By Delia LLoyd.
Source:www.huffingtonpost.com/delia-lloyd/health-benefits-of-coffee_b_986806.html

Ever have one of those mornings where you wake up, jump in the shower, turn on the radio and hear the best news you’ve gotten in ages?

No, not world peace, but close.

Apparently, coffee is now good for you. It holds a host of physical — not to mention psychological — benefits which scientists are only now beginning to appreciate.

In a household where our espresso machine holds a hallowed place, this is definitely grounds for rejoicing. I haven’t been this excited since I learned that sugar made a comeback.

So hear ye, hear ye: Five reasons to drink (more!) coffee:

1. It reduces depression in women. This just in. A new study out of Harvard University shows that women who regularly drink coffee — the fully caffeinated kind — have a 20 percent lower risk of depression than nondrinkers. This comes on the heels of previous research showing that the risk of suicide decreases with increased coffee consumption.

2. It lowers the risk of lethal prostate cancer in men. But it’s not just the ladies who will benefit from more java. In another study out of Harvard (what are they drinking there? ahem!), men who drank six or more cups per day had a 60 percent lower risk of developing the most lethal type of prostate cancer, and a 20 percent lower risk of forming any type of prostate cancer compared to men who did not drink coffee. Given that prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, that’s nothing to sneeze at.

3. It may protect against head and neck cancers. A study from the University of Utah showed that people who drank more than four cups of coffee a day had a 39 percent decreased risk of cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx combined, compared with those who didn’t drink coffee. Regular consumption of coffee has also been linked to a lower risk for brain tumors, reduced rates of colorectal and endometrial cancer, as well as liver cancer and cirrhosis.

4. It may ward off Alzheimer’s disease. Several studies looking at how caffeine affects brain development in mice have confirmed that caffeine significantly decreases abnormal levels of the protein linked to Alzheimer’s disease. When aged mice bred to develop symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease were given caffeine — the equivalent of five cups of coffee a day — their memory impairment was reversed, according to a report issued by the Florida Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centre. Should these results be replicated on humans, it might suggest coffee as an effective treatment for this disease, rather than just a protective strategy.

5. It appears to stave off diabetes. Numerous studies have shown that coffee may be protective against Type 2 Diabetes, although the precise mechanism is not well understood. An analysis in the Archives of Internal Medicine, for example, found that people who drink three to four cups of coffee a day are 25 percent less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than those who drink fewer than two cups. In the U.S. alone, nearly 24 million children and adults — nearly 8 percent of the population — have diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease and accounts for about 90 to 95 percent of these cases.

Whether these studies will prove robust in coming years — or be cancelled out by some of caffeine’s adverse effects on things like sleep and high blood pressure — remains to be seen.

But I’m going to blithely hedge my bets and carry on enjoying my cuppa (or two).

Latte or Cappucino?

Source: Journal of Hepatology June 201; Volume 54, Issue 6, Pages 1123-1129

When looking at chronic hepatitis, evidence points to a relationship between caffeine consumption and improved liver tissue and lab results. Wanting to know more about this, a French team examined the impact of caffeine consumption on the liver in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection (HCV). There were 238 study subjects all with HCV (154 men and 84 women). Participants averaged about 408 mg of caffeine daily, mostly in the form of coffee (2 cups dally). Data were independently analyzed to remove other factors, such as alcohol and cigarette use.

The Bottom Line: Patients with HCV who drank the most coffee (3 or more cups a day) tended to have the least amount of inflammation of the liver cells. Researchers did not find a strong association between caffeine consumption and liver fibrosis progression, and suggest further studies. These findings suggest that caffeine or coffee may offer some protection to the liver.

Editorial Comment: There have been quite a few studies looking at the relationship between coffee consumption and HCV. For instance, research published in the June 2011 issue of Gastroenterology showed that HCV patients who drank three or more cups of coffee daily were three times more likely to respond to HCV treatment than patients who didn’t drink coffee.

Since coffee is made of more than a thousand constituents, it is impossible to state which component might be related to lower inflammation scores, or if the reason is related to the coffee at all. For instance, perhaps there is something else that coffee drinkers do or take that is related to improved liver inflammation. A double blind, randomized placebo-controlled study using caffeine would be an excellent tool for gaining more understanding about this.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13430219

Coffee has been linked to a reduced risk of dying from prostate cancer in a study of nearly 50,000 US men.

Those who drank six or more cups a day were found to be 20% less likely to develop any form of the disease – which is the most common cancer in men.

They were also 60% less likely to develop an aggressive form which can spread to other parts of the body.

But charities say the evidence, reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, is still unclear.

They do not recommend that men take up coffee drinking in the hope of preventing prostate cancer.
Unknown compounds

The study looked at about 48,000 men in the US who work as health professionals.

Every four years between 1986 and 2006, they were asked to report their average daily intake of coffee.

During this 20-year period, 5,035 of the men were diagnosed with prostate cancer, including 642 fatal cases.

No difference was seen between caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, suggesting caffeine itself was not the cause.

But even relatively small amounts of coffee – one to three cups per day – were found to lower the risk of lethal prostate cancer by 30%.

The researchers think there may be unknown compounds in coffee that protect against the disease.

Lead researcher Dr Kathryn Wilson, from the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, said: “At present we lack an understanding of risk factors that can be changed or controlled to lower the risk of lethal prostate cancer.

“If our findings are validated, coffee could represent one modifiable factor that may lower the risk of developing the most harmful form of prostate cancer.”

Commenting on the study, Dr Helen Rippon of The Prostate Cancer Charity, said other studies had not shown the link and the research evidence was still unclear.

She added: “Although this study is a welcome addition to our knowledge, it is far from definitive and we would not recommend men who are not already habitual coffee drinkers to become so in the hope of preventing prostate cancer.

The data
* Previous studies have shown no clear link between coffee and prostate cancer risk
* Men who drank six or more cups of coffee per day had a slightly lower risk of any form of prostate cancer and a substantially lower risk of lethal prostate cancer compared with non-coffee drinkers, according to the researchers
* Both caff and decaff were associated with similar risks

“Heavy caffeine intake is associated with other health problems and men with benign prostate problems might well make urinary symptoms worse.”

Yinka Ebo, senior health information officer at Cancer Research UK, said: “There’s no need for men to start drinking gallons of coffee in an attempt to lower their prostate cancer risk.

“A number of other studies looking at coffee and prostate cancer have found that drinking coffee does not affect the risk of the disease, and this study only found a lower risk of advanced prostate cancer in men who drank more than six cups a day.

“We would need to see these results repeated in other large studies before we can be sure whether coffee consumption affects the risk of prostate cancer.”

http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Decalcify-your-Espresso-Machine—Locating-the-Best-Decalcifying-Agent/2350886

By: John Littner

If you own an espresso maker, it is imperative that you know how to decalcify espresso machines. Decalcifying your espresso machine is a crucial element of regular maintenance and if overlooked can lead to poor tasting espresso and irreversible damage to your machine. Keep reading to learn more regarding how to decalcify your espresso machine and which decalcifying agents you should use.
Why Decalcification is Imperative

As time goes on, the tap water that you use to brew your espresso can create calcium, magnesium, and other minerals to mass together on the interior of you machine. These minerals continue to build up as more and more tap water moves through the machine. They can disrupt water flow and affect the general taste of your espresso.

However, if you don’t decalcify your espresso machine frequently, this buildup can get to the point where it impedes your machine’s lines. Once this happens, the interior of your machine can begin to corrode, thus causing enduring damage. Many machines have been rendered entirely useless due to calcium buildup and corrosion. This is why it is especially crucial to decalcify your espresso machine at least every few months.

How Espresso Machine Decalcification Works

Fortunately there are numerous products out there which have been created especially to decalcify your espresso machine. Decalcifying agents frequently come as a liquid, and are discharged into the water basin and pass through a decalcification cycle. Numerous espresso makers have a decalcification cycle built in while others just treat the decalcification process as an aspect of the brewing cycle. In the end, instructions are usually presented in your machine’s instruction guide or with your container of decalcifying agent.

Vinegar and Citric Acid as Decalcifying Agents

There has been much misinformation spread recently regarding utilizing vinegar or citric acid to decalcify your espresso machine. While they both have decalcifying aspects they can create other problems with your machine. Most notably, vinegar has a pervasive smell which can be absorbed into your machine’s components, thus causing a poor taste in your espresso. It can take a long time to get the smell of vinegar out of your machine. Citric Acid on the other hand can form a residue that blocks the lines and valves of your machine, sealing in lime deposits further.

Therefore, it is imperative to properly decalcify your espresso machine by using a decalcifying agent that was produced especially for espresso makers.

With all these considerations to make, it is crucial to make an informed decision prior purchasing an espresso machine decalcifier.

Source: http://blog.seattlecoffeegear.com/2011/02/04/keeping-you-and-your-machine-healthy/
By: Allison

We’ve heard concerns from customers on whether or not they should worry about trace amounts of lead or metal poisoning within their machines’ boilers and parts. So we’re going to break down the makeup of particular metals that are housed within your unit to ease your mind — and your fears of caffeine withdrawal.

Water corrosion is where it all begins and understanding your machine and what conditions cause corrosion — oxygen, water, metal and a catalyst — will help you manage and maintain your espresso machine.

Aluminum

Used for some espresso machine boilers and stovetop espresso makers as it heats up the fastest, ‘aluminum is protected from corrosion by increasing the amount of naturally occurring aluminum oxide (Aluminum + Oxygen) on its surface.’

As a mixture of metals, also referred to as an alloy, and under ideal circumstances, Sergio Louissant of LatteMaestro.com explains that this combination protects the aluminum but also has a quicker turn around time in breaking down the aluminum oxide causing the aluminum to corrode.

Chloride in tap water wears down the catalyst that breaks the shield that is the oxide layer between the metal and boiler water, as stated in a piece in the JL Hufford Coffee Tea Supporter Forum. This causes damage to aluminum parts over time so it is best to use filtered water or to regularly clean and descale your machine to slow down the deterioration process.

However, even though machines with aluminum parts are less expensive, that doesn’t mean they’re frowned upon. With its ability to maintain good resistance against corrosion, it just may take more of a closer eye and knowledge to understand the chemistry of it’s maintenance and when its time to switch out parts to prevent the quick deterioration of this material. Because the connection between aluminum and degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s is still unclear, many folks try to avoid aluminum as a precaution.

Stainless Steel

Very resistant to corrosion, stainless steel can be found in Saeco, Nespresso and Capresso machines. But its downfall is being the life of the party when it comes to hosting bacteria for a longer period of time on its surface compared to any other metal.

However, bacteria aside, since you won’t be cutting, dicing or chopping any raw meat on or with stainless steel espresso machine boilers and parts, as long as you keep the stainless steel within your machine clean, this material is ideal for espresso machines as it provides excellent heat retention and assures rapid steam function.

Brass/Copper

Unlike stainless steel and aluminum, espresso machines that use copper/brass boilers and parts, such as Lelit, Rocket, Rancilio, Quick Mill, Pasquini, LaPavoni and Francis Francis, not only act like a repellent to those grimy germs and retain heat longer, but they also are the most resistant to corrosion than any other metal.

However, even with it’s popularity in higher end machines, some users are still left worried about the lead content in brass boilers.

While lead is added to some brasses, most manufacturers plate brass with nickel, such as Rocket Espresso, preventing any lead from leaching into water, reducing corrosion and acting as a barrier between brass and water.

But taking extra care when it comes to lead in products, it was in October of 1999 that the California State Attorney General sued 13 key manufacturers and distributors over lead content, leading to the reduction of lead content to 1.5 percent from it’s original 2 to 3 percent in products sold within that state. Following this action manufacturers were asked to reduce lead or to follow the requirement to warn consumers about lead content even if it didn’t have the ability to leach into materials such as water.

Hopefully this trend will catch up to the rest of the 49 states in the U.S. but for now, whether you choose a machine with aluminum, stainless steel or brass, taking precaution is key but knowing how your machine works and what it reacts well with will also keep you happy, healthy and caffeinated.

Source: http://www.healthhubarticles.com/is-your-automatic-espresso-machine-knowledge-sufficient/
By: John Jammy

Have you considered a cup of espresso to start your day? It may provide you with a necessary pick-me-up. You may enjoy the pleasant aroma of freshly made espresso. You may have other reasons to enjoy that cup of espresso. An espresso coffee machine may provide health benefits. Here are some things to consider.

Coffee has antioxidants that may be beneficial to your heart. Espresso coffee is made quickly. The same process that concentrates caffeine also concentrates the beneficial antioxidants. There has been much written on antioxidants and their effect on healthy tissue. During normal aging, oxidation occurs in the cells. The culprits are molecules known as free radicals. These free radicals will eventually wear down and destroy cells. Antioxidants help to delay that process. This can make coffee beneficial for preventing many diseases.

Coffee drinkers have a less chance of developing Type 2 diabetes. There may also be a reduced chance of liver disorders, like cirrhosis. This may lead to a decreased chance for liver cancer.

People that drink a few cups of coffee every day may have less chance of developing Parkinson’s disease. This does not mean that is a cure. It does not constitute a treatment for disease, also. It simply means that you may have less chance of developing certain diseases. It is not a substitute for proper medical treatment. You should always seek medical advice for your health.

Espresso machines are quiet. They are simple to operate and maintain. You may not know that it is making coffee for you. That can be appreciated in the mornings. They are also easy to clean. This can save you valuable time in the mornings.

Your machine should give you years of good service. You can save a lot of money, also. It is cheaper than stopping at a coffee shop. If you add your savings up, it may be substantial in a year’s time.

That morning cup of espresso coffee may come with many benefits. The aroma and taste may be a pleasant addition to your morning. It may help to wake you up. There are also health benefits with your coffee. You can have less chance of developing diseases like liver disorders and heart disease. Having your own espresso coffee machine can mean big savings over coffee shop espresso. These machines are also very easy to operate. They are durable and are very quiet. You can buy them online or at many local retailers.

Source: http://healthland.time.com/2010/11/02/a-man-dies-after-overdosing-on-caffeine/?xid=huffpo-direct
By Meredith Melnick

Caffeine — the seemingly benign stimulant found in coffee, energy drinks, soda and even chocolate — has been implicated in the death of a 23-year-old British man, who reportedly overdosed on caffeine powder he purchased on the Internet.

America’s favorite drug has gotten a lot of bad press lately. In September, a Kentucky man who allegedly murdered his wife used caffeine intoxication as his defense, claiming he’d overconsumed energy drinks and diet pills, which led him to become mentally unstable and confess falsely. (More on Time.com: 4 Reasons Binge Drinking Is a Public Health Problem)

In October, a spate of alcohol-poisoning cases on U.S. college campuses were attributed to caffeinated malt liquor drinks, most notably an incident at Central Washington University in which 10 students were rushed to the hospital after indulging in too many fruit-flavored Four Loko drinks. Now college administrators, lawmakers and public-health advocates want caffeinated alcoholic drinks banned.

Last week, according to AOL Health, it came to light that Michael Lee Bedford, the British man, died after consuming “spoonfuls” of caffeine powder at a party with friends. AOL Health reports that Bedford had the equivalent of 70 energy drinks in his system at the time of his death in April. According to Dr. Eric Braverman, a lethal dose of caffeine would be about 10,000 milligrams — or 100 cups of coffee — the website reports. For more about the effects of caffeine overconsumption, see the AOL Health site.