We are now entering that wonderful time between Christmas and New Years when, if you are not working, the days seem to blend together beautifully.
It is a period when you lose track of time and can relax and enjoy a well-deserved rest after a long and hard year.
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During this time, you may also decide to have a large cup of coffee, perhaps one with all the festive trimmings. However, as you slip into your quintuple cup of decaf caramel macchiato with extra oatmeal cream and chocolate chips, consider the effect it might be having.
It is accepted that coffee it has some health benefits.
According to experts, the benefits range from energy boost to heart health.
While the power of the bean can be used for good, coffee in its most decadent and sugary form it can have a negative impact.
One area where coffee can have a negative impact is the cholesterol.
There are two types of cholesterol, LDL and HDL.
LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein; this is bad cholesterol it blocks heart vessels, increases blood pressure, and can lead to the development of more serious conditions.
HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein; this is the good cholesterol keeps your heart healthy and removes bad LDL cholesterol.
You want as little LDL as possible and as much HDL as possible.
So where does coffee come into this?
Brewed coffee is nothing to worry about, as it has no cholesterol relatives in coffee beans, according to cardiologist Dennis Bruemmer.
«There are certain types of coffee where low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels may be a little higher,» he told the Cleveland Clinic.
These include French press coffee, Turkish coffee, and espresso.
He added that the amount of coffee people typically consume has little or no effect on cholesterol, as long as it’s in moderation.
And the same thing happens with the addition of cream and sugar, always in moderation.
But one type of coffee drink that could do harm is the frappucino.
“Now we don’t talk about coffee anymore,” said Dr. Bruemmer.
“We are talking about cream and caramel, things with a high sugar content. They are eaten as a complete meal and have 50 grams or more of sugar. Once you factor in the cream and even the size, you’re talking about 600 calories, more than a quarter of your daily calories. It is completely disproportionate to what would be considered moderation.»
He added that it gets even worse when it becomes part of their daily routine and baked goods are added.
But pure coffee could help you live longer.
Coffee has been shown to help reduce the risk of diseases such as heart disease.
Coffee can also boost your energy and performance, giving you an extra boost thanks to the caffeine content.
Additionally, research has suggested that the caffeine in coffee can help boost your metabolism; Handy for burning off that Christmas dinner.
Alongside this, that cup of bean-based goodness could play a role in lowering your risk of developing diseases like Alzheimer’s by boosting brain function.
Lastly, there is some evidence, though more research is needed, that coffee might reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.