Coffee increased risk of Cardiovascular Disease, still a controversy

Coffee is widely consumed beverages in the world, especially in Indonesia. Coronary heart disease is now also one cause of death in the world. Two of these are often linked. Many people said coffee causes heart disease. This has become very interesting questions to be investigated. Some research on the relationship of coffee and heart disease was mostly done since several decades ago. However, until now, the effect of coffee on heart health is still a controversy.

Number of substances contained in coffee drinks has caused both beneficial effects and adverse effects on human health. Some adverse effects caused by the presence of diterpene and caffeine contained in coffee. Coffee contains two kinds of diterpene, they are cafestol and kahweol. In vitro studies showed that these two substances increased serum cholesterol. Normally, when cells need cholesterol, LDL receptor would be activated to bind to the LDL then brought cholesterol from outside the cell to enter the cell. However, diterpene inhibit the activity of LDL receptors so that the LDL accumulate in the circulation and cause an increase in serum cholesterol. Increased serum cholesterol can cause atherosclerosis, risk factor for coronary heart disease. Besides diterpenes, substances that cause adverse effects is caffeine. Although several studies have shown that caffeine has beneficial effects for health, Animal studies indicate that caffeine may damage and disrupt kidney function. Several epidemiology studies also show that caffeine could increase blood pressure. Caffeine increased levels of several stress hormones such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol. The increase of stress hormones causes increased blood pressure.

On the other hand, coffee also contains many polyphenols which are antioxidants. Polyphenols which is widely available in coffee is chlorogenic acid (CGA). Several studies have shown that CGA has antioxidants activities that can prevent LDL oxidation, protects endothelial, reducing free radicals, and lower glucose levels. Possibly, the antioxidant activity offset adverse effects of some substances contained in coffee. This can be seen from several studies showing an increase in blood pressure due to cola consumption but no association between coffee consumption and blood pressure. Coffee and cola, both contain caffeine. However, cola does not contain polyphenols, while coffee contains many polyphenols.

Some research suggests that the effect of coffee on the heart varies greatly among individuals. It is caused by genetic factors. This resulted in differences in metabolism of the substances contained in coffee. Different effects could also be caused due to differences in ways of processing coffee. Different coffee processing causes differences in yields of substances contained in coffee.

Some meta-analysis showed that there was no relationship between coffee consumption and increased risk of coronary heart disease. Several cohort studies even show that coffee consumption can reduce the risk of heart disease in women. No studies that answer why the effect of coffee on the heart is also influenced by gender. Possibly, these different effects caused by different habits between men and women. Generally, a person who is very fond of drinking coffee also has a habit of smoking. Smoking habits are more often committed by men than by women. In fact, smoking is usually associated with several unhealthy lifestyles such as lack of exercise and physical activity. So, we must maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent heart disease.

References:

Bonita JS, Mandarano M, Shuta D, Vinson J. Coffee and cardiovascularnext term disease: In vitro, cellular, animal, and human studies. Nutritional Pharmacology 2007; 55(3): 187-198

Wu J, Ho SC, Zhou C, Ling W, Chen W, Wang C, Chen Y. Coffee consumption and risk of coronary heart diseases: A meta-analysis of 21 prospective cohort studies. International Journal of Cardiology 2009; 137: 216-225.

Eggplant, delicious and healthy, rich in antioxidant

Eggplant, cucumber-shaped fruit is more often used as a vegetable. In the past, I really do not like vegetables that contain eggplant because this fruit becomes mushy when boiled with other vegetables. In addition, eggplant taste less delicious when used as a vegetable stew. On campus, there are small shops that sell fried eggplant. At first, I am less sure about this food. Then, I tried. How taste the fried eggplant?

It turns out, fried eggplant is very crispy. In addition to crisp, eggplant is also more delicious than fried potatoes because it feels more springy. It feels more delicious snack when eaten with ketchup or hot sauce. Crispy fried eggplant is also easy to make. Last night I cooked crispy fried eggplant at home to be enjoyed as a snack while playing games. You can search for crispy fried eggplant recipes in culinary sites.

Besides can be cooked into a tasty snack, the eggplant was also very beneficial for health. This fruit contains many polyphenols such as phenolic acids and flavonols. Polyphenols are antioxidants which have many health benefits. These substances can prevent bad effects caused by the bad cholesterol (LDL). As antioxidants, polyphenols can prevent hypercholesterolemia because these substances can prevent mutation of apo-B100. Apolipoprotein (apo) B-100 is a substance that helps the uptake of LDL. If exposed to apo B-100 mutation, the uptake of LDL from the blood will decrease resulting in hypercholesterolemia.

Tamarind beneficial for health, is a myth?

Tamarind beneficial for health, is a myth? Last night, I ate tamarind candy that does not sleepy in the journey. Candy is indeed eliminate the sleep during the trip. Content of glucose can overcome drowsiness due to one reason for drowsiness is lack of glucose supply in the brain. Is tamarind helpful? This question arose when I woke up this morning. Then, I opened medical journal about tamarind health benefits.

Research carried out several researchers from Bangladesh proved that tamarind is beneficial for our health. Researchers examined the effect of tamarind on blood pressure, weight, and lipid profiles in 30 adults who become subjects in the study. 15 of whom were given a dose of tamarind extract 15 mg / kg body weight for 4 weeks. Body weigth, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, trygliseride measured before and after the experiment performed.

Apparently, tamarind taken for 4 weeks is really useful. Although no decrease in body weight and systolic blood pressure, subjects who consumed tamarind decreased diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol. This is very beneficial because LDL cholesterol is bad cholesterol that can clog arteries and cause coronary heart disease. Thus, consumption of tamarind on a regular basis can prevent the increase in bad cholesterol, prevent disease hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis disease. This natural medicine can not effect rapidly like synthetic drugs. Natural medicines such as tamarind is useful in the long run.

In this study, tamarind can not lose weight, but our ancestors drank turmeric tamarind to lose weight. Is this a myth?