The Coffee Bump

What On Earth Is a Caffeine Nap?

2012-02-16T12:14:00.000-06:00

Caffeine andnaps may seem like polar opposites at first glance. After all, the wholepurpose of caffeine is to keep you awake. Right?

But scientists recommend a little somethingcalled a "caffeine power nap". Basically, it helps to drink coffee or a caffeinated beveragebefore taking a nap. By the time that the caffeine has taken effect in yourbody, you will likely be fast asleep or ready to wake up.

Still confused? It takes about 20 minutes for caffeine totake effect in your body. Total caffeine absorption takes roughly 45 minutes.So, if you drink a cup of coffee and then fall asleep immediately, the caffeinein the coffee won't affect your ability to drift off to sleep. And by the timethat you wake up from your catnap, you should feel less drowsy and much morealert as the caffeine infiltrates your system.

According toresearchers at Loughborough University, study participants who were givencaffeine immediately before a power nap outperformed other participants whowere given a placebo before taking a nap.

Granted, itdoes take some planning to drink caffeine successfully before a power nap. Ifyou don't take a nap right away, then you will likely crash after drinking acup of coffee and could end up more tired than when you started.

Even Drinking Decaf Coffee Could Sharpen Your Memory

2012-02-09T14:01:00.000-06:00

According to researchers, drinking decaf coffee could helpto improve memory in people suffering from brain-related diseases or cognitivedecline caused by age. In fact, drinking decafcoffee may even stop symptoms from appearing at all.

Researchers tested their theory by giving a dietarysupplement with the same components as decaffeinated coffee to mice that hadtype II diabetes. Since type II diabetes lowers levels of glucose in the brain,it can often result in memory impairment and other cognitive issues. After themice were given the decaf coffee supplement for five months instead of aplacebo, it raised glucose levels in the brain.

The study was conducted through the Mount Sinai School inNew York, enabling researchers to believe that the same benefits could be hadfor humans at risk for cognitive impairment caused by age. This is the firststudy that proves possible benefits in drinking decaf coffee to prevent andtreat cognitive decline caused by age, neurodegenerative disorders, and type IIdiabetes.

While some studies have linked coffee drinking with a higherrisk of stroke and heart disease, researchers believe that those risks are mostlikely related to caffeinated coffee. Butdrinking a cup of decaf or two could be exactly what you need to keep yourmemory sharp with age…

Baristas Coffee Company: For Those Who Like Their Coffee HOT

2012-02-07T14:01:00.001-06:00

Baristas Coffee Company has made their mark in the coffeecommunity by providing a unique coffee shop experience. Baristas Coffee Companyis a chain of drive-thru coffee shops from Seattle, Washington, that claims tobe a cross between Starbucks and Hooters.

As you may have guessed, the baristas on staff are primarilyattractive women wearing a variety of different costumes, like lingerie withangel wings and skimpy French maid outfits.

The first Baristas Coffee Company opened in 1996. 15 yearslater, there are seven more stores throughout Texas and Washington. Futureplans include opening new, "hot” locations in Florida, Arizona, and NewJersey.

Baristas CoffeeCompany has been able to survive for over a decade thanks to their uniqueconcept and a little bit of luck. But this coffee chain has seen its shareof hardships. Just last year, they dealt with a federal investigation afteremployees claimed that the company was not paying them fair wages. And, ofcourse, coffee shops with similar concepts continue to see backlash from localcommunities whenever they open.

Baristas CoffeeCompany hopes to solidify longevity in their coffee chain concept by branchingout into reality TV. The company recently announced that they would beholding casting calls for attractive women from the ages of 18 to 25 for a newreality TV show based on the coffee shop concept.

According to Starbucks, Blondes Have More Fun

2012-01-10T09:51:00.000-06:00

Starbucks has decided to branch out from their typical, verydark roasted coffee to debut a lighter blonde roast in grocery stores and cafésas of January 10, 2012.

The reason behind thisswitcheroo? Starbucks must compete with other brands with mass appeal, likeDunkin' Donuts and McDonald's, who have seen exceptional sales with milder coffeeroasts. Starbucks is hoping to bring in new customers who prefer light versusdark roasts when it comes to coffee.

According toStarbucks research, 40% of coffee drinkers in the US, roughly 54 millionpeople, prefer light roasted coffee. The blonde roast by Starbucks isroasted for a shorter period of time compared to other Starbucks roasts, sothat it has a lighter body and less acidity.

This light roast is a big change for Starbucks, who hasbuilt a reputation over several decades by cultivating dark roasts that somecritics feel taste bitter or burnt. Starbucks believes that these new lightroasts will increase their customer appeal and could pump up their sales by $1billion per year.

However, it is difficult to measure the exact impact of thenew introduction of the blonde roast since existing Starbucks customers couldswitch their roast preference in favor of the lighter roast.

Can Coffee Help You Fall in Love?

2012-01-09T09:28:00.000-06:00

For most people interested in a first time meeting or a casualdate, a coffee date provides a neutral ground to get to know someone of theopposite sex.

Here are a fewreasons why choosing a coffee date for your first encounter could help you tofind true love:

A convenient meetingplace. There are several coffee shops on every block. They provide apublic, non-threatening, safe environment to meet someone for coffee, hotchocolate, or a cup of tea. The odds are that most people will say yes to a cupof coffee if you ask them out on a casual date.

An affordable firstdate. If you still don't know if you're interested in another person, acoffee date is an economical, casual choice to get to know them for the priceof a cup of Joe. And if everything goes according to plan… You can up the anteand take them out to a nice dinner.
Coffee will stimulatearousal. Yes, really! Caffeine incoffee, hot chocolate, and tea works as a stimulant to pump blood to the heartand energize the body. These symptoms are similar to what a person will feelwhen they are excited about a new love. Many times, it's difficult to tell thedifference, so your date may confuse their caffeine buzz for attraction…

A Coffee Enema for the New Year? Yes, Please!

2012-01-06T09:17:00.000-06:00

Now before youtune us out completely at the word enema,this cleansing alternative may be worth exploring for the purpose of detoxificationfor the New Year. A coffee enema helps to detoxify the body to promote deephealing. It is best used with a diet or detox program.

The firstcoffee enema was introduced for healing by Dr. Max Gerson, M.D., in the 1940sas a way to treat cancer patients. Now, 60 years later, the coffee enema hasbeen further researched by Dr. Nicholas Gonzales, M.D., with help from theUnited States Cancer Institute.

How Does a Coffee Enema Detox?

A coffee enemaprovides therapeutic benefits because it stimulates the natural abilities ofthe liver and gallbladder to flush toxins and cancerous byproducts from thebody. This is done by stimulating the flow of bile and increasing naturalenzymes in the liver.

Glutathione is a type of enzyme necessaryfor detoxification. Coffeecontains palmitates that will increase the production of glutathione by morethan 700 times. These enzymes are powerful to neutralize free radicals and helpthe liver detoxify the body even more effectively.

Coffee alsocontains an alkaloid called theophylline, which helps to dilate blood vesselsand improve blood flow in the colon. When the blood supply is increased to theintestines, it will aid in digestion and stimulate further elimination.

The result? Feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and revivedthrough gentle detoxification.

Men's Health 101: Coffee and Prostate Cancer

2012-01-04T08:29:00.000-06:00

When it comes to the basics of men's health, you may bewondering if coffee is a friend or foe to protect your health for the future.

Sure, coffee has gotten a bad rap for men in the past. Coffeecontains compounds that could cause issues for men with BPH, or enlargedprostate. But if you are concerned about prostate cancer, recent studies haveproven that drinking caffeinated coffee is still a safe choice.

If you do have BPH,consult with your doctor. Coffee may stimulate an overactive bladder andcause frequent urination to result in incontinence. However, according toresearch from the National Cancer Center in South Korea, drinking coffee doesn’thave any link with prostate cancer.

The study evaluated 12 different studies that comparedcoffee drinking to the risk of prostate cancer. There was no significant riskincrease found from regularly drinking coffee, although many researchersbelieve that drinking green tea would be a better choice if you are at risk forprostate cancer.

However, a large study done on 50,000 men over two decadesdocumented 4,975 cases of prostate cancer. The researchers from Harvard MedicalSchool and the Harvard School of Public Health discovered that the men thatdrank the most coffee had a 60% reduced risk of advanced prostate cancer. The scientists concluded that there is noreason to cut out coffee altogether if you are concerned about prostate cancer.

5 Ways to Kick That Hangover: Start with Coffee

2012-01-02T08:38:00.001-06:00

A hangover isno way to ring in New Year, but it happens to the best of us… If you are stillfighting a hangover from the festivities, consider these potential hangoverremedies to do the trick.

Coffee and aspirin. The magical combination of caffeine and an anti-inflammatory like aspirin can help to get rid of your splitting headache. However, take only a small dose since toomuch aspirin can irritate your stomach lining.

Drink some water. If you're feeling the effects of thealcohol from last night, it's time to rehydrate with plenty of water, fruitjuice, or Gatorade.
Use a natural remedy. Vitamins and herbs like vitamin B, vitaminC, milk thistle, evening primrose oil, and globe artichoke can help to flushtoxins out of your body after a serious celebration.
Eat breakfast. Even if your stomach is feeling queasy,opt for bland foods like toast and saltine crackers. This will help tostabilize your blood sugar and fight off nausea.
Get some shut eye. The day after a fun night of celebrationis the perfect time to catch up on your rest and sleep off the hangover… to the best of your abilities.

Want to Brew Coffee with Your iPhone?

2011-12-30T15:14:00.000-06:00

In the age of multitasking, it would only make sense that you canfinally brew coffee with an app on your iPhone. Of course, you need to have theTopBrewer in order to brew 4 cups of coffee in under a minute directly out of astainless steel faucet using your iPhone.

This sleek, innovativecoffee maker looks like a small swan neck spout on a kitchen counter. It was designed by asmall company in Denmark called Scanomat, who also invented the first fullyautomatic cappuccino machine in the early 80s. They hope that the TopBrewer willbe the most successful product that they have designed in the past 50 years.

The coffee maker wasdesigned in order to make brewing simple without having to compromise quality.

Not only is the TopBrewer stylish and contemporary, but the brewingprocess can be controlled by both an iPad and an iPhone. This helps toeliminate a surface brew panel on the coffee maker to keep a kitchen countertopclutter-free. There is only one visible tap, and an iPhone will control themachine down to how many beverages that are made. It can even be used to ordermore coffee beans when supplies are low.

How's that for innovation…

Coffee Inspired New Year’s Resolutions: Use Coffee to Pump Up Your Workout

2011-12-28T12:07:00.000-06:00

If your New Year's resolution involves losing weight,hitting the gym, and getting back in shape, you’re definitely not alone. But how are you going to stick to yourresolution longer than the month of January?

A few new studies mayshed some light on this issue. Several studies have confirmed that caffeineand exercise do mix; caffeine may help you to perform better and enjoy yourworkout at the same time.

For years, many athletes have used caffeine prior to aworkout to stimulate endurance in both cycling and running. When Olympicathletes were tested for levels of caffeine in their urine, the highest levelswere found in rowers, cyclists, and triathletes.

Why is that? Caffeineincreases the amount of fatty acids in the bloodstream, which will help you toexercise for longer since the muscles can easily absorb and burn fat for fuel.It will also preserve carbohydrate storages to be used later in a workout.

In a study conducted at Coventry University in England on 13fit young men, one group drank a caffeinated sugar-free energy drink an hourbefore working out. The other group drank the same beverage without caffeine.After completing a workout, the group that had consumed caffeine experiencedmuch less exhaustion. That same group felt less tired throughout their workoutand was more willing to do the same workout again.

When it comes to coffee and your New Year's resolution thisyear, a cup of Joe before a workout can’t hurt to give you that extra kick toget back in shape!

Caffeine in Moderation to Prevent Obesity: 3 Causes of Obesity

2011-12-26T10:46:00.000-06:00

Obesity is a seriouscrisis in the US today. Roughly 70% of Americans are considered to beoverweight, and 33% may be categorized as obese. On top of affecting healthdramatically, obesity is costing us as a nation. Rising health care costs dueto obesity related conditions, like type II diabetes, coronary artery disease,sleep apnea, and stroke are costing $168 billion on a yearly basis.

What causes obesity,and how can we prevent it?

One study from the University of Rochester examined thecauses and solutions of obesity in employees at a manufacturing plant inupstate New York. The three main causes of obesity were:

Work stress
Sitting in front of the TV
Caffeine

The employees that hadthe more stressful positions at work almost always had a higher BMI than thosein low stress jobs. The study also showed that 65% of the employees watchedat least two or more hours of TV per day.

The reason being was that they wereexhausted from stress on the job and relaxed in front of the TV as soon as theygot home. People who watched three or more hours of TV per day had an increasedrisk of obesity at 150%.

And what aboutcaffeine? Too much caffeine will raise cortisol and blood sugar levels andpromote eating. Meaning, caffeine in moderation, along with regular exerciseand stress management is the best way to beat obesity today.

Highest Calorie Coffee Drinks in the US

2011-12-21T10:23:00.000-06:00

It's no secret that we’re hooked on caffeine in the US.Roughly 75% of adults in America drink at least one cup of coffee per day. Butthe good news is that coffee has a number of health benefits that could preventAlzheimer's disease, cirrhosis of the liver, and even gallstones. But when youadd sugar, whole milk, flavoring, and other additives to an innocent cup ofcoffee, it can wreak serious havoc on your waistline.

Photo by Kansir

The average cup of coffeehas increased by 45 calories on average from just 20 years ago to 330 calories today.

So what are some of theworst coffees that you can drink?

Large Mocha fromMcDonald's: This super delicious beverage has 400 caloriesand 49 g of sugar, meaning that you might as well eat six Fudgsicle bars!
Starbucks Venti WhiteChocolate Mocha: This Starbucks heavy hitter contains 580 caloriesand 75 g of sugar, which is the equivalent of eating 6 tablespoons of full fatmayonnaise.
Krispy Kreme Mocha DreamChiller: This cold coffee beverage should stay off your list at allcosts since one drink has 1050 calories and 41 g of fat. Yikes!

Coffee and Your Teeth: Can It Reduce Cavities?

2011-12-19T10:26:00.000-06:00

More and more studies have proven that coffee is no longerthe bad guy. The benefits of drinking coffee regularly far outweigh anynegative effects that it may have. Coffee can reduce the risk of colon cancer,gallstones, Parkinson's disease, and even cavities.

A compound in coffeecalled trigonelline will prevent plaque from adhering to enamel on your teeth.

This compound in coffee can help to reduce dental cavities. Trigonellineis an antioxidant that gives coffee its delicious smell and slightly bitterflavor. Antioxidants are necessary in the body to neutralize free radicaldamage, which can cause premature aging and even cancer.

The antioxidant trigonellineis antibacterial, which will prevent bacteria from adhering to tooth enamel.This antibacterial compound will also naturally help your body to fightinfection and resist plaque to prevent cavities.

Of course, coffee is also full of staining agents calledchromogens. It's best to rinse your mouth with water and chew sugar-free gumafter drinking coffee, which will help to absorb any staining agents to preventthem from sinking deeper into your teeth. Chromogens in coffee don't have anegative effect on your health, but they can dull your smile.

Still, coffee is a great choice to prevent cavities in thelong run - as long as you protect your teeth from staining by practicing goodoral hygiene.

The Mayo Clinic Gives Coffee Its Stamp of Approval

2011-12-16T10:28:00.000-06:00

First things first. The Mayo Clinic says that drinking largeamounts of coffee could potentially contribute to high cholesterol and evenincrease the risk of heart disease in some people. Too much coffee can alsocause insomnia, irritability, and restlessness if you are sensitive tocaffeine.

But the bottom line,according to the Mayo Clinic, is that the health benefits of coffee faroutweigh the risks. Hooray!

These health benefits include:

Prevent type II diabetes. Those who drink coffee are 50% less likely tohave diabetes than those who abstain from coffee. Coffee contains chemicalsthat work to lower blood sugar and can increase your metabolism at rest, whichmay help to prevent diabetes in the long run.
Protect against Parkinson'sdisease. Drinking caffeinatedcoffee regularly has been shown to reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease. Thisis more evidential in men than in women, possibly linked to the fact thatestrogen inhibits coffee from being metabolized by the body.
Reduce the risk ofcancer. Coffee is chock-full ofantioxidants that can fight cancer. In one report that analyzed nine differentstudies, it concluded that regular coffee drinkers were 50% less likely to haveliver cancer than those who abstained from coffee. Coffee drinkers also have a lower incidence of colon cancer.

Candy Cane Coffee Recipe: Don't Mind If I Do!

2011-12-14T10:27:00.000-06:00

Who can resist deliciouscandy cane flavored coffee over the holidays? I know I can't. In fact, I'drecommend that you pick up some peppermint flavored whipped cream at thesupermarket post haste to try with this delicious coffee beverage. Before thenew year…

Ingredients:

1/4 cup coffee grounds
2 cups water
1 tablespoon milk
1 tablespoon sugar
1 candy cane

Brew 4 cups of water with ¼ cup coffee grounds, or brewstronger to your liking. Pour the freshly brewed coffee, milk, and sugar into aglass and stir with a candy cane to enjoy.

If that recipe doesn't satisfy your holiday sweet tooth,check out this recipe for coffee eggnog…

Ingredients:

4 cups water
1/2 cup coffee grounds
2 cup sugar
12 eggs
4 cups milk
4 cups half-and-half
1 tablespoon nutmeg
1 pint spiced rum

Brew the coffee with 4 cups of water or stronger to yourliking. Mix in the sugar and chill in the refrigerator. Whisk the eggs untilfluffy and add the half-and-half, chilled coffee mixture, milk, nutmeg, andspiced rum. Stir and serve immediately.

Why not try bothholiday drinks at your next gathering? The coffee eggnog makes a batch largeenough for 12 servings, which should be ideal for a group of 5 to 6 atChristmas dinner.

IHOP Relaunches Holiday Flavored Coffees

2011-12-12T10:59:00.000-06:00

Just in time for the holidays, IHOP has relaunched theirflavored coffees as a festive treat for customers in the month of December.

The IHOP flavored coffee drinks retail at $2.99 a cup; FrenchVanilla and Swiss Mocha coffee drinks are now available to guests at participatingrestaurants. IHOP believes that holiday flavored coffees will give guests theopportunity to re-energize and indulge in a holiday comfort amidst Christmasshopping.

IHOP believes that they provide a great alternative forcoffee lovers who want to sit down and receive service in a relaxingenvironment, as opposed to standing in line at a coffee shop counter.

IHOP is also offering another incentive for the holidays byreintroducing their free $5 coupon for a future visit to the restaurant forevery $25 gift card that is purchased. This rewards any holiday shoppers with abonus for gifting an IHOP gift card to friends and family over the holidays.This is a special bounceback incentive that will extend into 2012.

IHOP currently has over 1500 store locations throughout theUS, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, and the Virgin Islands. IHOP alsorecently introduced the fast-casual concept called IHOP Express in San Diego in2011 to make the company even more accessible to people on the go.

How to Choose the Right Coffee Mug

2011-12-09T09:05:00.000-06:00

A stylish coffee mug can help you better enjoy your cup ofJoe and reflect your personal style at the same time.

Here are a fewguidelines to use when buying coffee mugs:

For Sipping: Ifyou like to take time to enjoy your coffee in the morning, look for aninsulated mug made with durable glass or porcelain. It is also best to choose amug that is taller than wide, which will help your drink to stay warmer forlonger.
Quick Drink: Awider mug with more surface area, like a cappuccino mug, will help to quicklycool a hot drink so that you can gulp it down on your way out the door.
For the Commute:If you drink your coffee on the way to work, consider a top quality travel mugmade of stainless steel or porcelain.Even better, invest in a French Press travel mug that will brew your coffee onthe go.
For Style: One-of-a-kindpottery mugs or hand-painted mugs from a craft website will give you a set of mugsthat is all your own. You can choose a variety of different mugs that have asimilar shape or color to create a unique set that you can’t find in stores.

Could Coffee Interfere with Your Medication?

2011-12-07T09:17:00.000-06:00

Coffee has recently been proven to be a truly healthybeverage that can help to protect against disease, but you may need to thinktwice if you are taking prescription drugs. Your morning coffee could eitherblock the absorption of some prescription drugs or increase their effects,which is something you want to avoid if you are taking medication.

Some drugs areaffected due to caffeine, while others seem to react to compounds in coffee.

Most commonly,thyroid medications, antidepressants, and drugs for osteoporosis are affectedby drinking coffee. One study revealed that the osteoporosis drug Fosamax decreasedin absorption by 60% when it was taken with orange juice or black coffee. It'simportant to take the drug with water on an empty stomach at least a half hourbefore eating to receive the maximum benefits.

Another 2008 studyshowed that taking thyroid medications with a shot of espresso or a cup ofcoffee could reduce absorption by up to 55%.

Other medications may increase the effects of caffeine sothat you feel jittery and anxious after drinking coffee. These drugs will slowdown how quickly your body processes and flushes caffeine from the system. Someantidepressants and drugs used to treat asthma can have this affect.

For the best practice, take your medication with water andwait a few hours to have your morning coffee.

3 Bad Things That Are Good for You

2011-12-05T08:48:00.000-06:00

It feels so right itcan't be wrong! Check out three so-called bad things that are actually goodfor your health. Now that's a reason to celebrate…

Chocolate:Research has proven over and over again that chocolate is full of antioxidantsthat can prevent your arteries from clogging and reduce the risk of certaincancers. The powerful antioxidant flavonols found in chocolate also help tostimulate healthy blood flow to the brain to prevent dementia. So to protect your brain to the utmosttoday, choose chocolate with less sugar that has the highest cocoa content.

Sun: The sun doesn't have to be public enemy number one! Overexposure to the sun couldincrease the risk of skin damage and skin cancer, but we all need a moderateamount of unprotected sun exposure per day to produce vitamin D. Fifteenminutes a day is recommended. Asthmatics can also benefit from ultravioletrays. Sunlight suppresses immune responses in the body that cause asthma andcould potentially be used to treat the condition in the future.
Coffee: You knew this was coming, didn't you?Although coffee was once thought to be a harmful beverage, its long list ofhealth benefits continues to grow even longer. Coffee is a major source ofantioxidants in the US diet and can also reduce the risk of diabetes, Parkinson'sdisease, Alzheimer's disease, and more. Drink up!

Topical Coffee Fights Skin Cancer

2011-12-02T08:42:00.000-06:00

Does this mean thatyour next bath should be in a cup of Joe? According to a Rutgers study,applying caffeine topically can help to reduce the risk of skin cancer. Thismeans that using a coffee-based sunscreen could be most beneficial to blockdamaging ultraviolet rays that release free radicals and trigger cancer in theskin.

Yes, caffeine can protect against certain skin cancers atthe molecular level by inhibiting the production of a protein enzyme in theskin. The study was done by observing mice, where caffeine was applied directlyto their skin to prevent the absorption of UV rays that could cause skincancer.

Previous studies also showed that mice that drankcaffeinated water and were exposed to UVB lamps that damaged the DNA in theirskin were able to kill off a larger number of damaged skin cells to reduce therisk of potential cancer.

Drinking coffee hasbeen associated with a reduced risk of non-melanoma skin cancer.

But more studies still need to be done to determine ifapplying topical coffee can prevent skin cancer caused by sun exposure. For usconsumers and coffee lovers, this could mean that we will start seeing caffeineas a leading ingredient in sunscreen and other products like facial lotion toprotect the skin from outside damage.

Coffee Gifts for the Ho, Ho, Ho, Holidays

2011-11-30T16:06:00.000-06:00

Here at The Coffee Bump, we’re suckers for the holidays. Canyou blame us? So in light of the impending season, here are a few coffee giftsuggestions to add to your Christmas list before it's too late:

Make your own coffeeblend. A company called Dean’s Beans in Massachusetts will allow you tocreate a signature coffee blend for the coffee lover in your life. You canorder whatever grind consistency you prefer or whole beans for less than $10. Can anyone say "stocking stuffer"?
How about some coffeepods? If you have a friend with a Keurig single cup brewer or a similarmodel, they will kiss you for gifting them replacement K Cup coffee pods. Forsomeone with a true coffee addiction, maintaining a constant supply isn'tcheap. You may also want to pair the coffee pods with a decorative rack fordisplay in the kitchen. Problem solved.
Brew withoriginality. If you have a friend with a French Press who doesn't yet havea stovetop espresso maker, it's time to gift them one. We all know that FrenchPress users are a little snobbish about their coffee - in a good way. So givethe French Press lover you know something unique with similar brewing capabilities,like a stovetop moka pot.

Coffee Could Lower the Risk of Endometrial Cancer

2011-11-29T08:45:00.001-06:00

Endometrial cancer affects theendometrium, which is the lining of the uterus. Women who have a higher riskfor endometrial cancer include those who are:

Overweight
Have diabetes
Have fertility or menstrualproblems

The good news is that several studies have suggested that if a womandrinks more coffee, she can lower her risk of endometrial cancer. Researchersdecided to examine the link further in a Nurse’s Health Study done on 67,470women from the ages of 34 to 59, starting in 1980. The study examined how manycups of coffee the women drank per day, as well as how many women werediagnosed with endometrial cancer from 1980 to 2006.

Drinking less than 4 cups of coffee a day didn't affect endometrialcancer whatsoever.

But for the women who drankmore than 4 cups of Joe each day, they had a 25% less risk of the diagnosis ofendometrial cancer than women who drank just a cup a day. Researchers also examinedthe type of coffee that the womenwere drinking. The women who drank more than 4 cups of caffeinated coffee eachday had a 30% less risk of endometrial cancer compared to women who drank onlyone cup a day.

Starbucks Channels Their Lighter Side

2011-11-23T12:49:00.000-06:00

Believe it or not, quite a few coffee drinkers have been complainingfor decades that Starbucks coffee flavors are much too strong. According toStarbucks, they estimate that 40% of coffee drinkers in the US actually prefermilder coffee, a type of drink that you won't often find at Starbucks.

To cater to thelighter side, Starbucks announced that they will launch a new blonde roast ofcoffee in January 2012. This blonde roast style coffee will be made frombeans with milder flavors that are light roasted. Starbucks hopes to introducethis light blonde roast to the market to attract new customers and keep oldcustomers loyal.

There are quite a few customers that go to Starbuckspecifically for lattes and cappuccinos, but they don't like the regularStarbucks coffee roasts. Of course, now that Starbucks is trying to take on theretail market, it would only make sense that they would introduce a new lighterroast to give customers more choices in packaged coffee.

For any customers thathave complained that Starbucks coffee has a burnt flavor, the blonde roast willbe much lighter on the palate.

The traditional style of coffee that Starbucks serves is astronger European flavor that not everyone prefers. So, if at least 40% of thecoffee market wants a lighter coffee, Starbucks is willing to comply.

What Does the Rainforest Alliance Certified Seal Mean for Coffee Drinkers?

2011-11-21T11:23:00.000-06:00

Part of being a savvy coffee drinker is understanding the sealsand labels on your favorite brands of coffee. As you explore the more premiumcoffee brands on the market, you may have come across several labels likeorganic, fair trade, and even the Rainforest Alliance seal.

But what dorainforest have to do with your cup of Joe?

The truth is that thelivelihoods of over 25 million coffee farmers and their families in 50countries worldwide depend on coffee production. Many of these farmers livein poor areas that are considered endangered by conservationists. When thesefarmers use sustainable practices, they can conserve their local environmentand also improve their quality of life. It is these farmers that are able toearn the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal on their coffee products.

If you as a consumer purchase Rainforest Alliance Certifiedcoffee, you're giving coffee farmers incentive to grow coffee using sustainablemethods that support the environment and the wellbeing of their community.

To give you a better example, let's examine the largestcoffee producing nation in the world: Brazil.Brazilian coffee is farmed in biodiversity hot spots full of a wide range ofthreatened species. Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee farmers in Brazilproduce shade grown coffee, enabling them to protect up to 50% of their farmland through conservation. This will protect priceless ecosystems to provide asafe home for rare wildlife like toucans, parakeets, and even the giant anteater.

The Coffee Bump Cares: Mercy Ministries of America

2011-11-17T14:35:00.000-06:00

If you want to give back this holiday season, considerMercy Ministries of America, an established charity since 1983. MercyMinistries provides help to young women dealing with physical and sexual abuse,eating disorders, addiction, depression, and unplanned pregnancy.

The programthat they provide is completely free and biblically-based. They serve alarge population of young women from ages 13 to 28 from different backgrounds. Mostof the women who reach out to Mercy Ministries for help are overwhelmed by life'scircumstances and may have been in and out of different treatment facilitieswithout any success thus far.

MercyMinistries works to equip these women and help them realize their self-worth sothat they can reach their fullest potential.

The ministry is designed to help women stopdestructive patterns in their lives and prepares them to reenter theircommunities. If you're interested, you can donate a monetary amount or evensponsor a young woman. You can also become what is called a Treasure Builder, where you will partnerwith Mercy Ministries on a continuous basis to help young women in need.

If you're more of a roll up your sleeves and get yourhands dirty type of person, there are also specific volunteer opportunitiesavailable. For more information, check out the official website.