Coffee and Your Health

Whether coffee is healthy or not so healthy does not seem to really impact the habits of a coffee-loving world population. There are 1.4 billion coffee drinkers worldwide. Put in a different context, almost one-third of earth's population drink coffee on a daily basis. There are over 1.8 million coffee drinkers in the United States. Even in Canada, coffee wins over tea.

Is it coffee's unique flavor, the caffeine boost or some unknown factor that keeps us glued to our coffee habits? It's different for different people.

The good news is no matter what your reason for drinking coffee, research is putting coffee in a healthier category than ever before. For those of us who truly enjoy drinking coffee, but not at the sake of risking our health, this is truly good news.

In recent decades, there have been more than 19,000 studies examining coffee's impact on health. As the results are tallied, the news is a good as that first sip of your favorite morning joe.

"Overall, the research shows that coffee is far more healthful than it is harmful....For most people, very little bad comes from drinking it, but a lot of good." That is the opinion of Tomas DePaulis, PhD, research scientist at Vanderbilt University's Institute for Coffee Studies, which conducts its own medical research and tracks coffee studies from around the world.

What are some of the latest research findings?

You can either read through a summary of some of the findings here, or skip to the next section and just watch a very informative video.

Coffee and Type II Diabetes

Harvard researchers analyzed data on 126,000 people for as long as 18 years. Comparing non coffee drinkers to those drinking 1 to 6 cups of caffeinated coffee daily produced some vary impressive findings. Of course, researchers say more studies are needed, but the preliminary findings are: drinking one to three cups of caffeinated coffee a day can reduce diabetes type II risk by single digits. But having six cups or more each day slashed men's risk by 54% and women's by 30% over non-coffee drinkers.

Coffee and Cancer

A 1991 study suggesting coffee may add to increased risk of bladder cancer has been debunked by newer studies. The newest available data shows that coffee drinking is not a contributing factor in the development of cancer at any body site, and may be protective in relation to liver, lower bowel and ovarian cancer.

Again, this research is ongoing, to hone into details, but right now what they do know from the studies - there is a correlation between moderate coffee consumption and decreased risk with liver, lower bowel, and ovarian cancer.

Summing Up the Research

At least six studies indicate that people who drink coffee on a regular basis are up to 80% less likely to develop Parkinson's Disease, with three showing the more they drink, the lower the risk. Other research shows that compared to not drinking coffee, at least two cups daily can translate to a 25% reduced risk of colon cancer, an 80% drop in liver cirrhosis risk, and nearly half the risk of gallstones. Six cups or more each day slashed men's risk of type II Diabetes by 54% and women's risk by 30% over non-coffee drinkers. Drinking one to three cups had a single digit reduction rate.

Other studies suggest coffee can assist with asthma, eliminate a headache, prevent cavities, and boost your mood. All in all, great news for the world's favorite beverage - coffee, Java, Joe, whatever you want to call it!

Functional Coffee fits into the fortified food category. It is gourmet coffee perfectly blended with scientifically proven fortified nutrients, commonly called Nutraceuticals. This is not a new concept. New fortified water products continue pop up on grocer's shelves. Fortified juices and milk have been around even longer. And there is a whole other list of fortified foods.

So, how did Functional Coffee come to be?

Back in 2003, two friends were seeking a way to stay fit, have more energy and have a simple way to achieve their fitness goals, all without undergoing major lifestyle changes. They saw all the fortified water being marketed, and wondered why no one had done the same with coffee. They determined there wasn't a better vehicle to combine existing lifestyle with health and fitness than coffee - something many adults enjoy every day. They embarked on an incredible journey to develop a product that not only would fit their needs, but the needs of millions of coffee lovers.