Caffeine

[caffboy]

Tool…don’t spoil our relationship with spoon feedings. We were getting along so well these past couple of days and I do not want it to end.

As you well know, majority of sports pre-workout supplements are heavily induced with my good friend caffeine. So, I still do not see your point.

Whey2buy is doing a great job providing supplements at low costs. And don’t be coy; you know very well that whey in the whey2buy is a playoff word.

I think you just need a spoonful of caffeine.

[Toolbaggon]

And I don't buy it, and I'm sure many more keen consumers are discovering its side-effects. Maybe this is why A1 is trying to unload them before the word gets out totally about how too much caffeine actually hinders your muscle-building progress, and you're here to try to give a reason for it. I'm sure you also will give reasons for artificial ingredients such as aspartame and sucralose?? To each is own!

All I can say then is have at it! drink up! Just shows that the name whey2buy is totally irrelevant to the majority of the stims, I mean supps sold here. I think the play on words "caff2buy" or "stim2buy" would be more fitting. Also, the name "whey2buy" is more of a "rip-off" of another company's discounted supp site AS YOU KNOW, but at least "they"will actually attempt to sell a good variety, and yes, not always geared toward you caffeine fanatics.

[Travis28]

FYI - For most people, some caffeine is GOOD, not bad.

Caffeine provides numerous health benefits, based on a mountain of scientific evidence. I would admonish anyone who has ANY doubts about caffeine and the health benefits it provides to read this post in its entirety and the referenced articles.

Contradictory information which is credible is invited. Good science adapts to the best information available based on the scientific method and moves us closer to understanding the truth. Read on...

Daily caffeine 'protects brain' - 2 April 2008 - BBC

"Coffee may cut the risk of dementia by blocking the damage cholesterol can inflict on the body, research suggests.

The drink has already been linked to a lower risk of Alzheimer's Disease, and a study by a US team for the Journal of Neuroinflammation may explain why.

A vital barrier between the brain and the main blood supply of rabbits fed a fat-rich diet was protected in those given a caffeine supplement.

UK experts said it was the "best evidence yet" of coffee's benefits."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7326839.stm

------------------

Coffee: The New Health Food? - January 26, 2004 - WebMD
Plenty of health benefits are brewing in America's beloved beverage.

"Want a drug that could lower your risk of diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and colon cancer? That could lift your mood and treat headaches? That could lower your risk of cavities?

If it sounds too good to be true, think again.

Coffee, the much maligned but undoubtedly beloved beverage, just made headlines for possibly cutting the risk of the latest disease epidemic, type 2 diabetes. And the real news seems to be that the more you drink, the better.

Reducing Disease Risk
After analyzing data on 126,000 people for as long as 18 years, Harvard researchers calculate that compared with not partaking in America's favorite morning drink, downing one to three cups of caffeinated coffee daily can reduce diabetes risk by single digits. But having six cups or more each day slashed men's risk by 54% and women's by 30% over java avoiders."

Reducing Disease Risk continued...
Is it the caffeine? The oodles of antioxidants in coffee beans, some of which become especially potent during the roasting process? Even other mysterious properties that warrant this intensive study?

Actually, yes.

Some of coffee's reported benefits are a direct result of its higher caffeine content: An eight ounce cup of drip-brewed coffee contains about 85 mg -- about three and a half times more than the same serving of tea or cola or one ounce of chocolate.

"The evidence is very strong that regular coffee consumption reduces risk of Parkinson's disease and for that, it's directly related to caffeine," DePaulis tells WebMD. "In fact, Parkinson's drugs are now being developed that contain a derivative of caffeine based on this evidence.

...

Caffeine is also what helps in treating asthma and headaches. Though not widely publicized, a single dose of pain reliever such as Anacin or Excedrin contains up to 120 milligrams -- what's in a hefty mug o' Joe.

Boost to Athleticism
It's also caffeine -- and not coffee, per se -- that makes java a powerful aid in enhancing athletic endurance and performance, says physiologist and longtime coffee researcher Terry Graham, PhD, of the University of Guelph in Canada. So powerful, in fact, that until recently, caffeine in coffee or other forms was deemed a "controlled" substance by the Olympic Games Committee, meaning that it could be consumed only in small, designated amounts by competing athletes.

"What caffeine likely does is stimulate the brain and nervous system to do things differently," he tells WebMD. "That may include signaling you to ignore fatigue or recruit extra units of muscle for intense athletic performance. Caffeine may even have a direct effect on muscles themselves, causing them to produce a stronger contraction. But what's amazing about it is that unlike some performance-enhancing manipulation some athletes do that are specific for strength or sprinting or endurance, studies show that caffeine positively enhances all of these things." "

http://men.webmd.com/features/coffee-new-health-food

------------------

Sorting Out Coffee’s Contradictions - August 5, 2008 - New York Times

"Probably the most important effects of caffeine are its ability to enhance mood and mental and physical performance. At consumption levels up to 200 milligrams (the amount in about 16 ounces of ordinary brewed coffee), consumers report an improved sense of well-being, happiness, energy, alertness and sociability, Roland Griffiths of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine reported, although higher amounts sometimes cause anxiety and stomach upset.

Millions of sleep-deprived Americans depend on caffeine to help them make it through their day and drive safely. The drug improves alertness and reaction time. In the sleep-deprived, it improves memory and the ability to perform complex tasks.

For the active, caffeine enhances endurance in aerobic activities and performance in anaerobic ones, perhaps because it blunts the perception of pain and aids the ability to burn fat for fuel instead of its carbohydrates.

Recent disease-related findings can only add to coffee’s popularity. A review of 13 studies found that people who drank caffeinated coffee, but not decaf, had a 30 percent lower risk of Parkinson’s disease.

Another review found that compared with noncoffee drinkers, people who drank four to six cups of coffee a day, with or without caffeine, had a 28 percent lower risk of Type 2 diabetes. This benefit probably comes from coffee’s antioxidants and chlorogenic acid."

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/05/he...o_interstitial

[Toolbaggon]

Coffee is a lot different than caffeine anhydrous in supplements.

Caffeine anhydrous by itself stresses the epithelial cells of the heart and vessels, leading to poorer circulation "everywhere" overtime. ..as I said! those that believe in it, go right ahead and you'll end up looking older before your time.

Not one study proves that it helps you build muscle!

Crack-cocaine improves short-term performance too, doesn't mean it's good for you or that it will help you build anything.

Now if Whey2buy was offering coffee here, then it would be a whole different story, but that is not the case.

[Travis28]

Originally Posted by A1_Toolbaggon

Coffee is a lot different than caffeine anhydrous in supplements.

Indeed. That's why I took the time to BOLD the specific references to CAFFEINE, to pre-emptively defuse your coffee-comeback, if you will. (I thought you might try to hide behind it). Did you notice?

Originally Posted by A1_Toolbaggon

Caffeine anhydrous by itself stresses the epithelial cells of the heart and vessels, leading to poorer circulation "everywhere" overtime. ..as I said! those that believe in it, go right ahead and you'll end up looking older before your time.

Does it? I welcome any referenced studies you can dig up. Based on the scientific evidence I referenced above, some caffeine intake provides many health benefits. I would argue that when taken in moderation, the health benefits far exceed any negative effects for most people.

Also, this reference seems to contradict your statement:

"Metabolites of caffeine also contribute to caffeine's effects. Paraxanthine is responsible for an increase in the lipolysis process, which releases glycerol and fatty acids into the blood to be used as a source of fuel by the muscles. Theobromine is a vasodilator that increases the amount of oxygen and nutrient flow to the brain and muscles. Theophylline acts as a smooth muscle relaxant that chiefly affects bronchioles and acts as a chronotrope and inotrope that increases heart rate and efficiency."

Specific source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffeine
Dews, P.B. (1984). Caffeine: Perspectives from Recent Research. Berlin: Springer-Valerag.

Originally Posted by A1_Toolbaggon

Not one study proves that it helps you build muscle!

Here are a few that show it's ability to increase exercise duration and efficiency:

"Caffeine is an ergogenic: increasing the capacity for mental or physical labor. A study conducted in 1979 showed a 7% increase in distance cycled over a period of two hours in subjects who consumed caffeine compared to control subjects. Other studies attained much more dramatic results; one particular study of trained runners showed a 44% increase in "race-pace" endurance, as well as a 51% increase in cycling endurance, after a dosage of 9 milligrams of caffeine per kilogram of body weight. Additional studies have reported similar effects. Another study found 5.5 milligrams of caffeine per kilogram of body mass resulted in subjects cycling 29% longer during high intensity circuits."

Specific sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffeine
Ivy, JL; Costill DL, Fink WJ, Lower RW (1979 Spring). "Influence of caffeine and carbohydrate feedings on endurance performance". Med Sci Sports 11 (1): 6–11. PMID 481158.
Graham, TE; Spriet, LL (December 1991). "Performance and metabolic responses to a high caffeine dose during prolonged exercise". J Appl Physiol 71 (6): 2292–8. PMID 1778925.
Trice, I; Haymes, EM (March 1995). "Effects of caffeine ingestion on exercise-induced changes during high-intensity, intermittent exercise". Int J Sport Nutr 5 (1): 37–44. doi:10.1152/physrev.00004.2004. PMID 7749424.

It stands to reason that used appropriately, one could use this ergogenic effect to their advantage in building muscle. Hence, one reason why many supplement companies include it in their muscle building supplements as part of the stack. Prove me wrong.

[Toolbaggon]

Originally Posted by Travis28

Indeed. That's why I took the time to BOLD the specific references to CAFFEINE, to pre-emptively defuse your coffee-comeback, if you will. (I thought you might try to hide behind it). Did you notice?

nope! all I saw was coffee did this and coffee did that..something that isn't sold here.

Originally Posted by Travis28

Does it? I welcome any referenced studies you can dig up. Based on the scientific evidence I referenced above, some caffeine intake provides many health benefits. I would argue that when taken in moderation, the health benefits far exceed any negative effects for most people.

Yes I do! but you're not going to see a whole lot of studies that interferes with a multi-billion dollar caffeine industry because of java huts and long isles of energy drinks. That's like the industry or governments coming out and saying "well folks! artificial ingredients are bad after all." Imagine the economic doom from those scares alone?

What is your definition of moderation? Should it be coffee with all the components of nature found to moderate the negative effects of caffeine? I thinks so! Now everyone is different, just like not everyone can handle their liquor. Should we build their tolerance levels up so they can consume what you consider moderation? NO! not if it's going to jeopardize a person's health. Them health benefits were only demonstrated in "coffee" studies and not any were for caffeine anhydrous in supplements!

Originally Posted by Travis28

Also, this reference seems to contradict your statement:

"Metabolites of caffeine also contribute to caffeine's effects. Paraxanthine is responsible for an increase in the lipolysis process, which releases glycerol and fatty acids into the blood to be used as a source of fuel by the muscles. Theobromine is a vasodilator that increases the amount of oxygen and nutrient flow to the brain and muscles. Theophylline acts as a smooth muscle relaxant that chiefly affects bronchioles and acts as a chronotrope and inotrope that increases heart rate and efficiency."

Specific source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffeine
Dews, P.B. (1984). Caffeine: Perspectives from Recent Research. Berlin: Springer-Valerag.

Those caffeine metabolites are found in chocolate, teas, and coffee naturally. Many supplements include them along with anhydrous. Unfortunately they all are CNS "stressors" and overtime, will catch up to you like crack-cocaine will. Straight anhydrous does not contain those metabolites but the liver has to break the caffeine down into them. Therefore, caffeine anhydrous will not give you the correct original amounts along with the other vital moderating nutrients such as received from natural sources.

Originally Posted by Travis28

Here are a few that show it's ability to increase exercise duration and efficiency:

"Caffeine is an ergogenic: increasing the capacity for mental or physical labor. A study conducted in 1979 showed a 7% increase in distance cycled over a period of two hours in subjects who consumed caffeine compared to control subjects. Other studies attained much more dramatic results; one particular study of trained runners showed a 44% increase in "race-pace" endurance, as well as a 51% increase in cycling endurance, after a dosage of 9 milligrams of caffeine per kilogram of body weight. Additional studies have reported similar effects. Another study found 5.5 milligrams of caffeine per kilogram of body mass resulted in subjects cycling 29% longer during high intensity circuits."

Specific sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffeine
Ivy, JL; Costill DL, Fink WJ, Lower RW (1979 Spring). "Influence of caffeine and carbohydrate feedings on endurance performance". Med Sci Sports 11 (1): 6–11. PMID 481158.
Graham, TE; Spriet, LL (December 1991). "Performance and metabolic responses to a high caffeine dose during prolonged exercise". J Appl Physiol 71 (6): 2292–8. PMID 1778925.
Trice, I; Haymes, EM (March 1995). "Effects of caffeine ingestion on exercise-induced changes during high-intensity, intermittent exercise". Int J Sport Nutr 5 (1): 37–44. doi:10.1152/physrev.00004.2004. PMID 7749424.

It stands to reason that used appropriately, one could use this ergogenic effect to their advantage in building muscle. Hence, one reason why many supplement companies include it in their muscle building supplements as part of the stack. Prove me wrong.

Performance sure! Endurance absolutely! Muscle NO! No proof! One study shows that caffeine anhydrous stops creatine's ergogenic job!
Hence why we see them constantly being unloaded on "whey2buy

[Travis28]

Originally Posted by A1_Toolbaggon

nope! all I saw was coffee did this and coffee did that..something that isn't sold here.

Take a closer look. Much of the positive effects are specifically attributed to caffeine. Coffee happens to be a good source of caffeine. Having said that, I'd like to see more studies done with caffeine supplements.

Originally Posted by A1_Toolbaggon

Yes I do! but you're not going to see a whole lot of studies that interferes with a multi-billion dollar caffeine industry because of java huts and long isles of energy drinks. That's like the industry or governments coming out and saying "well folks! artificial ingredients are bad after all." Imagine the economic doom from those scares alone?

I don't buy that "conspiracy" type of argument when it has no substance. You'll have to show me the science to back up your claim.

Peanuts are a multi-billion dollar industry as well, but when they are shown to be harmful to the general public (due to salmonella), the whitle is blown.

Here are a few other food/consumption items that come to mind:

Spinach, jalepenos, Vioxx (many billions there too)...

http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.HTML

Originally Posted by A1_Toolbaggon

What is your definition of moderation? Should it be coffee with all the components of nature found to moderate the negative effects of caffeine? I thinks so! Now everyone is different, just like not everyone can handle their liquor. Should we build their tolerance levels up so they can consume what you consider moderation? NO! not if it's going to jeopardize a person's health. Them health benefits were only demonstrated in "coffee" studies and not any were for caffeine anhydrous in supplements!

One can overdose on just about anything, including water.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_intoxication

Moderation is all about avoiding extremes. It's about living with balance, using prudence and good judgement and "listening" to your body. Concerning caffeine, it's something unique to one's tolerance and body weight. E.g. consuming 1000 mg per day is probably excessive for most, given the bell curve of the population. 300-400 mg may be fine for some, while 100-200 mg may be better for others, and 0 mg may be most appropriate for others.

Originally Posted by A1_Toolbaggon

Those caffeine metabolites are found in chocolate, teas, and coffee naturally. Many supplements include them along with anhydrous. Unfortunately they all are CNS "stressors" and overtime, will catch up to you like crack-cocaine will. Straight anhydrous does not contain those metabolites but the liver has to break the caffeine down into them. Therefore, caffeine anhydrous will not give you the correct original amounts along with the other vital moderating nutrients such as received from natural sources.

"Anhydrous" just means without water, so dry caffeine.

Caffeine converts just fine to the "natural" metabolites.

"Caffeine is metabolized in the liver by the cytochrome P450 oxidase enzyme system (specifically, the 1A2 isozyme) into three metabolic dimethylxanthines,[44] which each have their own effects on the body:

Paraxanthine (84%): Has the effect of increasing lipolysis, leading to elevated glycerol and free fatty acid levels in the blood plasma.
Theobromine (12%): Dilates blood vessels and increases urine volume. Theobromine is also the principal alkaloid in cocoa, and therefore chocolate.
Theophylline (4%): Relaxes smooth muscles of the bronchi, and is used to treat asthma. The therapeutic dose of theophylline, however, is many times greater than the levels attained from caffeine metabolism.
Each of these metabolites is further metabolized and then excreted in the urine."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffeine#Health

Originally Posted by A1_Toolbaggon

Performance sure! Endurance absolutely! Muscle NO! No proof! One study shows that caffeine anhydrous stops creatine's ergogenic job!
Hence why we see them constantly being unloaded on "whey2buy

I'm not arguing that it's specifically a muscle builder, although it does have ergogenic properties and exercise improving capacity. Suffice it to say, that it's known to benefit athletic performance. So we agree on this point.

Does it have drawbacks? Negative effects? Sure, as with any supplement. That's why moderation is the key to beneficial supplementation.

[Toolbaggon]

Woah let's not get off topic about moderation on everything else. Yes drinking too much coffee would be bad, as with sodas, H20, even breathing too much 02. Not the issue here!

Coffee is the big difference in its whole and entirety for the healthful benefits seen in the studies done, yet the benefits cannot be achieved "at all" from anhydrous. I know that caffeine is broken down into those metabolites because I mentioned it already before, "liver breaks it down into them." But the metabolites found in foodstuff makes it so the liver wouldn't need to fuss with it as much, again, mostly because they are included with other constituents, ie vitamins, minerals, chlorogenic acid and other elements not found in straight anhydrous. These natural elements in coffee help to tone down or "moderate" the nasty effects from caffeine itself.

Nature made cocoa, tea leaves, and coffee beans for healthful "practical" reasons. Not to be picked apart by humans for the individual elements that by themselves, do more harm than good. Just look at the outta control pharmaceutical industry where people have suffered from elements taken from an herb and made into things that create whole hosts of side effects in people. Yes there is some good that has come, but then you hear of that lawsuit against a pharm company from time to time for causing damage to thousands of patients that had been prescribed a drug.

Moderation in coffee I agree with... moderation for enjoyment, ie: sodas fine! But from what I've seen with regard to straight caffeine in supplements, there is no need for it! Drink some f'n coffee pre-workout for crying out loud!

On rare occasion, if you want to take a NO-EXPLODE type supplement, go for it because of the other ingredients as a whole. I'll admit I do! But guys that weigh under 200 lbs thinking full, double, or triple dosages are doing them better are the same fools that would overdue it with steroids or any other bodybuilding substances. Then their tickers are in for a shocker eventually. As far as caffeine for bodybuilding supplements, I believe it is totally unnecessary, especially if one already drinks caffeine throughout the day from the good natural stuff you brought up in the first place

[Travis28]

Originally Posted by A1_Toolbaggon

Woah let's not get off topic about moderation on everything else. Yes drinking too much coffee would be bad, as with sodas, H20, even breathing too much 02. Not the issue here!

That's not off-topic. You asked the question and I believe it's an important point. It's also helpful that we understand each other when using loose terms like "moderation". It's important because the health benefits are provided, but as is well-known, caffeine can also be addictive. Addiction can lead to abuse. Abuse (as with anything) negates the health benefits. Hence, moderation. My goal is to fight misinformation, educate and inform based on the latest studies and best evidence and to help people benefit from the knowledge of truth.

Originally Posted by A1_Toolbaggon

Coffee is the big difference in its whole and entirety for the healthful benefits seen in the studies done, yet the benefits cannot be achieved "at all" from anhydrous. I know that caffeine is broken down into those metabolites because I mentioned it already before, "liver breaks it down into them." But the metabolites found in foodstuff makes it so the liver wouldn't need to fuss with it as much, again, mostly because they are included with other constituents, ie vitamins, minerals, chlorogenic acid and other elements not found in straight anhydrous. These natural elements in coffee help to tone down or "moderate" the nasty effects from caffeine itself.

Yes, coffee/tea is very good for most people...and the primary ingredient responsible??? CAFFEINE. In fact, it's the caffeine in coffee that moderates cholesterol.

From BBC report:

"Caffeine appears to block several of the disruptive effects of cholesterol that make the blood-brain barrier leaky," said Dr Jonathan Geiger, who led the study.

"High levels of cholesterol are a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, perhaps by compromising the protective nature of the blood brain barrier.

"Caffeine is a safe and readily available drug and its ability to stabilise the blood brain barrier means it could have an important part to play in therapies against neurological disorders."

A spokesman for the Alzheimer's Society said that the barrier seemed to work less efficiently in people who went on to develop Alzheimer's or suffer strokes, and the cholesterol link might explain this.

"This is the best evidence yet that caffeine equivalent to one cup of coffee a day can help protect the brain against cholesterol.

"In addition to its effect on the vascular system, elevated cholesterol levels also cause problems with the blood brain barrier."

Again, if you go back to the studies, caffeine "by itself" is attributed to many of the positive benefits. I bolded the specific areas in my earlier post that further exemplifies this important point.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7326839.stm
http://www.uhs.wisc.edu/docs/uwhealth_caffeine_231.pdf
http://scienceblogs.com/developingin...ffeine_use.php

Originally Posted by A1_Toolbaggon

Nature made cocoa, tea leaves, and coffee beans for healthful "practical" reasons. Not to be picked apart by humans for the individual elements that by themselves, do more harm than good. Just look at the outta control pharmaceutical industry where people have suffered from elements taken from an herb and made into things that create whole hosts of side effects in people. Yes there is some good that has come, but then you hear of that lawsuit against a pharm company from time to time for causing damage to thousands of patients that had been prescribed a drug.

The active ingredient(s) ARE the reason the natural plants perform. Ingest too much of an herb containing the actives and you'll see side effects as well. Furthermore, we have tens of thousands of helpful pharmaceuticals and supplements, extensively studied, which help people everyday. As I've earlier stated, the regulatory commissions pull food, drug or supplement products off the market which have demonstrated greater harm than good for most, such as Vioxx.

Originally Posted by A1_Toolbaggon

Moderation in coffee I agree with... moderation for enjoyment, ie: sodas fine! But from what I've seen with regard to straight caffeine in supplements, there is no need for it! Drink some f'n coffee pre-workout for crying out loud!

Originally Posted by A1_Toolbaggon

On rare occasion, if you want to take a NO-EXPLODE type supplement, go for it because of the other ingredients as a whole. I'll admit I do! But guys that weigh under 200 lbs thinking full, double, or triple dosages are doing them better are the same fools that would overdue it with steroids or any other bodybuilding substances. Then their tickers are in for a shocker eventually. As far as caffeine for bodybuilding supplements, I believe it is totally unnecessary, especially if one already drinks caffeine throughout the day from the good natural stuff you brought up in the first place

If one already drinks enough caffeine throughout the day, there is no need to take additional caffeine in supplemental form. This would be overdosing and it could lead to side effects. Most researchers agree that up to 200 mg of caffeine per day (total from all sources) is safe and healthful. The choice is yours how you obtain it.

[openhand]

[quote=Travis28;25909]FYI - For most people, some caffeine is GOOD, not bad.

Caffeine provides numerous health benefits, based on a mountain of scientific evidence. I would admonish anyone who has ANY doubts about caffeine and the health benefits it provides to read this post in its entirety and the referenced articles.

Contradictory information which is credible is invited. Good science adapts to the best information available based on the scientific method and moves us closer to understanding the truth. Read on...

Daily caffeine 'protects brain' - 2 April 2008 - BBC

"Coffee may cut the risk of dementia by blocking the damage cholesterol can inflict on the body, research suggests.

The drink has already been linked to a lower risk of Alzheimer's Disease, and a study by a US team for the Journal of Neuroinflammation may explain why.

A vital barrier between the brain and the main blood supply of rabbits fed a fat-rich diet was protected in those given a caffeine supplement.

UK experts said it was the "best evidence yet" of coffee's benefits."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7326839.stm

------------------

Coffee: The New Health Food? - January 26, 2004 - WebMD
Plenty of health benefits are brewing in America's beloved beverage.

"Want a drug that could lower your risk of diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and colon cancer? That could lift your mood and treat headaches? That could lower your risk of cavities?

If it sounds too good to be true, think again.

Coffee, the much maligned but undoubtedly beloved beverage, just made headlines for possibly cutting the risk of the latest disease epidemic, type 2 diabetes. And the real news seems to be that the more you drink, the better.

Reducing Disease Risk
After analyzing data on 126,000 people for as long as 18 years, Harvard researchers calculate that compared with not partaking in America's favorite morning drink, downing one to three cups of caffeinated coffee daily can reduce diabetes risk by single digits. But having six cups or more each day slashed men's risk by 54% and women's by 30% over java avoiders."

Reducing Disease Risk continued...
Is it the caffeine? The oodles of antioxidants in coffee beans, some of which become especially potent during the roasting process? Even other mysterious properties that warrant this intensive study?

Actually, yes.

Some of coffee's reported benefits are a direct result of its higher caffeine content: An eight ounce cup of drip-brewed coffee contains about 85 mg -- about three and a half times more than the same serving of tea or cola or one ounce of chocolate.

"The evidence is very strong that regular coffee consumption reduces risk of Parkinson's disease and for that, it's directly related to caffeine," DePaulis tells WebMD. "In fact, Parkinson's drugs are now being developed that contain a derivative of caffeine based on this evidence.

...

Caffeine is also what helps in treating asthma and headaches. Though not widely publicized, a single dose of pain reliever such as Anacin or Excedrin contains up to 120 milligrams -- what's in a hefty mug o' Joe.

Boost to Athleticism
It's also caffeine -- and not coffee, per se -- that makes java a powerful aid in enhancing athletic endurance and performance, says physiologist and longtime coffee researcher Terry Graham, PhD, of the University of Guelph in Canada. So powerful, in fact, that until recently, caffeine in coffee or other forms was deemed a "controlled" substance by the Olympic Games Committee, meaning that it could be consumed only in small, designated amounts by competing athletes.

"What caffeine likely does is stimulate the brain and nervous system to do things differently," he tells WebMD. "That may include signaling you to ignore fatigue or recruit extra units of muscle for intense athletic performance. Caffeine may even have a direct effect on muscles themselves, causing them to produce a stronger contraction. But what's amazing about it is that unlike some performance-enhancing manipulation some athletes do that are specific for strength or sprinting or endurance, studies show that caffeine positively enhances all of these things." "

http://men.webmd.com/features/coffee-new-health-food

------------------

Sorting Out Coffee’s Contradictions - August 5, 2008 - New York Times

"Probably the most important effects of caffeine are its ability to enhance mood and mental and physical performance. At consumption levels up to 200 milligrams (the amount in about 16 ounces of ordinary brewed coffee), consumers report an improved sense of well-being, happiness, energy, alertness and sociability, Roland Griffiths of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine reported, although higher amounts sometimes cause anxiety and stomach upset.

Millions of sleep-deprived Americans depend on caffeine to help them make it through their day and drive safely. The drug improves alertness and reaction time. In the sleep-deprived, it improves memory and the ability to perform complex tasks.

For the active, caffeine enhances endurance in aerobic activities and performance in anaerobic ones, perhaps because it blunts the perception of pain and aids the ability to burn fat for fuel instead of its carbohydrates.

Recent disease-related findings can only add to coffee’s popularity. A review of 13 studies found that people who drank caffeinated coffee, but not decaf, had a 30 percent lower risk of Parkinson’s disease.

Another review found that compared with noncoffee drinkers, people who drank four to six cups of coffee a day, with or without caffeine, had a 28 percent lower risk of Type 2 diabetes. This benefit probably comes from coffee’s antioxidants and chlorogenic acid."

nytimes.com/2008/08/05/health/05brod.html?no_interstitial


very helpful post thank you.