Well hey! Thanks for stopping by. Got all your Christmas shopping done yet? I'm working on mine. 2-3 more to pick up and that'll be it. Can't buy any big items this year because we'll be taking the train to Ajax, near Toronto thus saving myself a 4 hour drive each way. Last year it was miserable coming back and since then, of course, I went through my triple bypass op so Nong and I are going to relax on the train. Got yourself a coffee yet? While I'm ranting, mosey over to the coffeepot and pour yourself a mugga. Snag a virtual treat, too. Speaking of coffee...
Over half (54 percent) of American adults (likely the same here in Canada and maybe even higher in Europe) consume coffee each day,
according to a survey by the National Coffee Association. It’s no surprise that
such a popular beverage has a reputation for stirring up controversy among
health experts.
But research has shown that, absent unhealthy additives, drinking a
moderate amount of coffee could bestow some serious brain benefits, both
short-and long-term, including:
A momentary mental jolt: One of caffeinated coffee’s most popular perks
is its ability to temporarily kick start your mental processing power. The
primary mechanism by which it achieves this nearly miraculous feat is by
preventing adenosine—a chemical that causes sleepiness when it builds up in the
brain—from binding to special receptors on your neurons (brain cells). Instead,
the caffeine latches on to these receptors, leaving the adenosine with no place
to accumulate. Caffeine also elevates your overall mood and amps your
adrenaline.
Inflammation inhibition: Polyphenols—a powerful class of antioxidants found
in fruits, Mediterranean diet foods, and plant-based beverages such as tea,
juice and red wine—are also prevalent in coffee. Polyphenols are thought to aid
in the prevention of osteoporosis, cancer and heart disease. The polyphenols in
coffee may also help reduce inflammation in two key areas of the brain: the
cortex and the hippocampus.
Protection against Alzheimer’s: Coffee may even provide a cushion
against the effects of Alzheimer’s, according to new research, presented at the
2014 Alzheimer Europe Annual Conference. Adults who consistently indulge in
three to five cups of joe per day (the average American drinks just over three,
nine-ounce cups daily) could see as much as a 20 percent decrease in their
Alzheimer’s risk, say study authors. With the aid of inflammation-reducing
polyphenols, caffeine helps the brain by slowing the formation of beta amyloid
plaques and tau tangles, two components that have been strongly linked to
Alzheimer’s disease.
Better functioning for a lifetime: A group of researchers from the
National Institute on Aging found that men and women age 70 and older did
better on mental functioning tests when they had caffeine.
The bottom line is that, as much as we’d like to believe otherwise,
there’s no surefire way to completely shield the brain from the effects of
aging and chronic disease. However, a balanced diet, paired with a cup or two
of coffee, may help prime your mind for optimal health over the long run.
So there you go. Learn something new every day, with your coffee and you're having a 'caffo' day.
Gotta go. Got some carrot and sweet potato soup brewing on the stove!
See ya, eh!
Bob
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