“Mystery Ingredient in Coffee Fights Alzheimer's Disease!”

G’day to you! I have some wonderful news for you today so fill that empty mug in your fist, grab a treat and c’mon a little closer. I just knew there was something extra special about coffee other than the great taste and caffeine buzz.  Well, according to Science Daily, a yet unidentified component of coffee interacts with the beverage's caffeine, which could be why daily coffee intake protects against Alzheimer's disease. A new Alzheimer's mouse study by researchers at the University of South Florida found that this interaction boosts blood levels of a critical growth factor that seems to fight off the Alzheimer's disease process.

The findings appear in the early online version of an article to be published June 28 in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. Using mice bred to develop symptoms mimicking Alzheimer's disease, the USF team presents the first evidence that caffeinated coffee offers protection against the memory-robbing disease that is not possible with other caffeine-containing drinks or decaffeinated coffee.

Previous observational studies in humans reported that daily coffee/caffeine intake during mid-life and in older age decreases the risk of Alzheimer's disease. The USF researchers' earlier studies in Alzheimer's mice indicated that caffeine was likely the ingredient in coffee that provides this protection because it decreases brain production of the abnormal protein beta-amyloid, which is thought to cause the disease.

"Caffeinated coffee provides a natural increase in blood GCSF levels," said USF neuroscientist Dr. Chuanhai Cao, lead author of the study. "The exact way that this occurs is not understood. There is a synergistic interaction between caffeine and some mystery component of coffee that provides this beneficial increase in blood GCSF levels."

The researchers caution that, since they used only "drip" coffee in their studies, they do not know whether "instant" caffeinated coffee would provide the same GCSF response.

The boost in GCSF levels is important, because the researchers also reported that long-term treatment with coffee (but not decaffeinated coffee) enhances memory in Alzheimer's mice. Higher blood GCSF levels due to coffee intake

I’m just giving you exerpts here because the whole article is longer than your average roll of 2-ply T. P. But if you’d care to read the whole epistle to the caffenites, go here:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110621093301.htm

Now I know why that mouse I saw was sitting eating a cheese muffin and sipping a double Mocha Almond Latte! Keep clicking on by for your daily dose of alzheimer’s fighting Arabica!

See ya!

Bob

Comment from Wayne in Quebec re Hendra:

Does that include Batman souvenirs?

Bones

AQIS Response:

“G’Day, sir. Are you takin’ anything out of ‘Stralia?

“Just some Batman souvenirs.”

“And have you been playin’ footy and rollin’ round in a field where there were trees and bats hangin from them, mate?”

“Uh…I’m not sure.”

“What’s that movin’ about in your pocket, there, sir? Mind if we have a look? Ay, Bruce, come ‘ave a look at this. It’s a bloody flyin’ fox in a batman costume. Are you ‘aving us on, then, sir?”

“I just thought it was cute and…”

Have you heard about ‘Hendra’?

Hiya! Thanks for clicking on by today. Glad you could make it. Fresh coffee in the pot and a delectable selection of virtual goodies to tempt you. While you’re munching away, let me tell you a little about Hendra...No, it’s not the late Jimmy Hendrix’s sister! I was watching a program last night about Hendra It is a pretty lethal virus and one that we do not want to see spread in epidemic proportions.

Flying Foxes, known elsewhere as Fruit Bats, are the natural hosts for the Hendra virus. The virus can spread from flying foxes to horses and, very rarely, to people. There is no evidence of human-to-human, human-to-horse or bat-to-human spread of Hendra virus. It apparently spreads from bat urine, feces and mucus dropping onto grass and other vegetation which is then eaten by horses. 

Hendra virus was first isolated in 1994 from an outbreak of disease at a stable in Hendra, Brisbane. Since then, more than 40 cases of Hendra virus in horses have been detected on or east of the Great Dividing Range from Cairns to northern New South Wales. However, Hendra virus could potentially occur wherever there are flying foxes.

Most cases in horses are fatal but occasionally a horse will survive the infection. From what I saw on TV, infected horses become very strange and dangerous. The reported mortality rate in affected horses is greater than 70 per cent. No other animal is known to be infected naturally.

There has been much debate about the role of flying foxes in the spread of this disease. However, culling flying foxes is not an effective way to reduce Hendra virus risk for the following reasons:

• flying foxes are an important part of our natural environment
• flying foxes are widespread in Australia and, as they are highly mobile, it is not feasible to cull them
• culling or dispersing flying foxes in one location could simply transfer the issue to another location
• there are far more effective steps people can take to reduce the risk of Hendra virus infection in horses and humans.

Seven cases of human infection have been recorded, of which four have resulted in death. Humans have become infected from handling infected horses (both before and after they develop clinical signs, as well as during autopsies).

So far, the virus is contained in Australia. AQIS (Australian Quarantine Inspection Service) is very strict on what visitors can take into OZ. They need to be just as strict on what visitors take out. So, if you’re planning a vacation down under, don’t bring home any souvenir Flying Foxes, mate

See ya!

Bob

Countdown At Traffic Lights

Well, hey there! You just light up my day! Coffee’s fresh and so’re the muffins, doughnuts and croissants. Quite a virtual selection for you up on the top shelf. 

The city of Bangkok, which is notorious for traffic jams, has installed timers at busy intersections to let motorists know how long they have to wait for a green light.  The timers were installed to help drivers calm down who may have been waiting at a red light for a long time. I’ve waited up to 20 minutes for a light to change!

Actually, it is not only Bangkok. We have had them them here in the Pattaya-Banglamung area for at least a couple of years now so presumably they are now located throughout the Kingdom.  I think they are great. Now you don’t have to wait and wonder a) if you are can make it through the light, or b) how long before the redlight changes. Sometimes there is even a counter on the amber light. Now, you don’t have to keep your foot on the gas ready to race ahead. You can relax because you know you have exactly 37 seconds to wait. Isn’t knowledge wonderful? Think of the peace of mind it brings. 

 

Of course, there is another side to it. There is one light where, coming off the road onto the main highway, the light is green for 30 seconds. If I am three or four cars back and the lead car takes its time, as often happens, the angst is back!

The digital countdown numbers are what Thailand uses but there is another ‘timer’ kind where there is a circle around the light and this uses the ‘timer’ principle. It’s better than nothing but I like to see the actual numbers so’s I know where I’m at, eh!

See ya!

Bob

Comment from Jenny in Farnborough, England:

Hi bob, I noticed in your picture of khat, there was a chunk missing,( did any one else notice) , come on bob did that little piece go in your arabica coffee, lol . Jenny

Bob’s reply:

Could have gone into my latest batch of purr…fect meow muffins! I can’t seem to remember…

Letting the Khat out of the bag!

And a wonderful day to you, my friend! Nice to see you. Help yourself to a fresh cup of Arabica and a tasty treat from the top shelf. Always choose from the top shelf because calories hate heights. So what are we going to chew on today? Well…let’s not chew on any Khat.

I’m sure you’ve heard of ‘Meth’, a drug popular with teens and nightclubbers. One version is Mephedrone. Like several other stimulant drugs, it owes its existence to a naturally occurring plant. Plant-derived stimulants include cocaine, which occurs naturally in leaves of the coca plant, and caffeine, found naturally in the seeds (beans) of the coffee plant. Mephedrone is not itself a natural product but is closely related to compounds found in the leaves of a plant called khat (Catha edulis). Not surprisingly therefore it is also known as MCAT, meph, drone, miaow, meow, miaow miaow and meow meow.

Khat is a flowering shrub with evergreen leaves, native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It is known by many other names including qat, gat, qaat, mirra and Abyssinian tea. It has been consumed for centuries in this part of the world and the stimulant properties were probably known before those of coffee. 

Khat users take several fresh leaves and crush them in the mouth, tucking the wad of leaves into the cheek, creating a recognisable bulge. The active chemicals are slowly released from the wad of leaves leading to a state of euphoria and arousal. 

Traditionally, khat has been a social drug with its use being similar to those of coffee or alcohol in other cultures. It is also used to combat hunger and physical fatigue and to improve attention. Khat is particularly popular in Yemen, where up to 80% of men and 40% of women chew it regularly. 

Although use of khat may be important socially, it is not without its problems. Some of these include a psychological dependence on the drug, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, effects on the cardiovascular system and oral cancers. People may also spend long periods in a semi-intoxicated state to the detriment of family life and work. Disproportionate amounts of household income may be spent on khat leaving insufficient money for food. And because it is so profitable, growing khat now consumes a large proportion of the agricultural resource of Yemen, particularly irrigation water. 

The stimulant properties of khat do not last very long once the leaves have been picked, and until recently this restricted its use to areas where the plant grows. However, access to air freight and increased knowledge of the plant has made the leaves available in other parts of the world. And although its use remains illegal in many countries, khat is not illegal in the UK and immigrants from Ethiopia, Somalia and Yemen are the principal users. 

Hey, I get enough stimuli from life itself without having to chew on anything other than regular food.

See ya!

Bob

Comment from Dennis in Toronto:

Not to mention, coconut halves are essential in imitating the sound of horses' hooves in Monty Python movies.

Tom Ka Gai (Chicken Soup with Coconut Milk)

Howdy! What a great day, huh? Glad you clicked on by today. Fill your mug and try one of those delicious Banana Coconut muffins. As promised, here is one of my favourite Thai dishes – Tom Ka Gai (Chicken Soup with Coconut Milk):

Ingredients

3/4 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast

3 tbs vegetable oil

2 (14 ounce) cans coconut milk

2 cups water

2 tbs minced fresh ginger root

4 tbs fish sauce

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp ground turmeric

2 tbs thinly sliced green onion

1 tbs chopped fresh coriander (cilantro)

Directions

Cut chicken into thin strips and saute in oil for to 2 to 3 minutes until the chicken turns white.

In a pot, bring coconut milk and water to a boil. Reduce heat. Add ginger, fish sauce, lime juice, cayenne powder and turmeric. Simmer until the chicken is done, 10 to 15 minutes.

Sprinkle with scallions and fresh coriander (cilantro) and serve steaming hot. Serve with white rice… ideally fragrant Thai Jasmine rice.

So go make some already… you should find the ingredients in your supermarket – or an Asian foodstore.

Well, okay, I like coconut muffins, too… come to think of it, I like almost everything made with coconut and / or bananas.

Coconut Banana Muffins

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

2 very ripe bananas, mashed (3/4 cup)

1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted

2/3 cup sugar

1 large egg

1/2 tsp vanilla

3/4 cup flaked coconut


Preparation

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 375°F. Line muffin cups with liners.

Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Whisk together bananas, butter, sugar, egg, vanilla, and 1/2 cup coconut in a large bowl until combined well, then fold in flour mixture until flour is just moistened.

Divide batter among lined muffin cups and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup coconut. Bake until muffins are puffed and golden, about 25 minutes. Transfer muffins to a rack and cool slightly.

See ya!

Bob

The Amazingly Versatile Coconut

Well, there you are. I was wondering if you’d click by today and I’m tickled pink that you did. Fill your mug and try a coconut muffin or a doughnut with coconut sprinkles on it. Take one of each!  The coconut is an amazingly versatile plant, isn’t it? It provides a high-calorie food, potable water, fiber that can be spun into rope, and a hard shell that can be turned into charcoal. 

Every part of the coconut plant has its value to humans; here are some of the many uses of this truly amazing plant:

1. Tableware: The shell of a coconut can be used to make tableware such as bowls, serving tray, spoon or ladle.
2. Fashion accessories : The coconut shell can also be carved out to make fashion accessories like necklaces, bangles, pendants, earrings and so on. In fact, the Hawaiians use coconut shell to make the buttons for their Hawaiian shirts.
3. Furniture: The trunk of the coconut palm can be turned into furniture.
4. Fuel source : The coconut shell and coconut husks are good sources of fuel.
5. Brooms: The midribs of the coconut leaves are usually bundled and tied up with strings to become brooms.
6. Barbecue skewers : The midribs or the coconut leaves can also be used as barbecue skewers.
7. Ropes: The fiber material of coconut husk, which is also known as coir, can be used to make ropes.
8. Brushes : The fiber material of coconut husk can also be used to make brushes which are usually used to scrub floors.
9. Woven products: The coconut leaves can be woven to create products like baskets, bags and mats.
10. Musical instruments : Halved coconut shells are knocked together to make up rhythms and beats. The coconut shells are also used to make the base of musical instruments such as the Chinese “ban-hu” and “yea-hu”.
11. Roof: The dried coconut leaves are used to make roofing materials for tropical huts in the ancient times. However, nowadays roof made up of coconut leaves is still being used for chalets at tourist attractions.
12. Hair oil: Coconut oil is regularly used as natural hair oil by people in some parts of the world like in India and in Southeast Asia. It is believed that coconut oil can promote healthy hair growth and also to treat hair infected by lice.
13. Bridge: The palm wood of the coconut trunk is also used as a bridge to cross river in the olden days.
14. Canoe: The hollowed trunk of coconut palm is used as small canoe by the Hawaiians.
15. Soap: Coconut oil is used as a basic ingredient in some of the cosmetic soap products.
16. Toothpaste: Coconut oil is also used as a basic ingredient to make toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
17. Relieve minor skin irritations : Coconut oil can also be applied to skin to treat minor irritations like insect bites and sunburn.
18. Compost : The fibre of coconut husk is also used as compost in horticulture.
19. Medical benefits of virgin coconut oil: Virgin or pure coconut oil is believed to be beneficial to human. More and more research efforts are being put forward to prove that it has many medicinal values such as an important dietary supplement to boost up immune system, assists constipation or digestive problems, assists weight control, anti-cancer agents, anti-aging properties and many more.
20. Dye : The roots of the coconut plant are used as a dye.

21. Car parts: In 2009, A team of Baylor University researchers developed a way to use coconut husks in automotive interiors for synthetic polyester fibers in compression molded composites. The coconut fibers can be used to make trunk liners, floorboards and interior door covers on cars.

22. Flotation device: Coconuts can keep you afloat.

23. Charcoal: Husks are turned into charcoal for BBQs.

24. Sauces: Coconut milk and cream are used in many foods.

Tomorrow, I’ll share one of my favourite coconut recipes with you.

See ya.

Bob