Coffee culture – the health benefits and risks of coffee

#instantcoffee #heartdisease #dementia #type2diabetes #health Coffee is a drink that provides energy and it has its plus and minus. Studies keep getting published about health benefits as well as risks surrounding this drink. While one school of thought reveals the positives of drinking coffee, another study would point out the grave dangers associated with drinking coffee.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 10 March 2015.
While one study links coffee with reduced risk of heart attacks, it protects against dementia, type 2 diabetes and even skin cancer. Coffee is also seen as a culprit for anxiety, heartburn and making menopausal hot flushes worse. These are usually attributed to to the caffeine found naturally in coffee beans.
But, it must be remembered that coffee also contains a range of antioxidants and plant chemicals that give the drink its characteristic smoky bitterness and smell, apart from its healthy properties.
Therefore the question arises – what is the safe limit. How much intake of coffee will help reap the benefits and not suffer the risks? The answer as given by a dietician is up to three cups a day. That way one can enjoy its health benefits.
However, those who have heart disease should avoid instant coffee since it contains high levels of potassium and tis can cause dangerous changes in heart rhythm.
Read more on coffee and health at this link.

Do not ignore heartburn – it could be esophageal cancer

#esophagealcancer #stomachcancer #heartburn #obesity #health Public Health England has, through a health campaign, urged people not to ignore heartburn because, such signs could be associated to the onset of stomach or esophageal cancer. PHE has advised people to visit the doctors in case they experience persistent heartburn or have difficulty in swallowing food for three weeks or more - the symptoms could be of esophageal cancer.
Incidentally, stomach and esophageal cancers are the fifth most common cancers in England and the figures released by PHE reveal that nearly 12,900 people in England are diagnosed with these cancers every year and approximately 10,000 of them die from the diseases.
Right now, UK has the highest rate of esophageal cancer in both men and women in the EU – probable reasons for this could be smoking, rising obesity levels, a lack of fruit and vegetables in our diet apart from regular consumption of alcohol. In the opinion of PHE, the earlier these cancers are diagnosed, the better are the chances of recovery.
With this objective, the "Be Clear on Cancer" campaign of PHE is focusing on how to spot the signs of esophageal or stomach cancer and encourage everyone who have worrying symptoms to seek help of the doctor as early as possible.>br> Once the individual approaches the doctor, he would either get an assurance that it is not cancer, or if it really is, then the individual would have a better chance of successful treatment and, possible, survival.