Better Health In Your Coffee (Part 3)

This gentlemen says three cups a day is a good number.  I like his style!

Better Health In Your Coffee (Part 2)

Coffee Health Risks: For the moderate drinker, coffee is safe says Harvard Women’s Health Watch

Despite 20 years of reassuring research, many people still avoid caffeinated coffee because they worry about its health effects. However, current research reveals that in moderation—a few cups a day—coffee is a safe beverage that may even offer some health benefits. The September issue of Harvard Women’s Health Watch weighs the pros and cons of this popular beverage and eases the concerns of moderate coffee drinkers.

The latest research has not only confirmed that moderate coffee consumption doesn’t cause harm, it’s also uncovered possible benefits. Studies show that the risk for type 2 diabetes is lower among regular coffee drinkers than among those who don’t drink it. Also, coffee may reduce the risk of developing gallstones, discourage the development of colon cancer, improve cognitive function, reduce the risk of liver damage in people at high risk for liver disease, and reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease. Coffee has also been shown to improve endurance performance in long-duration physical activities.

For those who drink coffee to stay alert, new research suggests that you’ll stay more alert, particularly if you are fighting sleep deprivation, if you spread your coffee consumption over the course of the day. For instance, if you usually drink 16 ounces in the morning, try consuming a 2-3 ounce serving every hour or so. Again, moderation is the key.

However, as the September issue notes, coffee is not completely innocent. Caffeine, coffee’s main ingredient is a mild addictive stimulant. And coffee does have modest cardiovascular effects such as increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, and occasional irregular heartbeat that should be considered. Studies have been largely inconclusive regarding coffee and its effect on women’s health issues such as breast health, cancer, and osteoporosis. But, the negative effects of coffee tend to emerge in excessive drinking so it is best to avoid heavy consumption.

Source: http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/coffee_health_risk

A short series: Better Health In Your Coffee (Part 1)

During this start-up process we read a copious amount of articles and the like.  We thought it was fascinating just how much material there is on coffee and the associated health benefits so we decided to share our favorites.  Although we would love to find an article saying you can drink all the coffee you want, it seems coffee falls into the same category as EVERYTHING ELSE; benefits are only found in moderation…  Nonetheless, it’s nice to know my tri-daily cup o’ Joe is doing more than just tasting tasty.

Drinking cups of tea and coffee ‘can prevent diabetes’

Three to four cups a day appeared to offer some protection

Tea and coffee drinkers have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a large body of evidence shows.

And the protection may not be down to caffeine since decaf coffee has the greatest effect, say researchers in Archives of Internal Medicine.

They looked at 18 separate studies involving nearly 500,000 people.

This analysis revealed that people who drink three or four cups of coffee or tea a day cut their risk by a fifth or more, say researchers.

The same amount of decaffeinated coffee had an even bigger effect, lowering risk by a third.

Type 2 diabetes usually starts after the age of 40 and develops when the body can still make some insulin, but not enough, or when the insulin that is produced does not work properly. Type 2 diabetes is treated with a healthy diet and increased physical activity. In addition to this, medication and/or insulin is often required.

The identification of the active components of these beverages would open up new therapeutic pathways for the primary prevention of diabetes mellitus The study authors

If the findings prove true, doctors may well start advising people to put the kettle on as well as take more exercise and watch their weight, say the researchers.

When the authors combined and analysed the data, they found that each additional cup of coffee consumed in a day cut diabetes risk by 7%.

Lead researcher Dr Rachel Huxley, from the University of Sydney in Australia, said because of the finding with decaffeinated coffee, the link is unlikely to be solely related to caffeine.

Instead, other compounds in coffee and tea – including magnesium and antioxidants known as lignans or chlorogenic acids – may be involved.

Special brew

“The identification of the active components of these beverages would open up new therapeutic pathways for the primary prevention of diabetes mellitus.

“If such beneficial effects were observed in interventional trials to be real, the implications for the millions of individuals who have diabetes mellitus, or who are at future risk of developing it, would be substantial.”

Dr Victoria King, of Diabetes UK, said: “Without full information about what other factors may be influencing the type 2 diabetes risk of the studies’ participants – such as their physical activity levels and diet – as well as what the active ingredient in tea or coffee appears to be, we cannot be sure what, if anything, this observed effect is down to.

“What we can be sure of is that the development of type 2 diabetes is strongly linked to lifestyle, which means that many cases could be prevented by keeping active and eating a healthy balanced diet that is low in fat, salt and sugar with plenty of fruit and vegetables.”

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8411605.stm

Prospective Locations: New Urbanism Communities

Here at EVOBEAN progress happens daily. From the creation of interactive, artistic renderings to the submission of location proposals, we are all working hard to make the EVOBEAN dream come true. Currently, we are looking for our first Denver location. It is important for us to start out in the city we all live in and in a location that makes sense. Not to mention, we all agree Denver is pretty great too!

So where should the bean evolve?

New Urbanists in particular, are a very progressive, forward-thinking group who “support regional planning for open space, context-appropriate architecture and planning, and the balanced development of jobs and housing. They believe their strategies can reduce traffic congestion, increase the supply of affordable housing, and rein in urban sprawl.” (Source: http://www.wikipedia.com) Furthermore, New Urbanists focus on green initiatives and the reduction of green house gasses through alternative methods of transportation. “Giving people many choices for living an urban lifestyle in sustainable, convenient and enjoyable places, while providing the solutions to peak oil, global warming, and climate change”. (http://www.newurbanism.org/newurbanism.html). These communities incorporate innovations and ideas such as walk-able urbanism, electric transportation, and renewable energy, just to name a few.

So you see, any of these places could be the perfect home for our prototype kiosks. Granting an opportunity to test innovations and challenge assumptions resulting in insights that will lead the way to our ability to serve amazing coffee in a new and exciting way.

Coffee Regions

I found this excellent map highlighting the most prolific coffee regions and thought that it ought to be on our page!

BEAN BELT: From humble origins in Africa, coffee cultivation wandered east and west, eventually forming a belt roughly bounded by the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.

Growing regions typically offer moderate sunshine and rain, steady temperatures around 70ºF (20ºC), and rich, porous soil. In return the delicate tree yields beans that are an economic mainstay for dozens of countries and about 25 million people—and, among natural commodities, have a monetary value surpassed only by oil. Of the two main coffee trees, arabicas beget the better beans—and about 70 percent of the harvest. The harsher beans of the hardier robusta tree account for about 30 percent. (www.nationalgeographic.com)

COFFEE BLOOMS IN BRAZIL!

1727: Brazil’s government wants a cut of the coffee market; but first, they need an agent to smuggle seeds from a coffee country. Enter Lt. Col. Francisco de Melo Palheta, the James Bond of Beans.

Colonel Palheta is dispatched to French Guiana, ostensibly to mediate a border dispute. Eschewing the fortress-like coffee farms, suave Palheta chooses a path of less resistance—the governor’s wife. The plan pays off. At a state farewell dinner she presents him a sly token of affection: a bouquet spiked with seedlings.

From these scant shoots sprout the world’s greatest coffee empire. By 1800 Brazil’s monster harvests would turn coffee from an elite indulgence to an everyday elixir, a drink for the people. (www.nationalgeographic.com)

New Partner: Henry Huston!!

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is with great pleasure that we can officially introduce Mr. Henry Huston, “The Professor,” as a partner of the EVOBEAN Coffee Company.  Professor Huston comes to EVOBEAN as a seasoned entrepreneur whose skills have been recognized and appreciated as nothing short of invaluable.  Allow me also to note his infallible character.  Although he may try to disagree, the professor is a man whom exudes professionalism, a superior understanding of business strategy, a kindhearted humor and youthful charisma that will no doubt propel EVOBEAN to a level otherwise unobtainable.

As you all know we are on the cusp of launching a project started one year ago this very month.  The bean has seen its fair share of challenges, but as the team has grown deeper in its understanding of one another and overall belief in this venture’s objectives, these challenges have been met and overcome with greater efficiency and more laughter.  It is our greatest honor to be a part of such a diverse group of professionals and peers.

Professor, welcome.  And behalf of us all, LETS POUR SOME COFFEE!!!

Sincerely,

Team Evo