Coffee in the diet and prevention of diabetes

The impact of coffee consumption on health deserves an attention, especially in the context of patients’ ongoing concerns about its adverse health effects. Knowledge on this subject may also inform the clinical practice. Objective — to present the current state of knowledge about the relationship between coffee consumption and the incidence of diabetes type 2. Epidemiological studies indicate that the habit of coffee consumption reduces the risk of non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Drinking at least 3 cups of coffee a day reduces the risk of this disease by 20–25%, and higher consumption may portend even more protection. The beneficial effect of coffee is most likely due to polyphenols present in the infusion, which have an anti-inflammatory effect and may improve insulin sensitivity. The content of bioactive ingredients in a cup of coffee is variable, depending on both the natural variation in coffee beans and the brewing method. The issue of sweetening coffee is a particularly important one as the addition of sugar can reduce its beneficial effects. Moderate consumption of coffee brewed using filters (3–5 cups per day) is recommended. Current scientific research indicates that coffee not only has no negative impact on health but may even reduce the incidence of diabetes.The impact of coffee consumption on health deserves an attention, especially in the context of patients’ ongoing concerns about its adverse health effects. Knowledge on this subject may also inform the clinical practice. Objective — to present the current state of knowledge about the relationship between coffee consumption and the incidence of diabetes type 2. Epidemiological studies indicate that the habit of coffee consumption reduces the risk of non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Drinking at least 3 cups of coffee a day reduces the risk of this disease by 20–25%, and higher consumption may portend even more protection. The beneficial effect of coffee is most likely due to polyphenols present in the infusion, which have an anti-inflammatory effect and may improve insulin sensitivity. The content of bioactive ingredients in a cup of coffee is variable, depending on both the natural variation in coffee beans and the brewing method. The issue of sweetening coffee is a particularly important one as the addition of sugar can reduce its beneficial effects. Moderate consumption of coffee brewed using filters (3–5 cups per day) is recommended. Current scientific research indicates that coffee not only has no negative impact on health but may even reduce the incidence of diabetes

Comparison of maternal and fetal blood levels of caffeine and its metabolite. A pilot study

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare caffeine and paraxanthine concentrations in venous blood of pregnant women and in the umbilical cord blood of their newborns. Materials and Methods: Pregnant women who gave birth at the Clinic of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Oncology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw were included in the study. Caffeine and paraxanthine concentrations were analyzed in 30 samples of venous blood serum drawn from the women before delivery and 30 samples of umbilical cord blood serum of their newborns. Caffeine intake in the last 24 hours before delivery was estimated using a questionnaire. Statistical analysis employed a linear logistic regression model, Wilcoxon rank sum test and a non-parametric Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. Results: No difference was found between caffeine concentration in maternal venous blood and neonatal umbilical cord blood. However, paraxanthine level in venous blood was higher than in umbilical cord blood (p = 0.04). Conclusions: Caffeine consumed by a pregnant woman passes through the placenta to the fetus freely

Can coffee consumption lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease? A literature review

In light of the fact that the number of elderly citizens in society is steadily increasing, the search for dietary factors which might prolong mental agility is growing in significance. Coffee, together with its main ingredient, caffeine, has been the focus of much attention from various researchers, as data on its beneficial effects on human health continue to accumulate. Most reports indicate that moderate coffee consumption may in fact lower the risk for common neurodegenerative conditions, i.e. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Regardless, due to their complex pathogenesis as well as methodology of scientific research, the exact impact of coffee consumption remains to be fully elucidated. At present, it seems safe to inform the general public that coffee drinkers need not fear for their health. Possibly, in the future experts will recommend drinking coffee not only to satisfy individual taste preferences but also to decrease age-related mental deterioration

Kawa w diecie i w profilaktyce cukrzycy

W kontekście istniejących obaw pacjentów o nieko­rzystne działanie kawy jej wpływ na zdrowie jest tematem wciąż aktualnym. Wiedza z tego zakresu może być także pomocna w praktyce lekarskiej. Celem pracy było przedstawienie aktualnego stanu wiedzy na temat związku pomiędzy piciem kawy a zachorowalnością na cukrzycę typu 2. Badania epidemiologiczne wskazują, że nawyk picia kawy zmniejsza ryzyko cukrzycy insulinoniezależnej. Wypijanie co najmniej 3 filiżanek kawy dziennie redukuje ryzyko tej choroby o 20–25%, a większe spożycie może nawet nasilać jej działanie ochronne. Korzystny wpływ kawy wynika najprawdopodobniej z zawartych w naparze polifenoli, które wykazują działanie przeciwzapalnie oraz mogą poprawiać wrażliwość komórek na insulinę. Zawartość składników bioaktywnych w filiżance kawy jest bardzo zróżnicowana i wynika zarówno z naturalnej zmienności w ziarnach kawy, jak i z metody parzenia. Szczególnie istotna jest kwestia słodzenia kawy, ponieważ dodatek cukru może niwelować jej korzystne działanie. Zalecane jest umiarkowane spożywanie kawy parzonej przy użyciu filtrów (3–5 filiżanek w ciągu dnia). Wyniki współczesnych badań naukowych wskazują, że kawa nie tylko nie wykazuje negatywnego wpływu na zdrowie, ale może nawet zmniejszać ryzyko zachorowalności na cukrzycę

Coffee Consumption and Cardiovascular Diseases – Has the Time Come to Change Dietary Advice? A Mini Review

The question whether coffee has a negative or a positive impact on human health has been the topic of much heated debate for years. Nevertheless, recent studies have not only failed to confirm earlier concerns, but in fact suggested a positive effect of coffee intake. Latest studies revealed that people who drink at least 3 cups of coffee per day are at a lower risk for type 2 diabetes, as well as liver and colon cancer. The reports on a possible correlation between coffee drinking and heart diseases have also generated optimistic results. No adverse associations between coffee consumption and coronary heart disease, stroke, and hypertension have been found. What is more, some authors demonstrated that coffee drinking may prevent cardiovascular diseases. Composition of coffee is determined by the strength of the brew and brewing methods. Unfiltered coffee is rich in cholesterol-raising diterpenes, therefore patients with dyslipidemia should be advised to drink filtered rather than non-filtered coffee. On the other hand coffee contains polyphenols which act as antioxidants, and these compounds are probably responsible for the suggested beneficial effect of coffee on health. This article summarizes the current literature reports on this controversial topic

Review of Dietary Recommendations for Twin Pregnancy: Does Nutrition Science Keep Up with the Growing Incidence of Multiple Gestations?

Recommendations for nutrition and the use of dietary supplements for pregnant women are updated on regular basis but it remains to be seen to what extent they may be applicable in twin pregnancies. The aim of this narrative review is to present the current state of knowledge about the energy and nutrient demand in twin pregnancy. There is general consensus in literature that the energy demand is higher than in a singleton pregnancy, but there is a lack of position statements from scientific societies on specific energy intake that is required. In turn, recommended maternal weight gain, which favors the normal weight of the neonate, has been determined. There is even a larger knowledge gap when it comes to vitamins and minerals, the body stores of which are theoretically used up faster. The greatest number of studies so far focused on vitamin D, and most of them concluded that its concentration in maternal blood is lower in twin as compared to singleton pregnancy. Few randomized studies focus on iron supplementation and there are no other studies that would assess dietary interventions. In light of a growing incidence of multiple pregnancies, more studies are necessary to establish the nutritional demands of the mother and the course of action for adequate supplementation

Vitamin D Status during Pregnancy versus the Anthropometric Parameters of Two- and Four-Year-Olds: A Pilot Study

Apart from being associated with a well-documented risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, maternal deficiency of vitamin D may also negatively affect the physical development of their children. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between maternal as well as umbilical cord blood levels of vitamin D and the weight and height values of two- and four-year-olds. The study was conducted in a group of 52 ‘mother–child’ pairs. On the day of the delivery, total 25(OH)D concentration in blood was measured using immunological tests (LIAISON). Weight and height values were obtained from the database of routine health checks for children aged two and four, which are obligatory in Poland. Multiple regression analysis was used for statistical analysis. No association was detected between maternal-neonatal concentrations of vitamin D and weight and height values of the investigated two- and four-year-olds despite extreme differences in maternal (4.0–37.7 ng/mL) and neonatal (5.9–46.6 ng/mL) concentrations and the fact that vitamin D deficiency was detected in almost 54% of the mothers and 37% of the newborns. Therefore, no relationship between maternal-fetal vitamin D concentrations and the anthropometric parameters of the investigated children up to the age of four was found

Caffeine Intake During Pregnancy and Neonatal Anthropometric Parameters

Caffeine is a psychoactive substance that may affect the normal course of pregnancy, therefore its intake during that time should not exceed 200 mg/day. The aim of this study was to evaluate caffeine intake among pregnant women from the Warsaw region. The study was conducted among 100 pregnant women who delivered at the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Oncology, Medical University of Warsaw. Caffeine intake from coffee, tea, and energy drinks was measured using a questionnaire. Direct interviewing was used, with all interviews conducted by the same dietitian. Multiple regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between caffeine intake and anthropometric measurements of the newborns. Mean caffeine intake among pregnant women was 68 ± 51 mg/day. Only 2% of the respondents exceeded the safe dose of 200 mg. Tea (mostly black) was the source of 63% of all caffeine. No relationships were found between caffeine intake and neonatal weight, length, or head and chest circumference (p > 0.05). Caffeine intake in our study population was relatively low and did not negatively affect fetal growth

Dietary intake of DHA during pregnancy: a significant gap between the actual intake and current nutritional recommendations

Background: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is indispensable to ensure proper development of the fetal central nervous system and pregnancy duration. Daily intake of DHA should be at least 100 mg higher as compared to the pre-pregnancy values. Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate DHA intake during pregnancy and compare it to the current recommendations. Material and methods: A total of 100 pregnant women presenting for labor at the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Oncology, Medical University of Warsaw, were included in the study. DHA intake from the following sources: fish and eggs, and DHA preparations collected based on the questionnaire was investigated. Results: Low dietary DHA intake (median: 60 mg/day) was observed. The values were only slightly higher (median: 90 mg/day) after DHA preparations were taken into consideration because only 28% of the pregnant women used DHA preparations. Overall, 92% of the subjects consumed <200 mg of DHA a day, which was the result of insufficient fish consumption (mean: 15 g/day). Only 10% of the respondents ate fish twice a week, in which case the DHA dietary intake was statistically significantly higher (median: 160 mg/day) (p=0.0232). Total median dietary DHA and EPA intake in the study population was 79 mg/day. Conclusions: The diet of pregnant women is largely deficient as far as DHA intake is concerned. Importantly, it is not possible to comply with current recommendations without dietary supplementation