An old citizen chatted me up after last week’s publication. He told me he does not take coffee and in his words, he said, “The challenge is that coffee’s aroma overpowers its drinkers’ decorum for moderation in drinking, so for me, flee from it. Look for beverages that have equal health benefits”
I quite agree with him on how captivating coffee’s aroma is. If one is not careful, the aroma will push one to go overboard with the consumption.
However, there are life lessons to be learnt here. Let coffee consumption teach you self-discipline. You should always restrain yourself from drinking too much. Also, like they say, every cloud has a silver lining, as bad as we think coffee is, it is still chock full of nutrients that give a lot of health benefits.
Aside from its health benefits, caffeine is also part of the coffee plant’s chemical weaponry to defend itself against predators and competitors. Remember that plants cannot defend themselves with limbs or run away from danger. It may also interest you to know that coffee is not alone in this, caffeine is found in the leaves, seeds and fruits of many plants, including tea leaves, cocoa beans, chocolate and kola nuts. Some types of chewing gums, energy drinks and even the common pain-relieving medications that you use contain caffeine.
If coffee is taken in moderation, one can still reap the benefits.
Last week, I started discussions on its benefits. Let us see more:
- Linked to a lower risk of depression
Some studies have found that drinking coffee could be associated with a lower risk of depression. According to one review of seven studies, each cup of coffee people consumed per day was linked to an 8% lower risk of depression. Another study found that drinking at least four cups of coffee each day was associated with a significantly lower risk of depression.
- Could protect against liver conditions
One study found that drinking more than two cups of coffee per day was linked to lower rates of liver scarring and liver cancer in people with liver disease. Another recent study found that coffee consumption was associated with decreased liver stiffness, which is a measure healthcare professionals use to assess fibrosis, the formation of scar tissue in the liver.
- It can increase longevity
- May enhance athletic performance
For many people, a morning cup of coffee helps them wake up and stay energised. What you may not realise is that it may also be used as a skin-awakening ingredient. Coffee scrubs or masks when used on the skin hold high significance in treating the various signs of ageing including wrinkles, fine lines, blemishes and hyperpigmentation.
A coffee mask reduces skin inflammation and enhances blood circulation which tightens blood vessels and gives the skin a more radiant and brighter glow. Coffee is a natural exfoliator that gently pulls out dead skin cells and impurities from the skin’s deepest layers, thus giving you a radiant glow. It is a skin brightener, it protects against harsh sun rays, and it contains niacin (vitamin B3) which may help prevent non-melanoma skin cancers and can prevent other skin growths. It has anti-ageing benefits, gets rid of puffy eyes, enhances blood circulation and helps treat acne.
Let us see some ways to use coffee for the skin:
- Coffee face mask
In a bowl, add two tablespoons of ground coffee and two tablespoons of aloe vera gel. Mix the ingredients well to make a paste. Once you are done, apply the mixture to your face and leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes. Rinse off with cold water.
- Coffee eye mask
To reduce the appearance of eye bags, blend a teaspoon of coffee with a teaspoon of olive oil and make a thick paste. Gently pat this paste under your eyes and leave it for about 10 minutes. Rinse off gently and you will notice a difference.
- Coffee body scrub
For an exfoliating body scrub, mix ¼ cup of fresh coffee grounds, ¼ cup of brown sugar and some lemon juice to get the desired consistency. You can add a few drops of water to make a paste-like texture. Use this scrub all over your body. Remember to use a gentle circular motion while scrubbing. Leave it for 5-10 minutes and then rinse. Wipe and use a good moisturizing lotion.
- Coffee and egg white exfoliating face mask
Crack open an egg and separate the white from the yolk. Whip the egg white in a bowl, add a tablespoon of coffee and mix it. Apply to your face. Allow the face mask to dry for 10 – 15 minutes and wash off the facial mask using lukewarm water once it is dry.
According to Dr Rinky Kapoor, Consultant Dermatologist, Cosmetic Dermatologist and Dermato-Surgeon, The Esthetic Clinics, Mumbai, India, “Coffee is slowly making its way up the ladder of preferred skincare ingredients.
“The reason is that it is a rich source of antioxidants that benefit the skin in a multitude of ways”
Decaffeinated coffee, commonly called decaf, has much less caffeine than regular coffee. For people who do not tolerate caffeine well, decaf coffee may be a better option because it has most of the same health benefits as regular coffee but none of the side effects. Coffee has different substances in it apart from caffeine that can positively affect health.
Coffee and polyphenol consumption was associated with low facial pigmented spots in Japanese middle-aged females. So, a study titled “Skin photoprotection and consumption of coffee and polyphenols in healthy middle-aged Japanese females” by Yoichi Fukushima et al, concludes that coffee helps protect human skin from photo ageing and polyphenols, including chlorogenic acids, may contribute to the decreased hyperpigmentation of pigmented spots.
A study titled “The potential effects of chlorogenic acid, the main phenolic components in coffee, on health: A comprehensive review of the literature” by Narges Tajik et al concludes that the wide range of potential health benefits of CGA, including its anti-diabetic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity impacts may provide a non-pharmacological and non-invasive approach for treatment or prevention of some chronic diseases.
If you are susceptible to the effects of caffeine, even small amounts may prompt unwanted effects such as migraines, insomnia, nervousness, irritability, restlessness, frequent urination, stomach upset, fast heartbeat and muscle tremors. Some medications and herbal supplements may interact with caffeine; you may need to avoid caffeine when on medications.
People with high blood pressure, epilepsy, high levels of anxiety or those prone to panic attacks, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with sleep disorders, and glaucoma should take care not to overdo coffee. However, people trying to avoid caffeine can still get some of the potential health benefits by going for decaffeinated coffee.
What you add to your coffee can make a difference in how healthy the beverage is. You do not have to load up on cream and sugar. Although they say 4- 5 cups can be taken daily, I find it outrageous. Let us stick to 1-2 cups and then listen to how our body responds to caffeine.
Credit: Olufunke Faluyi