The Monday Morning Stimulus

Earth.com claims Drinking more coffee doesn’t always mean more caffeine in your body

A small, hidden difference in how the body processes caffeine appears to shape diabetes risk in ways everyday habits fail to explain. The signal does not come from the coffee cup, but from what happens after caffeine enters the bloodstream.

Genetic differences that slow the body’s breakdown of caffeine were associated with about 19 percent lower odds of type 2 diabetes, independent of coffee intake. Using DNA as a guide, researchers at the Karolinska Institutet (KI) looked past coffee cups and focused on caffeine levels inside the body.

Dr. Susanna C. Larsson led the work at KI and coordinated data analysis for this project. Her team studies how diet-related exposures and genetics combine to shape long-term risk for metabolic and heart disease. The results put caffeine biology, rather than beverage habits, at the center of debates about weight and diabetes.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Melon Season up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

The Monday Morning Stimulus

J Po, How many cups of coffee a day lower the risk of dementia?  I worry about confusing cause and effect in studies like this. Maybe people without dementia fix and drink more coffee? 

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Obligatory World Cup Post up on time and under budget at The Other McCain.

The Wednesday Wetness

Fox, Filtered water at specific ages could add months to your lifespan decades later, new study finds. Color me skeptical. There are cases of where drinking bad water can kill you, but if you drink water from a regulated water provider, I doubt that added filtration has any benefit. 

The Wombat has Rule Five Sunday: Outstanding In Her Field up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

The Monday Morning Stimulus

With some help from Victoria Vesce:

From Science Alert, Caffeine in Your Blood Might Affect Body Fat And Diabetes Risk, Study Shows

"Genetically predicted higher plasma caffeine concentrations were associated with lower BMI and whole body fat mass," the researchers wrote in their paper, published in March 2023.

"Furthermore, genetically predicted higher plasma caffeine concentrations were associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Approximately half of the effect of caffeine on type 2 diabetes liability was estimated to be mediated through BMI reduction."

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Snow Bunnies up on time and under budget.

The Monday Morning Stimulus

So, good news, or bad news. OK, good news first. Sci Tech Daily, This Daily Coffee Habit May Help Slow the Aging Process. And the bad news? From Sprudge, Coffee Consumption Linked With Higher Chronic Pain In Older Individuals.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Monday: Boots & Bikinis up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

Thursday Tanlines

Sky News (UK) , Tanning ads banned over misleading information about safety "Some of the "problematic claims" made by ads for The Sun Company, SunShine Co and Tanbox Towcester, as well as for Tan & Deliver Home Hire Sunbeds and Byrokko, included that sunbed use is safe or that tanning can be achieved safely." I wonder what Amelia thinks about tanlines. 

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: All You Can Eat marinated and ready for consumption at The Other McCain.

The Monday Morning Stimulus

With Cheyenne Swenson:

Epoch Times Health, Caffeine Gum: Fast Energy, Faster Absorption—but Not Without Risks "Caffeine gum fits in your pocket, making it convenient for people who want a controlled dose of caffeine for a mental or physical edge." No thanks, but if you want to, go for it.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: All You Can Eat marinated and ready for consumption at The Other McCain.

Tattoo Thursday

Science Alert: Tattoos Affect Your Immune System in Ways We're Only Beginning to Understand

So it must not be that bad.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: But First, Coffee awaiting your digital amusement at The Other McCain.

Tuesday Tanlines

From USA Today, Tanning beds should have warnings like cigarette packages, experts say. Here's why.

So should newspapers.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: But First, Coffee  awaiting your digital amusement at The Other McCain.

The Monday Morning Stimulus

With a little help from Julia Lescova:

Science daily, Newly discovered coffee compounds beat diabetes drug in lab tests

Roasted coffee may do more than wake you up—it could help control blood sugar. Researchers discovered several new coffee compounds that inhibit α-glucosidase, a key enzyme linked to type 2 diabetes. Some of these molecules were even more potent than a common anti-diabetic drug. The study also introduced a faster, greener way to uncover health-boosting compounds in complex foods.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: But First, Coffee awaiting your digital amusement at The Other McCain.

The Monday Morning Stimulus

At Health, Green Tea vs. Coffee: Which Is Better for Your Energy and Heart Health?

Green tea and coffee are two popular beverages that can increase alertness and are associated with a range of health benefits, including supporting heart health. However, the best one for boosting energy and protecting your cardiovascular system depends on your goals and individual needs. Coffee Provides Quick Energy, While Green Tea Supports Sustained Alertness

Whether you get better energy from green tea or coffee depends on your goals. While caffeine content varies, coffee generally has more per serving—about 80 to 100 milligrams (mg) per 8 ounces compared with 25 to 50 mg in the same amount of green tea.23 “The higher concentration of caffeine in coffee gives people a quicker and bigger boost of energy,” said Natasha Bhuyan, MD, a family physician and national medical director at One Medical.

Green tea, on the other hand, may not provide an immediate jolt, but it contains compounds that support more sustained alertness. “Green tea contains L-theanine, which is an amino acid that can promote calm alertness and reduce jitteriness,” Alison Swiggard, MS, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian with CV Wellbeing, told Health.

I've got nothing against tea:

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Hello, Nurse! up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

The Monday Morning Stimulus

The Peacock, Coffee may protect against irregular heartbeats 

During the six-month study, 111 people, or 56%, had a recurrent episode of atrial flutter. People in the coffee drinking group were less likely to have a recurrence — 47% compared to 64% of people in the no-coffee group — and went a longer period of time before they had their first episode.

It's so good for you they might have to make it mandatory.

Seriously, though, I have two younger friends with A-fib, and both had strokes. OTH, my mom had it for years, and never had a stroke. 

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: It’s Always Warm & Sunny Somewhere up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

The Monday Morning Stimulus

At BestLife, Your Cup of Coffee Could Prevent Depression, Research Shows—Here’s How

a new study published in the European Journal of Pharmacology has me reconsidering how I go about my coffee drinking habits.

According to their findings, drinking coffee before high-stress situations can regulate the gut-brain axis and, subsequently, could stave off feelings related to depression and anxiety.

Using a mouse model, researchers deduced that early caffeine intervention can help prevent stress-induced depression. They ran a chronic unpredictable stress paradigm on two groups of mice, one of which was pre-administered daily injections of caffeine before stress exposure. The others completed the experiment without treatment. A third class of mice, which didn’t undergo treatment or testing, served as the control group.

“This preventive design allows us to explore whether caffeine can mitigate the development of stress-induced depression, rather than merely alleviating symptoms after they have already manifested,” explained the authors.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Gother Than Thou up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

The Monday Morning Stimulus

 With a little help from Irina Voronina:

Alabama News, The way you drink coffee could determine how long you live, study finds

The researchers found that people who drink coffee showed a lower risk of all-cause mortality, but when more than a little sugar and saturated fat was added, the risks were heightened. While limited in scope, the study suggests that drinking caffeinated coffee could help you live longer, while decaffeinated coffee drinkers saw no difference in mortality rates. And taking sugar, milk and cream in your coffee could increase mortality.

“Few studies have examined how coffee additives could impact the link between coffee consumption and mortality risk, and our study is among the first to quantify how much sweetener and saturated fat are being added,” researcher Bingjie Zhou said. “Our results align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans which recommend limiting added sugar and saturated fat.”

I would suggest that the results result from people who use creamers and sugar in their coffee also consuming more in the remainder of their diet.  

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Add More Ginger As Required up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

The Monday Morning Stimulus

 With fish girl/model Eleni Stewart:

From Science Alert, Coffee Could Be The Secret to Healthy Aging For Women, Scientists Discover. I don't think Leni is ever going to grow old.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Surf’s Up up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

The Monday Morning Stimulus

From Everyday Health, Is ‘Cloud Coffee’ Really Good for You? "This combination of ice, espresso, and coconut water could be the drink of the summer. But is it as healthy as people claim?"

If you’re looking for a new way to get your coffee fix this summer, you might be enticed by a concoction that’s trending on social media: "cloud coffee," an iced drink topped with coconut water.

Fans of cloud coffee swear it’s better for you than an ordinary cup of joe. One TikTok creator racked up almost half a million views raving about this “hydrating elixir of electrolytes.”

While recipes vary, this person started by pouring a shot of espresso over ice, then added coconut water and a splash of nut milk. Others on TikTok add coconut cream or coconut flakes to change things up or use a frother to make the drink extra cloudy.

Whether or not cloud coffee is healthy depends on the ingredients, says Samantha Heller, RD, a registered dietitian in New York City. While coconut water does have benefits, some versions of the drink, she says, contain a good dose of saturated fat, sugar, and calories.

It’s not crazy to think cloud coffee might be more hydrating than your ordinary daily brew. That’s because coconut water is rich in potassium, an electrolyte that can help maintain the right balance of fluids in the body.

Indeed, some research suggests that coconut water may work as well as sports drinks at replacing fluids lost during a workout. A study of experienced cyclists, for example, found that coconut water replenished fluids just as well as commercially available sports drinks.

That's the first I've heard of it.  Sounds good, but it would probably be better with a shot of rum.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Country Girl in Carhartts up on time and under budget.

The Monday Morning Stimulus

Sci Tech Daily, The Shocking Link Between Office Coffee and Heart Health

A new Swedish study reveals that many common office coffee machines fail to filter out cholesterol-elevating compounds found in coffee, sometimes leaving behind even more than espresso or French press. Depending on the machine and brewing method, the amount of harmful diterpenes like cafestol and kahweol can vary widely, and frequent coffee drinkers may be unknowingly boosting their LDL cholesterol levels.

I just had blood work. LDL is fine.  

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: In & Out up at The Other McCain.

Tuesday Tanlines

ARMAGH I, ‘Tanning is good for you’: Armagh salon owner criticises ‘misinformation’

An Armagh-based tanning salon owner and Vice-Chair of The Sunbed Association (TSA) has spoken of what he believes to be the benefits of controlled tanning – arguing against the spread of “misinformation” and “outdated” science. TSA Vice-Chair and Armagh local, Joe McGlinchey puts, quite simply: “People like to tan. Sunshine makes them feel good.”

And this is something he says we should enjoy… in a controlled fashion. Speaking to Armagh I, Joe explained: “We all need water, sunlight and food to survive – but abusing any of those can have consequences. It is true what they say – everything should be enjoyed in moderation.”

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: The Long View up on time and under budget at The Other McCain.

The Monday Morning Stimulus

Cassandra Fiona Houck

From Best Life, When and Where You Drink Your Coffee Could Affect Heart Health and Longevity, New Studies Find, "For optimal health, you may want to drink your coffee at home and in the morning." I should be good, then. 

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: The Long View up on time and under budget at The Other McCain.

The Monday Morning Stimulus

Science Alert, Caffeine in Your Blood Could Affect Body Fat And Diabetes Risk, Study Reveals.

The levels of caffeine in your blood could affect the amount of body fat you carry, a factor that in turn could determine your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Those are the findings of a 2023 study that used genetic markers to establish a more definitive link between caffeine levels, BMI, and type 2 diabetes risk.

The research team, from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, the University of Bristol in the UK, and Imperial College London in the UK, said calorie-free caffeinated drinks could be explored as a potential means of helping reduce body fat levels. "Genetically predicted higher plasma caffeine concentrations were associated with lower BMI and whole body fat mass," the researchers wrote in their paper, published in March 2023. "Furthermore, genetically predicted higher plasma caffeine concentrations were associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Approximately half of the effect of caffeine on type 2 diabetes liability was estimated to be mediated through BMI reduction."

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: F**k Art, Let’s Dance up and running at The Other McCain.