Have you tried drying some bitter leaf as I explained? Recently, a friend of mine took me on a walk and she decided to show me the place she always talked about where talinum triangulare (water leaf) grew in abundance. When we got there, we ended up getting a whole sack of water leaf! I spoke with a woman who resided in the area and she told me how residents enjoyed a fresh supply of water leaf all year round even in dry season. She also said that people who sold vegetables would come there to get water leaf to sell. Nature gives freely! May our hearts embrace nature’s magnanimity.
I will be talking about coffee this week. Let us go on memory lane. It is believed that coffee was discovered in Ethiopia in AD 850 by a herdsman named Kaldi. While in his field one day, he caught sight of his goats acting excitedly near a bush. Upon further observation, he found the goats eating what appeared to be red berries (coffee cherries). Kaldi also ate the berries. After experiencing a similar feeling of elation and energy, he brought the berries to local monks. They came up with the idea of drying and boiling the cherries to make a beverage, hence the birth of coffee. From here, the energising effects of coffee gradually became known around the world.
Coffee is a beverage brewed from the roasted and ground seeds of tropical evergreen coffee plants. Roasted beans have a stronger and richer taste and aroma. So, the reason your coffee beverage has that inviting aroma is that the coffee beans are roasted. People who take green coffee can testify to the fact that it does not smell like a regular coffee beverage. The reason is because it is unroasted.
Coffee contains a number of useful nutrients, including riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), magnesium, potassium, and various phenolic compounds or antioxidants. Some experts suggest that these and other ingredients in coffee can benefit the human body in various ways. The four main coffee types are Arabica, Robusta, Excelsa, and Liberica and all four of them have radically different taste profiles. Arabica is the most popular and well-known type of coffee bean. It is the most commonly produced variety and is considered higher quality beans. In fact, over 60% of the coffee beans in the world are Arabica variety. I also wish to tell you that coffee is grown in this country. In fact, it is part of the crops that the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) conducts high-quality research on.
In 1991, coffee was included in a list of possible carcinogens by the World Health Organization. By 2016, it was exonerated, as research found that the beverage was not associated with an increased risk of cancer; on the contrary, there was a decreased risk of certain cancers among those who drink coffee regularly once their smoking history was adequately accounted for. Additional accumulating research suggests that when consumed in moderation, coffee can be considered a healthy beverage.
Caffeine is a stimulant, which means it increases activity in your brain and nervous system. It also increases the circulation of chemicals such as cortisol and adrenaline in the body. In small doses, caffeine can make you feel refreshed and focused. In large doses, caffeine can make you feel anxious and have difficulty sleeping. Caffeine in coffee has a bad reputation, still, there are several studies showing many health benefits of consuming the beverage in moderation.
Frank Hu, the Chair of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, in an April 5, 2021 article in Discover, said, “The overall evidence has been pretty convincing that coffee has been more healthful than harmful in terms of health outcomes.” He went on to say that, “for most people, moderate coffee consumption can be incorporated into a healthy diet.”
- It boosts energy levels
A single cup of regular coffee contains about 95mg of caffeine. It can help you feel less tired and increase your energy level. Coffee contains caffeine, a central nervous system stimulant that is known for its ability to fight fatigue and increase energy levels. This is because caffeine blocks the receptors of a neurotransmitter called adenosine and this increases levels of other neurotransmitters in your brain that regulate your energy levels, including dopamine. A study showed that consuming caffeine before and during a round of golf improved performance, increased subjective energy levels and reduced feelings of fatigue.
- It may be linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes
Some research suggests that consuming coffee regularly can be associated with a decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes over a long term. In fact, one review of 30 studies found that each cup of coffee people consumed per day was linked to a 6% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This is thought to be due to coffee’s ability to preserve the function of the beta cells in the pancreas, which are responsible for producing insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. It is also rich in antioxidants and may affect insulin sensitivity, inflammation and metabolism — all of which are involved in the development of type 2 diabetes.
- It supports brain health
Although studies have turned up with mixed results, some research suggests that coffee may help protect against certain neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. According to one review of 13 studies, people who regularly consumed caffeine had a significantly lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Caffeine consumption also slowed the progression of Parkinson’s disease over time. Another review of 11 observational studies in more than 29,000 people also found that the more coffee people consumed, the lower their risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, several studies have demonstrated that moderate coffee consumption could be associated with a lower risk of dementia and cognitive decline.
- It may promote weight management
According to some research, coffee could alter fat storage and support gut health, both of which may be beneficial for weight management. For example, a review of 12 studies concluded that higher coffee consumption could be associated with decreased body fat, especially in men. In another study, increased coffee intake was linked to decreased body fat in women.
Furthermore, a study found that people who drank one to two cups of coffee per day were 17% more likely to meet recommended physical activity levels, compared with those who drank less than one cup per day. Higher levels of physical activity could help promote weight management.
A study titled, ‘Coffee Drinking and Reduced Risk of Liver Cancer: Update on Epidemiological Findings and Potential Mechanisms,’ by Manami Inoue et al, concludes that accumulated evidence, with consistency across study designs and populations, suggests that coffee intake probably reduces the risk of liver cancer.
A study titled, ‘The Effect of Caffeine on the Risk and Progression of Parkinson’s Disease: A Meta-Analysis,’ by Chien Tai Hong et al, concludes that caffeine is associated with a low risk of developing PD in healthy individuals and the deceleration in the progression of motor symptoms in patients with PD …. To be continued
Credit: Olufunke Faluyi