Liquid News: What’s up in your cup?

A familiar caffeine buzz can fuel alertness and speed reaction time, and also raise blood pressure, heart rate and anxiety. Still, if you’re like most people, you probably drink coffee – lots of it.

Sure, green tea has grabbed its share of attention lately, but it was a coffee study that recently gave University of Florida researchers a jolt. Their scientific analysis of specialty coffees, reported in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology, found almost twice as much caffeine in a 16 ounce Starbucks regular (259 mg) as in a Dunkin’ Donuts regular (143 mg). Then, over six consecutive days, caffeine concentrations varied wildly (259–564 mg/dose) for the same brands from the same outlets. And the decaf had (gasp) caffeine, although less than 17.7 mg. Researchers say the choice of bean and how it’s ground, roasted and brewed probably accounts for the difference.

Of course, if you prefer your morning kick carbonated, the new research linking regular cola drinking to lower bone density in women could make you sit up. But don’t blame the caffeine (45 mg per 12 ounce serving). The phosphoric acid may be the culprit, interfering with mineral absorption, according to recent findings presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. The women in the study who downed daily cola drinks (not clear sodas) had decreased bone mineral density compared to occasional cola drinkers. While phosphoric acid comes naturally in other foods and beverages, researchers say the same problem doesn’t seem to occur, probably because it’s packaged with other nutrients such as calcium for balance.

Which brings us back to green tea. Acquiring a green tea habit could have its compensations – lower cholesterol, fewer head colds, sweeter breath, a healthier heart – and scientists now suspect green tea may help prevent several types of cancer, according to findings presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Second Annual International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research. Apparently, green tea is loaded with naturally occurring phytochemicals that act like antioxidants. And an eight-ounce cup of green tea has less caffeine (14-37 mg) than black tea (50 mg), and much less than cola and coffee.

Green tea may or may not live up to its promise, but maybe it wouldn’t hurt to try a cup just in case. Here’s to your health!