Is coffee healthy?

By Lisa Drayer, CNN

CNN)Yes, go ahead and grab that cup of joe, or two, or more. Doing so may improve
your health and help you live longer, suggests new research.

In a new observational study involving close to 20,000 individuals, people who

consumed at least four cups of coffee daily had a 64% lower risk of early death
compared to those never or rarely consumed coffee

A new study has shown coffee can reduce your risk of early death.
The reduction in risk was more significant once people reached the age of 45,
suggesting that it may be even more beneficial to consume coffee as we get older.
These findings echo the recent results of another large observational study, which found
that coffee drinkers appear to live longer, regardless of whether they consume regular or
decaf coffee.
Health effects of coffee: Where do we stand?
Coffee has also been shown to reduce the risk of many diseases, including type 2
diabetes, liver disease, colorectal cancer, Alzheimer's and skin cancer, too.
"Coffee is loaded with antioxidants," said Joe DeRupo, a spokesman for the National
Coffee Association. "Many are naturally occurring antioxidants found in the coffee
bean, while others are created during the roasting process. It's these compounds that
science links with positive effects in reducing the risk of several diseases."
Some of the compounds commonly found in coffee "have been related to better insulin
sensitivity, liver function and reduced chronic inflammation," said V. Wendy Setiawan,
an associate professor of preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC,
and the lead author of one of the recent studies on coffee consumption and longevity.
Cup of caution
While coffee consumption may appear to be healthful for many, others should proceed
with caution. Pregnant women, for example, should cautiously limit their intake of
caffeinated coffee.
"Current evidence suggests that consuming moderate amounts of caffeine up to 200 mg
per day, the amount in a 12-ounce cup of coffee, is not associated with increased risks
for miscarriage or preterm birth," said Dr. Joseph Wax, chair of the American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Obstetric Practice. "However, data are
contradictory regarding these pregnancy outcomes when women consume more than
200 mg per day of caffeine." Additionally, "there is insufficient evidence to draw any
conclusion regarding the effects of caffeine on fetal growth."
If you have any heart conditions, you should also limit your coffee and caffeine
consumption. "Caffeine is an aggravator and accelerator of one's heart rate," said Dr.
Vince Bufalino, a spokesman for the American Heart Association and senior vice
president and senior medical director of Cardiology-AMG, Advocate Health Care, in
Naperville, Illinois. "Those with atrial fibrillation (commonly known as irregular
heartbeat) or hypertension should limit their caffeine intake. One to two cups daily is
probably fine, but if you are sensitive, you should restrict all caffeine."
Keep in mind that decaffeinated coffee still contains caffeine. An 8-ounce cup of brewed
coffee can contain anywhere from 75 to 165 milligrams of caffeine, whereas
decaffeinated coffee contains an average of 2 to 7 milligrams per cup, depending on
which study you read.
Is cheese healthy?

By Lisa Drayer, CNN

Photos: 10 foods that are healthy, except when they aren't

When it comes to fat and calories, some cheeses are lighter than others. Experts
recommend using it as a flavor enhancer rather than as the focus of a meal.

CNN)Yes, cheese is nutrient-rich -- and tasty -- but it's best to consume it in small
portions.

"Cheese does contain some important nutrients, including calcium and protein, along
with vitamin B12 and zinc. However, the calories can add up quickly if you aren't
mindful," said Kelly Pritchett, a registered dietitian and spokeswoman for the Academy
of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Softer cheeses tend to have fewer calories than hard cheeses: an ounce of whole-milk
ricotta (approximately 2 tablespoons) has about 50 calories, an ounce of feta has 75
calories, and an ounce of whole-milk mozzarella has 85 calories. But an ounce of Swiss
(one slice) has 108 calories, and an ounce of cheddar has 114 calories (picture about a
one-inch cube, depending on the kind).
For the same calories, you can have a cup of black bean soup and probably feel just as
full.
Cheese is also high in saturated fat, which is known to increase LDL cholesterol, the
"bad" cholesterol. In fact, cheese is one of the biggest sources of saturated fat in the US
diet.
Some research (supported by the Danish dairy board) suggests that full-fat cheeses don't
seem to negatively affect LDL cholesterol as would be predicted based on its saturated
fat content.
"It is not clear exactly why this is the case but may have to do with other nutrients in
cheese, like calcium or protein, modifying the way the fat is absorbed or metabolized,"
said Gregory D. Miller, chief science officer for the National Dairy Council.
Still, when it comes to fat content, some cheeses are lighter than others -- and the higher
the fat, the higher the calories. Cottage cheese has the least amount of fat, with 1 gram
per ounce. Ricotta has 4 grams of fat per ounce, and feta and mozzarella have 6 grams
each. Parmesan, Swiss and cheddar are higher in fat, with 7, 8 and 9 grams of fat per
ounce, respectively.
"Using soft cheeses like mozzarella versus cheddar can be helpful if you are looking for
ways to cut calories," Pritchett said.
Interestingly, despite its higher calorie content, hard cheese like cheddar can be
beneficial for your teeth. Aside from getting calcium and other minerals from it,
consuming hard cheese generates saliva, which helps make your mouth less acidic and
your teeth less prone to cavities.
Pritchett suggests using cheese as a flavor enhancer for meals instead of making it the
focus: sprinkle feta or goat cheese on a salad for extra flavor, or add Parmesan to your
favorite soup for extra pep. And if you are enjoying cheese with crackers, limit it to 1
ounce.
"This would be the equivalent of a couple of dominos for softer cheeses like Brie, goat
cheese or Havarti and about 4 small dice for hard cheese like Swiss or cheddar."
Limiting portions will also keep sodium levels in check, as it can be as high as 260
milligrams for an ounce of feta and 390 milligrams for an ounce of hard Parmesan.
So feel free to enjoy cheese, but just be careful not to overdo it.
 A grandmother and 5 Years-old Boy Died Because of Landslide

Berita.com, Kebumen: Family of grandma Sutiyem cried when she was removed from
the heap of soil that befell her body by SAR team. The landslides often occurred in
Krakal Vilage, Kebumen, Central Java. But this time the damage caused quite worse.

As reported by Evening News IndoTV, Tuesday (11/25/2014), heavy rains that occurred
on Monday night, 24 November eroded soil and caused landslides that pile up 6 houses.
A grandmother became victims of the disaster. She could not save herself because she
was asleep when the landslide came.

It happened so fast. Even I could not save anything, said one of the victims whose
home was buried in the ground.

Meanwhile in Cililin region, West Bandung, West Java, A number of houses collapsed
due to heavy rains that eroded settlements soil there. This incident caused a 5 year-old
boy died buried under the ruins of the house. While his father suffered serious injuries
and had to receive treatment in Cililin hospitals.

Landslides also occurred in the District of Coastal Tassel, Pekan Baru, Riau. It caused a
school building collapsed due to buried in the ground. This incident made the schools
was forced to dismiss the learning activity until conditions getting better. Besides
landslides, thousands of homes were flooded due to overflowing of Siak River.
Fortunately, there were no fatalities in this incident. (AN / Sun)