by Shannon
(Iowa, USA)
Shannon's question...
Interesting Fact: A study was done comparing the effects on LDL cholesterol (the bad stuff), of filtered coffee versus unfiltered coffee and it was shown that unfiltered coffee raised LDL levels while filtered coffee had no effect. This is because the paper filter mostly removes the culprit chemicals responsible for raising the levels of bad cholesterol.
The effect of coffee is affected by your genes.
You may not know that there is a hereditary component to how coffee affects you, which can muddy the waters with regard to whether or not you should drink coffee.
Recently, I had my DNA tested as part of a project my kids were doing to trace our family history. Just for fun, they also looked at some of the genetic components that might affect my health. It turns out that with my genetics, drinking coffee may help protect me from certain types of breast cancer.
That’s good.
However, I have another genetic component that suggests that because of the way I metabolize caffeine, drinking coffee may increase my risk of a non-fatal heart attack.
Hmm…
Now you can clearly see the dilemma. On the one hand I should drink coffee to help prevent breast cancer. On the other hand, drinking coffee may lead to cardiovascular issues for me.
I know that most people have not had their DNA tested. Even if they have, it is important to note in this discussion that there is more we don’t know about genetics than we know so, stay tuned!
Possible adverse effects
For some people, drinking coffee may cause a rise in blood pressure, insomnia,
Caveat: Some of the studies done on coffee have been funded by the coffee industry who has a vested interest in a positive result. Any researcher will tell you that results of studies can be organized in such a way as to favor a desired outcome. We’d like to think that scientific studies, especially those relating to health issues, do not actually contain falsified information, but where money is involved--and lots of it--who can say?
I hope this helps, Shannon. I am sorry that the answer is not more definitive, but perhaps further research in the coming days will help. In the meantime, if you like coffee, it probably doesn't hurt, in moderation, and it may even help! If you don’t like it, choking it down for possible health benefits is probably not necessary either!
Thanks for visiting our healthy eating website!
Eat and be healthy with my warmest regards,
Suzy Staywell
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