This article is about how caffeine affects our health, beauty, and energy levels.
The positive and negative effects of coffee have been a seemingly endless ongoing debate. Perhaps we should consider the source through which we obtain caffeine instead. There are sources of caffeine that are better for us. We have all heard that green tea is healthy but how does it compare to coffee? I am a huge coffee lover so in order to give up my morning java I need some serious convincing, and I think I have found enough motivating information to give it up! If you are considering giving up coffee read on for some knowledge-filled words of encouragement. If you have no intentions of giving it up then stop reading right now! I would prefer not to taint the joy you get out of your morning ritual. Sometimes ignorance is bliss:) My favourite cliche!
First of all, coffee does not contribute to weight loss unless 100mg or more are consumed and this period of thermogenesis only lasts for 1-2 hours (http://www.teacare.nl/literatuur/Efficacy%20of%20a%20green%20tea%20extract%20rich%20in%20catechin%20polyphenols%20and%20caffeine%20in%20increasing%2024%20h%20energy%20expenditure%20and%20fat%20oxidation%201999.pdf). Coffee can also make it difficult for us to lose weight because it increase appetite by stimulating "insulin secretion, which reduces serum glucose, which increases hunger (http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=11068).
Caffeine also has negative effects on our skin. Some studies have shown that it accelerates the thinning of the skin which causes us to look older faster and its diuretic properties cause dehydration which makes our skin look and feel dry (http://futurederm.wordpress.com/2007/10/11/caffeine-and-your-skin/). For these reasons it is recommended that we do not exceed 250mg of caffeine per day.
If we drank enough coffee at each meal to create periods of thermogenesis we would need to consume 300 mg of caffeine a day. Coffee can be used to promote weight loss, however since caffeine is more concentrated in coffee than other beverages only 4 ounces (1/2 cup) should be consumed at a time. However, if the health of our skin remains a priority this is not an option, because it would exceed the 250mg limit. Health Canada recommends that we never exceed more than 400mg of caffeine per day (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/securit/facts-faits/caffeine-eng.php). If we had a full cup of coffee at any point during this regiment we would exceed our daily recommended amount.
Caffeine has negative health effects and “heavier doses of caffeine have been associated with increased risk of osteoporotic fracture, restlessness, nervousness, insomnia, flushing of the face, increased urination, muscle twitching, irritability, irregular heart beat and psychomotor agitation (http://futurederm.wordpress.com/2007/10/11/caffeine-and-your-skin/).”
The best way to reap the benefits and avoid the negative affects of caffeine is by drinking green tea. One cup of green tea only contains 30mg of caffeine while coffee contains 237mg. Studies have shown that green tea extract in the amount of 50mg 3 times per day increases the body’s metabolism by 4% over a 24 hour period and it specifically helps to increase fat oxidation (http://www.teacare.nl/literatuur/Efficacy%20of%20a%20green%20tea%20extract%20rich%20in%20catechin%20polyphenols%20and%20caffeine%20in%20increasing%2024%20h%20energy%20expenditure%20and%20fat%20oxidation%201999.pdf). This is also referred to as beta-oxidation. Beta-oxidation is the process by which fat is broken down and turned into energy (http://www.answers.com/topic/beta-oxidation).
According to a recent study, the properties of green tea are said to have a synergistic relationship that allows it to have a positive impact on the body with a minimal amount of caffeine (http://www.teacare.nl/literatuur/Efficacy%20of%20a%20green%20tea%20extract%20rich%20in%20catechin%20polyphenols%20and%20caffeine%20in%20increasing%2024%20h%20energy%20expenditure%20and%20fat%20oxidation%201999.pdf.). If you drink 14 ounces (1 3/4 cup) of clear green tea three times a day during meal time your metabolism should increase and your body should begin to break down stored fat more easily. Green Tea has a low enough caffeine content that it is safe to drink it all day long if you prefer.
Green Tea:
Has a lesser diuretic effect due to a lesser amount of caffeine (reduced dehydrating effect)
Contains antioxidants
Causes thermogenesis/increases metabolism
Increases beta-oxidation (helps to burn stored fat)
Functions as a mild stimulant
Green tea is healthier than coffee and it is clearly a worth while addition to any weight loss plan.
