Coffee. Duh!! I can't imagine diving without it!

[HBDiveGirl]

Medscape dropped this "Well...Duh!" news update into my inbox today:

"Mental and Medical Benefits of Coffee: Introduction

The best part of waking up...is reducing your risk of neurodegeneration. And depression, and cancer, and cardiovascular disease... It's becoming increasingly clear that coffee is more than just a morning routine. The body of data suggesting that the world's most widely used stimulant is beneficial in a variety of mental and medical conditions is growing at a staggering rate. A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that coffee consumption lowered all-cause mortality by over 10% at 13-year follow-up.^[1] Based primarily on recent Medscape Medical News coverage, the following slideshow reviews the potential medical and psychiatric benefits of coffee consumption."

It's not the smoothest of slide-show presentations, but I'm the choir and it's preaching my favorite sermon!

Cardiovascular Disease
It may seem counterintuitive: A substance known to increase blood pressure might actually be good for your cardiovascular system. Caffeine consumption can cause a short-lived increase in blood pressure – a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) – and regular use has been linked to a longer-term increase. However, when caffeine is ingested via coffee, enduring blood pressure elevations are small and CVD risks may be balanced by protective properties. Coffee beans contain antioxidant compounds that reduce oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and coffee consumption has been associated with reduced concentrations of inflammatory markers.^[2-7] Moderate coffee intake was associated with a lower risk for coronary heart disease as far out as 10 years,^[3] and new data suggest that an average of 2 cups a day protects against heart failure.^[8

Like a grad student on a 'ffiene rush, this slide show goes on and on and on: Reduction in cancer risk, depression risk, neurodegeneration risk, benefits in optimal weight maintenance, reduction in MRSA colonization, decrease risk of gout and "dry-eye" syndrome, decrease in liver disease.

Yeah, it gets around to risks of caffiene at slide number 10 of 13, but by that time the true believers can't hear anything because we're cheering and waving our shaking hands in the air!!!

hmmm... I think I'll make a cup of coffee.

It's good for ya!

~~~~
Claudette

[Mo2vation]

See??

This is why I drove you and Lynne and Peter relentlessly (as in - without relent) directly to the Peace at Sunrise - bypassing all possible crack...err.... caffine dealerships, to deposit you all on the deck just in time to enjoy a day of diving (and, of course, Lynne to curl up in the fuzzy blankets on the Peace)


Honestly - no need to thank me. I'm a giver. Its how I roll.





-K

[LCF]

No, NO, Ken! You deprived me of the substance I needed to prevent neurodegeneration. When I'm babbling in my tea, you will know it was YOUR fault.

[Mo2vation]

But you had a pink Vytec to dive with, and a comfy bunk to recline on.

:-D

That was such a great trip. You guys need to come to SoCal again!


Please.

-K

[LCF]

I wish we could come down for the winter San Miguel trip -- I love diving San Miguel!

[kevfin]

You don't have to convince me. I'm a big fan of caffeine.

[aussie82]

This seems accurate: