fat oxidation. Fat oxidation is the process wherein fat is broken down, freeing fatty acids that the body can easily burn into energy. The said process of energy conversion is increased by 30 percent for people who take coffee or other caffeine-based products before exercise. The only thing is, the increased fat burn only occurs when you start working out.

Caffeine can act as an appetite suppressant. While you burn more fat because of the caffeine you took before working out, essential substances like glycogen, glucose, and amino acids remain reserved. This makes the blood sugar level remain constant for a longer period of time. When one has low blood sugar, you start feeling hungry. On the other hand, high blood glucose levels can help stave off hunger.

You must understand that it is the caffeine in coffee that aids in losing weight, not the coffee itself. And although coffee is our biggest source of caffeine daily, it would help to find other caffeine sources if you aim to use it to facilitate in your goals of weight loss.