Health Benefits of Coffee

Coffee is the subject of repeated studies and many conclusions to indicate a path already well known to lovers of this drink: coffee is beneficial to health. In research presented recently by a Ph.D. in medicine and professor of UFRJ (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro) Dr. Darcy Roberto Lima, are pointed out evidence of the utility of coffee for humans. Professor studies the shop for over ten years and has published several papers and books, research on coffee was held at the Institute of Neurology at UFRJ and was developed by a group of researchers coordinated by Prof.. Lima.

The main conclusions obtained in this research are: the human being consumes the morning drink coffee as a result of the stimulus that the drink provides the brain, in addition to caffeine, coffee has lactone whose work benefits the brain, the daily consumption of coffee causes that the brain is more alert and able for intellectual activities, and to stimulate memory, attention and concentration, coffee consumption reduces the occurrence of apathy and depression, the drink can prevent the consumption of drugs and alcohol.

Trivia: Ergonomics in the coffee plantation in Colombia

The concepts of ergonomics are generally used in offices and factories, but this was the first time I’ve seen devoted to field activities. The ergonomic belt, baptized by Coconut is nothing more than a Colombian slang for “container harvesting” may revolutionize the routine of coffee pickers and change the pace of work on crops.

Designed by industrial design student from Parsons School of Desing, Cue Ravassa Gabriela, it is not very different from the baskets used at present, but small ergonomic improvements make it unique. The idea is simple. A bucket specially designed to follow the shape of the body (more specifically the waist) is tied to the person who will harvest the coffee. The major innovation is in the belt. With greater support at the back, it ensures more stability in time to move and divide the weight more comfortably. This small change in design ensures comfort, improves working conditions and avoid possible cases of back pain.

According to the designer, the indentation at the bottom of the bucket regarding the movement when the employee walks and thus prevents bruising of the legs. Two handles prevent possible falls and increase safety when they are transported from one place to another.

Now, I would like to see it applied to crops. Have you seen any innovation that improves working conditions in the field?

Bring on 2012! Toast with caffeinated drinks!

When I think of New Year’s Eve party, I think of celebration. Be it in the quiet of your home with your favorite pajamas or mess with friends (regardless of the situation), the food and drink are very important. After all, this is the first meal of one year todinha new that bloom for you. If you have not decided what to serve at the turn, how about starting with some delicious drinks?

Espresso Martini is perfect for those who are more classic, but do not give up a little caffeine. To keep the tradition of rites of passage of years, the New Year Drink pomegranate seeds has to bring prosperity. Now, if you want to impress your friends, write down the tips of the consultant Drink Lab – Marco de la Roche – you can prepare cocktails that take coffee as an ingredient here.

For the main course could not miss the lentil Luck, a symbol of success and money. For dessert, how about a fruit terrine? Apart from being refreshing to our summer, the recipe also has the grapes to attract wealth.

If you go too far or simply want to incorporate drink juice that gives a lot of energy, try the Antioxidant Juice. It’s potatoes! It’s refreshing and also puts us on alert.

Espresso Martini
Icon of elegance in your glass triangular, this sets up a classic drink flavor and shape. Great choice to enter the New Year in style!

Drink New Year
Symbolic links two ingredients, pomegranate and hominy, which give the drink a lot of meanings with a delicious taste and rectify our intentions for the next year full of accomplishments.

Preparing drinks with coffee
Surprise your guests and prepare drinks and caffeinated!

Lentil Luck
In addition to delicious and highly nutritious, the Asian seed is rich in iron and looks great in any kind of preparation. Legend has it that one spoonful at the turn of the year is enough to ensure prosperity.

Fruit Terrine
Make sure the grapes for their guests in a different format.

Antioxidant Juice
Make sure the grapes for their guests in a different format.

With this menu, you will begin 2012 well. Get well and good start for everyone!

See nine reasons to drink coffee all day

Coffee is known for a long time as a natural remedy for some types of diseases and skin problems. Several studies have shown the power of coffee and its benefits, especially its main component, caffeine.

The businesswoman Christine Willett, owner of Barista Bath and Body company has done several studies on the behavior of the coffee in the human body and discovered a number of interesting things.

Check below the tips of Christine.

1 – Caffeine inhibits the hair loss and stimulates the growth of new hair. When applied to the skin, it inhibits the production of DHT, a major cause of hair loss;

2 – The pH of coffee ranges from 4.5 to 5.5, which means it’s a little acid. This acidity tightens pores and improves skin appearance, also helping in the fight against acne;

3 – The coffee grounds are used for a long time to slow down the aging of the skin and remove dead cells, stimulating the growth of new cells;

4 – A solution of 10% of caffeine is sufficient to inhibit the growth of enzymes and prevent skin diseases like psoriasis;

5 – Caffeine can inhibit the development of tumors induced by UVB rays;

6 – The presence of chlorogenic acid in caffeine naturally helps remove old skin and prevents the appearance of blemishes and wrinkles on the body;

7 – The trigonelline, caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid, three compounds found in coffee, help inhibit the growth of at least 10 types of microbes;

8 – Coffee and caffeine act as vasodilators, which constrict the skin surface so that it is firmer;

9 – People who drink coffee are less likely to develop diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

Coffee does not increase risk of osteoporosis

There is no relationship between the amount of coffee consumed and decreased bone mineral density, one of the factors responsible for the development of osteoporosis, the findings of a study conducted at the University of Trakya, Turkey.

A group of physicians and physiatrists, University of Trakya, Turkey, conducted a study to assess the impact of smoking and coffee consumption in women during perimenopause. The aim was to investigate whether smoking and coffee consumption were influential in changing the values ​​of bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.

After monitoring 200 women, researchers found no relationship between the amount of coffee consumed and the levels of mineral density. Advanced age, duration of menopause and smoking were identified as risk factors for developing osteoporosis.

“Contrary to what has been widespread, studies indicate there is no link between caffeine and a higher risk or propensity to develop osteoporosis. This is linked to the fact that caffeine does not interfere with the absorption of calcium, which is controlled by a series of hormones and vitamin D, ie, each ingested 1200 mg a day, only 300 mg are absorbed, “explains Charles Martins, a researcher at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto in Portugal.

Currently, it is estimated that between 700,000 and 800,000 Portuguese suffer from osteoporosis.

Brazilian coffee turns sunscreen

Passion national and international coffee that wakes up a lot of people could be consumed by the beach.

But with one difference: as sunscreen. Search the Agronomic Institute (IAC), Campinas, demonstrated the potential of a substance extracted from oil grain of coffee, kahweol, capable of blocking ultraviolet rays. The substance use is not restricted to application on the skin and can be used in any type of equipment that needs protection account the solar radiation, such as sheets of asphalt roads. The result is unprecedented and it already has the patent application.

The oil extracted from coffee contains many substances classified as unsaponifiable and saponifiable, that is, whether or not to become soap chemist. The kahweol is a substance found in the unsaponifiable matter. “The oil of coffee is a jumble of things. The potential for the discovery of new uses is in research, “says IAC researcher, Nilson Borlina Maia.

The survey of the coffee oil began informally in 2003 at the Institute, but it was not until 2010 that the student’s Graduate IAC in Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture, such Alerian Lucon Wagemaker, defended master’s thesis proving the potential of kahweol. The Graduate was guided by the researcher and director of the Center Café, Oliveiro Guerreiro Filho, and researcher Cassia Regina Carvalho Limonta, Center for Plant Genetic Resources of the IAC.

The objective of this research is to find alternative uses for existing materials. This potential is in coffee, studied in the breeding program of the IAC. “Do not improve the genetics of coffee to discover the potential of oil, we look to the material that has been improved new possibilities,” said Maia, a researcher at the IAC, the Agency Paulo Agribusiness Technology, the Department of Agriculture and Food Supply of the State of Sao Paulo.

The work was made possible through a partnership between the IAC, the Foundation for Research Support of São Paulo (FAPESP) and Linax, the company that operates within the IAC with funds from FAPESP also via Project Small Companies (PIPE-FAPESP ). The Linax works in partnership with the IAC to develop sustainable technology packages in the business of distilling essential oils.

According to Maia, the use of kahweol protect against ultraviolet rays is just one of the research developed by the IAC in this area. “The potential of coffee is far from being exhausted. Through research, you can always find a new use, never seen before, “he explains. The researchers also studied, in partnership with Unicamp, the effect of oil from Brazil’s most famous drink in the healing of skin ulcers, or sores. “We always seek innovative uses for materials that already exist,” he adds.

The research with kahweol is already completed, but depends on partnerships to reach the consumer market. With this focus, the IAC will present this and many other technological packages during the third edition of the Business Innovation in technology between companies, research centers and Universities, the Inovatec it happens 07 to 09 November 2011, in Sao Paulo .

The Inovatec always been focused on the implementation of new contacts between companies and research institutes of technology. There will be four areas of knowledge available for the registration of designs, patents, services, technology, and expertise in research laboratories and equipment available for rental or service delivery.