The good coffee guide

[anthrax]

For all coffee lovers, here is a guide to one of my favorite beverage:
by NAOMI COLEMAN, femail.co.uk

Next time you visit a coffee shop for a social drink, take a moment to reflect on what's in your coffee.

Different types of coffee contain different amounts of protein, caffeine - and calories.

Here, we look at the nutritional value of six different types of coffee. How healthy is yours?

Espresso
This strong after-meal beverage is traditionally served as a single shot of strong black coffee with no milk. It contains around 80 to 100mg of caffeine, no protein, and around five calories.
Dietitian Catherine Collins of London's St George's Hospital says: 'An espresso has no nutritional value, but for those who want to lose weight it is low in calories. The high dose of caffeine should give you a good kick to last you throughout the afternoon.'
Our health rating: 3/5


Cappuccino
Cappuccino is an espresso topped with a generous amount of steamed milk made from full or skimmed milk. It contains about six grammes of




protein from milk, a small amount of sodium and 150 calories when made with whole milk and 95 calories when made with skimmed milk.
Catherine Collins says: 'Although a cappuccino is not best for those looking to lose weight, the large amount of milk provides a good source of protein and calcium which is important for bone health.'
Our health rating: 4/5


Latte
A latte is made from an espresso and much more steamed milk than a cappuccino. Each contains around ten grammes of protein from milk, five grammes of fat - the equivalent to a single butter pack - and around 225 calories when made with whole milk and 135 when made with skimmed milk.
Catherine Collins says: 'Drinking a large latte made from full milk is a good source of protein. If you want to cut your fat intake and




calories, opt for a 'skinny' latte containing skimmed milk - which has the same amount of protein and calcium as full fat.
Our health rating: 4/5


Mocha
A mocha is an espresso with added steamed milk, chocolate syrup and whipped cream. Because of its high fat content, it can contain more calories than most coffees - 310 calories when made with whole milk and 230 calories when made with skimmed milk. That's almost ten grammes of fat and 80mg of caffeine.
Catherine Collins says: Drinking a mocha is the equivalent to eating a chocolate bar. It is much higher in fat content compared to other coffees because it contains cream which unlike milk has hardly any protein. It has some kick, but nothing compared to an espresso or Americano.
Our health rating: 1/5


Americano
An Americano is an espresso with added hot water, often topped with cream. It often contains double the amount of caffeine as a single espresso - as much as 120 to 160 grammes. Without cream it contains hardly any calories. If you take your Americano with cream, you'll add 90 calories.
Catherine Collins says: 'This amount of caffeine could give some people the jitters - so if you're caffeine sensitive be careful. Adding cream to your coffee will certainly up your calories and will add little protein to your daily intake as cream contains less than half the amount of protein as milk.
Our health rating: 3/5


Macchiato
A macchiato is an espresso served with a dash of steamed milk. An average cup contains around four grammes of milk, 80 grammes of caffeine, 90 calories (when made with whole milk) and three grammes of protein.
Catherine Collins says: Steamed milk tends to be more diluted with slightly less calories and the good news is it doesn't compromise on your nutritional content. The high caffeine content may make some people hyper.
Our health rating: 3/5

 

[gymrat]

thanks Anthrax.

hey how much coffeine is usually in a large cup of plain ol coffee?

 

[anthrax]

thanks Anthrax.

hey how much coffeine is usually in a large cup of plain ol coffee?

Milligrams of Caffeine Item Typical

Coffee (150ml cup)
Brewed, drip method 115
Brewed, percolator 80
Instant 65
Decaffeinated 3
Espresso (30ml cup) 40

 

[TerraNoble]

For those who loves cofeee ( I know I am a fan)and for those who are concerned about linking coffee wiht high blood pressure there are some interesting answers.
Coffe have a positive effect on those who exercise,increasing both energy and endurance.



Q1: Does coffee consumption increase serum lipids/cholesterol levels, which sometimes leads to CVD?

A: Studies of individuals drinking coffee prepared by drip machines and percolators find little or no effect on cholesterol. Studies from Scandinavia using boiled unfiltered coffee — a process little used in the U.S. — have found a worsening effect on serum lipids. Thus, the differences in brewing processes utilized in the various countries explain the original difference. Consumption of coffee typically prepared in the U.S. does not effect blood cholesterol levels.

Q2: Does coffee/caffeine consumption contribute to high blood pressure/hypertension, which sometimes leads to CVD?

A: Despite previous controversy on the subject, most researchers now conclude that regular coffee and caffeine use has little or no effect on blood pressure.

Studies indicate that while first-time caffeine use may produce immediate, minimal changes in blood pressure, these changes are transient. (7) No changes in blood pressure appear to occur in regular users of caffeine. A 1991 study reached the same conclusion and indicated that restricting caffeine did not reduce blood pressure in people with mild hypertension. (8) A number of studies that have looked at people with normal blood pressure have concluded that caffeine does not contribute to hypertension. (4, 9, 10)

In 1997, the Sixth Report of the National Institutes of Health's Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure concluded that, "no direct relationship between caffeine intake and elevated blood pressure has been found in most epidemiologic surveys." (12)

Q3: What is heart arrhythmia and how is it affected by caffeine consumption?

A: Heart arrhythmias are irregularities of the heartbeat. A growing body of research indicates that the heartbeat irregularities are not affected by coffee and caffeine consumption for the vast majority of individuals, both healthy individuals and those with heart disease.

In a 1991 article reviewing virtually all research on coffee, caffeine and arrhythmias, Martin G. Meyers, M.D., concluded that the ingestion of 500 mg of caffeine, the equivalent of five to six 8-ounce cups of coffee a day, does not increase the frequency or severity of cardiac arrhythmias or ventricular tachycardia (increased heart rate) in healthy people or those with CVD. (11)

Q4: Does coffee/caffeine consumption decrease an individual's tolerance for or ability to exercise?

A: Researchers have found that coffee/caffeine consumption has little or no effect on exercise tolerance in healthy people or those with CVD. In fact, some studies have found that consuming caffeine has a positive effect on exercise performance, increasing both energy and endurance.

Q5: Does coffee/caffeine consumption contribute to high homocysteine levels, which some consider a factor in CVD?

A: Recent claims that an association between coffee consumption and homocysteine is linked to cardiovascular disease are not supported by 16 major studies in the scientific literature—which examined heavy coffee consumption and all forms of cardiovascular disease and found no relationship.




This information has been reviewed by Harvey Wolinsky, M.D., a cardiologist in New York.

PS>Cofee anyone??

 

[TerraNoble]

Despite some critics over the use of cofee , thre are some more reason why we should drink cofee;3 to 4 cups of coffee a day was associated with an 80% reduction in risk for cirrhosis of the liver, compared with those who don't drink coffee at all!!!


Q1: Does coffee have an affect on gallstone disease?
A: A recent ten-year study of 45,000 men found that drinking two to three cups of caffeinated coffee a day reduced the risk of developing gallstones by 40%. The risk of developing gallstones was reduced by 45% for those who drank four or more cups of caffeinated coffee a day. (1)

The researchers concluded that several mechanisms may be responsible for this result—the caffeine in coffee prevents cholesterol from crystallizing, cuts fat storage by increasing energy expenditure, reduces the fluid absorption that precedes gallstone formation, increases bile flow through the gallbladder.

Gallstones are lumps composed mainly of cholesterol. They can be caused by fatty diets and afflict 20 million people in the United States, where the condition leads to 800,000 hospitalizations a year.

When gallstones are lodged in the duct leading from the gallbladder, they can trigger vomiting and cause pain in the abdomen and between the shoulder blades. The condition can also lead to inflammation of the gallbladder, the sac under the liver where bile is stored and concentrated. Bile aids in digestion, especially of fats.

Q2: Is there an association between coffee consumption and cirrhosis of the liver?
A: In the past decade, research in the United States, Japan and Italy indicates that consumption of coffee has a strong protective effect against cirrhosis of the liver. (2-5) These studies show that drinking 3 to 4 cups of coffee a day was associated with an 80% reduction in risk for cirrhosis of the liver, compared with those who don't drink coffee at all.

Cirrhosis is a chronic disease which damages the liver's tissue, which becomes unable to remove waste products from the blood. The formation of scar tissue leads to increased pressure in the veins between the intestines and spleen, problems with bleeding and clotting, and the possibility of severe and life-threatening hemorrhage.

Excessive alcohol use is the leading cause of cirrhosis, which is the 9th leading cause of death in the United States.

Q3: Is coffee effective in reducing the risk of cancers in the digestive tract?
A: Yes—coffee has shown a protective effect against colon cancer. A recent meta-analysis of 17 studies on coffee consumption and colorectal cancer from 1960 to 1990 found the risk of colorectal cancer to be 24% lower among those who drink 4 or more cups of coffee per day, than among those who rarely or never drink coffee. (6)

The most likely explanations for lower risk of colorectal cancer among heavy coffee consumers are the enhanced colonic activity induced by coffee, and that anti-mutagenic components in coffee and caffeine inhibit the cancer-causing effect of various microorganisms.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, with some 131,000 Americans diagnosed with cancers of the rectum and colon on an annual basis. About 90% of the cancers occur in people over age 50.

Q4: Is there an association between coffee and heartburn (acid reflux)?
A: While some people believe that coffee can induce acid reflux, recent research has found that coffee consumption has no effect whatever at inducing heartburn in healthy people. (7) Even for those individuals with gastro-esophageal reflux disease, coffee consumption was found to have only a minimal effect.




This information has been reviewed by Alan Leviton, M.D., an epidemiologist in Boston.

PS>The more I read about coffee ,the more I am aware of its amazing capabilities, the more I want to drink!!

 

[BackDoc]

Jamaican Blue Mountain is my weakness...unfortunately, premium brand usually runs about $50 a pound.

Cuban coffee is very very good as well. It will keep you awake for days.

 

[anthrax]

Jamaican Blue Mountain ..... I wish I could drink a cup of one of the most famous and expensive coffee in the world !

For me it is central america's coffee: Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Maragogype from Mexico
and Moka from Ethiopia

 

[Bobarell]

OK here's a real question. I am on the Atkins diet right now. I work nights and usually depended on shots of espresso to get me through the night. Right now I am taking some Ripped Fuel to get me by, but I REALLY miss my espresso. I was actually drinking latte's, but I know those are bad carbs wise. What I am really wondering is if a plain shot of espresso has any carbs in it?????

 

[anthrax]

a "real" espresso (not that strange drink you drink in the US) has no carb, no fat and no calorie (but a fabulous smell)

 

[Y_lifter]

bump

buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[jerkbox]

mmmm...coffee......the nectar of life


did you see the oldest guy in the world just passed away this or last week at 113 yrs old....he considered coffee his "elixir"...

 

[Daernoth]

Is there any truth to the theory that caffine somehow interferes with creatine? I'm taking swole (tricreatine malate), and I've been avoiding caffine, for the most part.

 

[leancuisine]

who gives a fuck about capuccinos, latte, and mochas????????

lets talk about caffeine and ephedrine!

how many ounces of instant coffee to equal 300mg of caffeine?

lets talk about the effects of caffeine and blood pressure!

how about how caffeine may intefere with creatine absorption.

frapuucccinos?????????????????????????