COFFEE, the wake-upper for 75 percent of adults in America, has been shown to have health benefits and also a risk among those who have severe hypertension, who drink more than one cup (180cc) a day. It is a popular drink around the globe. Finland is the world’s highest consumer of coffee; Finns drink an average of nearly four cups (720 cc) a day.
With all health factors adjusted, studies have shown that drinking coffee could decrease mortality and possibly offer lower risk for the development of heart attack and stroke, diabetes type 2, liver diseases (including cancer) and Parkinson’s, states a report from the Mayo Clinic.
A recent Japanese study among 18,000 men and women for a period of 20 years found that among those with severe hypertension, drinking one cup of coffee a day was safe but two or more per day was associated with increased mortality. Severe hypertension is defined as those with a systolic blood pressure of 180 and a diastolic pressure of 120. The study was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Among normotensives and those with moderate high blood pressure (talking medications), which were not part of this study, drinking two cups or three a day could be safe, as suggested by data from other studies.
‘Without any doubt, drinking a cup or two of coffee is safer than consuming any type or variety of soft drinks.’
Those susceptible to the effects of caffeine could develop cardiac arrhythmia (rapid or irregular heartbeat), jitters, nausea, and impaired sleep. Discuss any issues with your family physician, who is familiar with your detailed medical history and could advise you accordingly.
Without any doubt, drinking a cup or two of coffee is safer than consuming any type or variety of soft drinks. Cola or uncola, with or without artificial sweetener, is toxic to the body of everyone, especially to children. Soft drinks increase the risk for metabolic syndrome. Coffee does not.
Dominant virus
While the BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 COVID-19 sub-variants were still not found in the Philippines as of last week (it started in India, mid-August and arrived in the USA in November 2022) the highest number (around 40%) was found in California, the challenger currently taking over is the XBB.1.5 (found in early 2023) following the holiday crowds of unmasked people around the country, many still unvaccinated. This has raised concerns about a new wave in the United States. China is facing various severe waves.
As of last Friday, in the USA, there were 40% of confirmed cases of XBB.1.5, up 20% from a week ago. Seventy-five percent of cases in the Northeast are confirmed XBB.1.5 cases. The replication and mutation to other variants and sub-variants will continue until everyone has been vaccinated or has been infected. Then, we shall have herd immunity (protection) in the country. In the meantime, let us all get vaccinated fully and continue to wear a mask although vaccinated, since new strains of the virus could still infect us.
Until a truly universal COVID-19 vaccine is developed for all strains and future strains of the virus, even those fully vaccinated today could still be infected by new variants tomorrow.
As I have tried to simplify the issue before, I suggested each COVID-19 subvariant infection should be considered a “different” disease, and that the immunity conferred by the vaccines we received before for those past sub-strains may not protect us from the newer variants. To prevent confusion, just remember: a different strain “creates” a different disease, and a different vaccine is needed.
Protein leverage
Clinical studies investigated “the link between protein consumption and caloric intake.” Amazingly, they found that people who ate less protein intake, consumed more fats and carbohydrates, were at higher obesity risk.
The Protein Leverage Hypothesis (PLH) was initially proposed in 2005 as a theory of obesity, postulating that if the body’s protein needs are not met, fats and carbohydrate consumption goes up, “dampening the satiety signals from the brain, increasing food intake.”
Culinary medicine
Indeed, let’s eat food as medicine today, so we do not have to eat medicine as food tomorrow!
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Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Advocate, Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He is a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1996, whose other awardees include: President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Astronaut Gus Grissom, Mohammad Ali, David Letterman. Websites: FUN8888.com and philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
