DRINKING COFFEE CAN INCREASE YOUR LIFESPAN

Coffee lovers, good news again. You can now relish as many as eight cups a day without guilt. A new study shows consuming coffee will help you live longer. A survey covering around half–a-million British adults shows that coffee drinkers have a lower risk of death over 10 years than non-coffee drinkers do.

The apparent longevity boost was seen with instant, ground and decaffeinated, results that echo U.S. research. This is the first large study that reveals the benefit even in people with genetic glitches affecting how their bodies use caffeine.

Overall, coffee drinkers were about 10 per cent to 15 per cent less likely to die than abstainers during a decade of follow-up. Differences by the amount of coffee consumed and genetic variations were minimal. The study was published in journal Jama Internal Medicine.

Researchers are still not clear on how drinking coffee affects longevity. According to lead author Erikka Loftfield, a researcher at the U.S. National Cancer institute, the 1,000 plus chemical compounds present in the coffee, including antioxidants, help in protecting cells from damage.

Other studies show that certain elements found in coffee help reduce inflammation and improves how the body uses insulin, thus lessening the chances for developing diabetes, Leftfield says the efforts to explain the potential longevity benefit are continuing.

FOOD TALK: MORINGA LEAVES

The miraculous moringa leaves offer multiple health benefits. Consuming one cup of fresh, chopped leaves (21 grams) supports in building body cells, fighting a host of illnesses including colds and flu, shields against eye disease, skin disease, heart ailments, diarrhoea, and many other diseases.

Moringa is rich in antioxidants that act against free radicals in your body. High levels of free radicals may cause oxidative stress, associated with chronic diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Moringa leaves are also highly nutritious and should be beneficial for people who are lacking in essential nutrients.

MEDICAL GADGET OF THE WEEK: BREO INECK 2 NECK MASSAGER

This Breo-patented massager relaxes the neck through kneading, pressing and massage. Using Shiatsu massage techniques, it eases tensed muscles, relieves stress, and fully relaxes neck and shoulders. It also helps stimulate blood circulation and improves oxygen supply to alleviate neck pain and stiffness and improve sleep quality.