People have traditionally used coffee to wake up, be alert and perk up their mood, but now researchers are reporting coffee cuts the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Intuitively it makes sense as coffee comes from coffee beans (really green seeds in red berries), which is a part of the coffee plant and contains a host of antioxidants – plant nutrients that are fortifying for your body. In fact, Joe Vinson, a chemistry professor at the University of Scranton, notes that coffee is the main source of antioxidants in the USA.
Parkinson’s Disease and the Coffee Connection
Parkinson’s disease is a debilitating condition that currently affects close to two million individuals in the USA. The disease begins in the part of the brain called the substantia nigra when nerve cells lose the ability to produce the neurotransmitter dopamine. When about 80% of the dopamine-making nerve cells are damaged, the victims develop the physical symptoms of tremors, rigidity and bradykinesia (slowness of movement).
Researchers reported, in the May 16, 2007 online version of the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, about a 22-year study of 6710 men and women between the ages of 50 and 79. The study found that those who drank 10 or more cups of caffeine coffee per day had a whopping 74% lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Although a previous 2004 study indicated that the benefit did not apply to women, experts now say that result only applied to post-menopausal women on hormones.
10 Cups of Coffee for Benefits?
For those who do not come close to drinking 10 cups of regular coffee, drinking just one cup per day, over time, shows a benefit. As part of the Honolulu Heart Program, reported in the May 24, 2000 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers studied 8004 men for 30 years.
The researchers determined that men who did not drink any coffee, or other forms of caffeine, were five times more likely to end up with Parkinson’s disease than those who routinely drank 3 1/2 cups (8 oz. each). Moreover, non-drinkers doubled their risk of the disease compared to those averaging just 1 cup of coffee per day.
Caffeine in Coffee Lowers Parkinson’s Risk But...
Experts believe the benefit is from the caffeine in coffee. However, coffee researcher Terry Graham, chairperson of the Human Health and Nutritional Sciences at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada says that caffeine is just 2% of a cup of coffee and the other 98% is other ingredients. Experts are finding that the other ingredients are healthy antioxidants that may offer protection from other diseases.
Reasons to Get Your Caffeine from Coffee
Researchers have found that in women-only studies coffee (regular or decaf) reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. In a men-only study reported in the August 2006 issue of the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, non-coffee drinkers, over a 10-year period, had four times the memory decline of those who consumed 3 cups of coffee per day.
For both sexes, a Japanese study, reported in the February 16, 2005 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, found that caffeine coffee consumption decreased the risk of liver cancer. Compared to non-drinkers, drinking 1 to 2 cups of coffee decreased the risk by 48% and consuming 5 cups lowered the risk by a huge 76%.
Enjoy Your Coffee
Coffee drinking in the USA is increasing, and that is a good thing as research is finding chronic diseases may be held at bay with coffee consumption. Experts recognize that coffee is the number one source of antioxidants, beating out tea and chocolate. As Parkinson’s disease usually strikes those over 60, it is important to start your coffee therapy now.
This is an educational article only. Caffeine coffee can cause the jitters, insomnia and initial high blood pressure in some people; seek physician advice.
Reference
“Parkinson’s Disease Overview.” Suite 101, accessed May 11, 2009.
“The History of Coffee.” Suite 101, accessed May 12, 2009.
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