Monday, March 18, 2019

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Caffeine: A Cure for Baldness?

caffeine and baldness

Caffeine may help balding men and women regrow some hair.

Research published in the International Journal of Dermatology concludes that caffeine is " a stimulator of human hair growth "

Hair restoration is a multi-billion dollar industry and this research could eventually lead to safer, more effective cures for baldness.



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Caffeine and Baldness Research


The researchers who worked on this project were TW Fischer MD, UC Hipler PhD and P. Elsner MD.

  •     They took biopsies from the scalps of 14 men in the early stages of hair loss.
  •     They then exposed the hair follicles to solutions containing different levels of caffeine.
  •     They also exposed some of the follicles to DHT, the hormone responsible for hair loss.
  •     After 8 days, even the hair follicles exposed to the DHT showed growth.
  •     Growth was greatest in follicles that were placed in solutions of caffeine only .

See the full journal abstract here.

How Much Caffeine Are We Talking About?

Before you brew yet another cup of coffee, unfortunately, a few extra cups of coffee are not going to do much.

  •     Scientists estimate up to 60 cups a day would be needed for significant amounts to reach follicles in the scalp. (via Daily Mail )

So that's only about 6000mg of caffeine, which might regrow your hair after stopping your heart .

Instead of drinking it - it seems you need to rub a caffeine-rich solution into the scalp.

Fortunately there are some caffeinated shampoos on the market.

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Caffeine Withdrawal & Diarrhea

If a cup of coffee is part of your morning or afternoon routine, you might notice changes as an awake feeling once the caffeinated drink enters your body. Over time, it's possible to develop a dependency on caffeine that can lead to uncomfortable symptoms if you suddenly stop consuming it. Diarrhea is associated with caffeine, but it is not a typical side effect of caffeine withdrawal.



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Peet's Coffee Major Dickason's Blend Dark Roast Coffee K-Cup Coffee Pods (32 Count)




Caffeine Withdrawal

Caffeine withdrawal is problematic enough that Johns Hopkins recommended it in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, a leading journal on mental health. Typical symptoms of withdrawal can include drowsy feeling, headaches and irritability. More extreme withdrawal symptoms include nausea and vomiting. Diarrhea is not a typical side effect of stopping caffeine suddenly, according to MedlinePlus.

Caffeine and Diarrhea


If you consume a caffeinated product such as coffee and diarrhea, this gastrointestinal issue might be the result of your caffeine intake. Caffeine can help stimulate your bowels to improve your regularity and even cause your stools to be looser than normal. Although caffeine does not affect everyone in the same way, consuming six to eight cups might lead to side effects such as diarrhea.

Causes of Diarrhea

If you experience diarrhea around the same time you cease your caffeine, the diarrhea is not necessarily a symptom of withdrawal. Common causes of diarrhea include bacterial infections such as salmonella or E. coli, viral infections such as rotavirus and norovirus, intolerances to foods such as lactose or sugar, intestinal illnesses or adverse reactions to medicine. If you have diarrhea, avoid caffeinated products, which might be the condition.

Reducing Your Caffeine Intake

Because of the difficult symptoms of caffeine withdrawal, it can be easier to reduce your intake of this stimulant over a period of time rather than stop suddenly. Slowly reducing your caffeine intake lessens the withdrawal symptoms, but the exact amount of time needed to get through the symptoms varies by individual. If coffee is your caffeine-containing choice, avoid the temptation to replace it with other sources of caffeine, such as tea or chocolate.

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Side Effects of Caffeine on Men

Caffeine is a stimulant found in some beverages, including many different sodas, coffee and certain teas. Caffeine is also available in tablet form and may be purchased over the counter. Although caffeine is easily obtainable, this compound does have different side effects that may cause serious health problems.



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Maxwell House Breakfast Blend Coffee, K-CUP Pods, 84 Count




Gastrointestinal

Caffeine may cause irritation of the gastrointestinal system in men. In large quantities, caffeine can irritate the stomach, possibly resulting in nausea and vomiting. In some men, this irritation may also cause diarrhea. These side effects are usually temporary, however, and go away once the caffeine has been metabolized or excreted from the body.

Neurological

Caffeine acts as a stimulant, which means it increases activity within the central nervous system. In men, caffeine may cause feelings of increased energy and concentration. In higher doses, caffeine may also cause a "jittery" feeling and result in muscle tremors. Moderately high quantities of caffeine may also lead to a condition known as caffeinism, Drugs.com reports. Caffeinism is marked by restlessness, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. This condition resembles anxiety disorder, and in the restlessness may take the form of agitation or increased aggressive behavior. Men who have problems with anxiety or panic attacks may have their symptoms exacerbated by caffeine. In addition, chronic heavy use of caffeine has been linked to depression. In high doses, caffeine may cause confusion, convulsions, hallucinations and difficulty breathing, according to MedlinePlus.

Renal

Caffeine acts as a diuretic, which means that it increases to man's urine production. The urine is often diluted and may be clear due to the increase in volume. The increased urine output may cause a brief decrease in a man's body weight, according to MayoClinic.com, although this weight loss is temporary and will disappear once the body is able to correct its fluid balance. Because caffeine increases urine output, it may exacerbate dehydration, resulting in feelings of increased thirst and, in severe cases, fatigue or dizziness.

Cardiovascular

MayoClinic.com reports that the caffeine in about 2 to 3 cups of coffee increases systolic blood pressure 3 to 14 mm Hg and increases diastolic blood pressure 4 to 13 mm Hg. According to RxList, caffeine causes other cardiovascular side effects such as tachycardia, which is an increased heart rate, and an increased stroke volume, which means that the heart pumps are unusually hard.

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Signs and Symptoms of Caffeine Intoxication

Caffeine is the world's most popular psychoactive drug. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, the average American consumes approximately 300 mg of caffeine daily, mostly in the form of coffee and soft drinks. While many people enjoy the effects of caffeine, too much can result in a state known as caffeine intoxication.



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Caffeine Intoxication

Caffeine intoxication is a condition with signs and symptoms that are directly related to the ingestion of caffeine. The "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" published by the American Psychiatric Association defines caffeine intoxication as the demonstration of 5 or more characteristic signs of distress or impaired function associated with the of caffeine.

Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of caffeine intoxication vary, depending on the individual and how much caffeine is ingested. Caffeine is a stimulant, and its greatest effect is on the brain. Intoxication often creates feelings of restlessness, nervousness, excitement and insomnia. Incoherent flow of thought and speech, periods of inexhaustibility and agitation are also common. Common physical symptoms include increased urination, stomach upset or pain, nausea and vomiting, muscle twitching and a fast heart rate. Caffeine intoxication can lead to potentially life-threatening signs and symptoms, such as irregular heartbeat, severe electrolyte imbalances and seizures. Immediate medical evaluation and treatment are needed in these situations.

Common Sources of Caffeine


Beverages are some of the most common sources of caffeine. The "Journal of Analytical Toxicology" and US Department of Agriculture report that an 8 oz. serving of coffee contains approximately 95 mg of caffeine and a 12 oz. can of cola-flavored soda contains roughly 30 mg. Other common caffeine sources include espresso, with 64 mg per ounce; black tea, with 47 mg per 8 oz. serving; and energy drinks, with 66 to 77 mg per 8 oz. dog. Over-the-counter caffeine pills typically contain 100 mg each. Additionally, some headache remedies and other over-the-counter medications contain caffeine.

Treatment


Medical treatment is needed for severe or life-threatening symptoms of caffeine intoxication. Medications may be used to manage symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea and anxiety. A 2012 case study published in the "Clinical Kidney Journal" asserts that hemodialysis - mechanical filtering of blood - may be of benefit in cases of severe caffeine intoxication from a massive overdose.

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Does Caffeine Make People Hungry?

Rather than induce hunger, caffeine actually suppresses the appetite and may cause you to skip meals. While it may seem that the caffeine is to blame if you suddenly experience hunger pangs after a long period of drinking caffeinated beverages, your food cravings are probably due to having skipped or delayed a meal. Monitor your eating habits while consuming caffeine to maintain a steady intake of food throughout the day.



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Caffeine and the Body


Caffeine is a psychoactive stimulant that is absorbed and distributed very quickly through the body. After digestion, the caffeine passes into the brain, where it begins to stimulate the central nervous system, blocking fatigue-inducers called adenosine receptors. As a result, your neurons begin firing at an accelerated rate, as your heart rate increases and your hunger cravings become delayed.

Suppressing the Appetite

Your blood sugar levels gradually decline anytime you delay or skip a meal. According to MayoClinic.com, caffeine can reduce your desire to eat for a period of time, causing you to consume fewer calories during the course of a day. By consuming caffeine, your energy levels remain at an artificial peak, while your blood sugar steadily declines. After the caffeine has reached its highest concentration in your blood, you may experience a crash or sudden energy drop that is accompanied by hunger pangs, if you have forgotten to eat.

Other Factors


One possible correlation between caffeine and hunger involves craving comfort foods. As your central nervous system becomes stimulated, your pituitary and hypothalamus glands release stress hormones such as ephinedrine and cortisol, enabling a fight-or-flight response in your body. Because the neural control of your gastrointestinal tract is highly affected by emotions and stress, your caffeine may cause you to crave certain comfort foods to help cope with the increased sensations of anxiety and stress.

Safety Concerns


Always keep your caffeine intake below the 300 milligrams recommended for most healthy adults. Consuming caffeine in excess of 500 milligrams a day may result in unpleasant symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, anxiousness, irritability, upset stomach, increased heart rate and muscle tremors. Talk to your doctor if you routinely experience hunger pangs after consuming caffeine, and try to adopt a regular eating pattern to prevent dips in blood sugar.

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Caffeine Allergy Testing

Most people use caffeine to stimulate their physical and mental performance, but for some people it can cause severe adverse reactions. You may have a caffeine allergy if you develop symptoms after ingesting the substance. In order for a reaction to be classified as an allergy, your body must produce certain chemicals called by your immune system. Some people are intolerant or have sensitivity to caffeine, which causes similar symptoms. Allergy testing can determine which condition is causing your symptoms.



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Caffeine Allergy

A genuine allergy must be caused by the production of immunoglobulin E antibodies, or IgE antibodies, created by the immune system. An allergic reaction occurs when your immune system causes cancer to a harmful substance that could pose a threat to your body. In order to defend the body, IgE antibodies are released to attack the caffeine. This chemical action triggers the production of other chemicals that help defend the body. One of the most significant chemicals is histamine, which, when released in soft tissue, causes inflammation.

Distinctive Difference

Caffeine can have negative effects that are unrelated to an allergic reaction. Ingesting too much caffeine can cause headaches, nausea and diarrhea in anyone, but these effects are unrelated to an allergic reaction. Caffeine intolerance or sensitivity is another condition that can cause symptoms that are similar to an allergy, but does not involve the immune system. Caffeine intolerance is condition that triggers an adverse reaction in the digestive system that can cause symptoms in the body. Caffeine intolerance does not cause the production of IgE antibodies and is therefore not an allergic reaction.

Testing


In order to diagnose your condition, an allergist will perform various tests to determine if your body is creating IgE antibodies when caffeine is introduced into your body. The most common tests used to diagnose an allergy are a skin-prick test and a blood test. A tiny amount of caffeine is placed under your skin to see if it causes irritation or inflammation within 15 minutes. Blood tests require a sample of your blood to be sent to the lab where it is observed under a microscope when caffeine is introduced to it. If IgE antibodies form the caffeine, you will be diagnosed with a caffeine allergy.

Caution

If you are allergic to caffeine, you are at risk of having an allergic reaction during allergy testing. You need to remain under a doctor's supervision for an hour after the testing is completed. If you develop shortness of breath, facial swelling, dizziness or the feeling of a lump in your throat during the testing, inform your doctor immediately.

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Does Caffeine Decrease Breast Milk Supply?

Because you probably kept careful track of your diet during pregnancy to avoid exposing your fetus to anything that could cause harm, you might wonder if you need to maintain the same level of vigilance while you're breastfeeding. Thankfully for fans of coffee and tea, caffeine use during breastfeeding does not appear to decrease milk supply, although drinking too much caffeine can have an impact on some babies.



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Breastfeeding

The distinguishing, unifying feature of mammals - a category of animals that includes humans - is that they all produce milk to feed their babies. Like all mammals, your breasts begin to produce milk after you give birth, and your milk is affected by the quality of your diet. Some medications and chemicals that you consume - including caffeine - can pass to your baby as you breastfeed.

Caffeine and Supply


There is a common misconception that caffeine decreases milk supply, but according to KellyMom.com - a website run by a nurse and lactation consultant - there is no evidence to support this notion. In fact, one study by Dr. A. Nehlig and colleagues in a 1994 edition of the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition" found that caffeine may even stimulate milk production.

Effects

If you choose to consume caffeine while you're breastfeeding, however, you should be aware that this is a small-scale milk, and some babies are very sensitive to caffeine. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers caffeine a substance that is compatible with breastfeeding, but cautions that in excess - more than two cups of coffee per day - caffeine can lead to poor sleep patterns in your baby. This is particularly true of younger infants.

General Guidelines


Generally speaking, it's safe for you to use caffeine in moderation while you're breastfeeding, and being a coffee drinker is not a reason to wean your baby early. The World Health Organization urges mothers to breastfeed as the sole source of infant nutrition until 6 months of age.

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The Effect of Caffeine on an Unborn Baby

Most doctors recommend limiting your caffeine intake during pregnancy. According to BabyCenter.com, there has been no determination on how much caffeine is safe during pregnancy; However, caffeine may put you at an increased risk of miscarriage. Consult your doctor about caffeine if you are pregnant.



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Identification

Caffeine is a drug that is naturally found in the beans, fruit and leaves of some plants and added to certain foods and drinks such coffees, teas, sodas and chocolate. In addition, certain medications may use it as an ingredient. According to KidsHealth.org, caffeine is defined as a drug because of its stimulating effects on the nervous system.

Uses

In addition to caffeine being added to teas, coffees and chocolates, it may also be used medicinally. It may be used as a diuretic to increase urine production or it may be used as a cardiac stimulant. When used in coffees and teas, caffeine may ward off drowsiness and restore alertness. However, excess caffeine may lead to jitters and dehydration.

Effects

When you consume caffeine during pregnancy, the caffeine passes through the placenta for absorption by the fetus. A fetus is not able to metabolize caffeine at the same rate of an adult; therefore, the caffeine may be stored in the fetal bloodstream and reach alarming levels. During pregnancy, caffeine affects your ability to absorb essential minerals such as calcium. This decrease of absorption can cause your baby to be born with weak bones. In addition, it may lead to your baby having caffeine withdrawal at birth and increased breathing rates.

Expert Insight


According to Vanderbilt University, studies have shown that an intake of more than 300 mg of caffeine each day may increase your chance for miscarriage. In addition, the University says that based on animal studies, excess levels of caffeine can cause birth defects, low birth weight and preterm delivery.

SIDS

SIDS is the sudden death of an infant younger than 1 year old that goes unexplained after autopsy. According to the American SIDS Institute, to a nonprofit health organization, a study showed that infants of mothers who consumed excessive amounts of caffeine throughout their pregnancy had a significantly increased risk of SIDS.

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Can Too Much Caffeine Cause Anger & Confusion?

Caffeine has its benefits: It reduces fatigue, stimulates your nervous system and helps you stay alert. However, consuming it in excess has drawbacks; if you drink too much caffeine, you may experience side effects like irritability, nervousness and even anger and confusion. Talk to your doctor about reducing your caffeine intake, and cut back if your is causing you more harm than good.



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Side Effects of Caffeine

Your body absorbs and distributes caffeine rapidly after you consume it, and it does not continually circulate in your bloodstream but is excreted through your urine, explains the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Caffeine provides temporary relief from drowsiness, but it also has some negative side effects. These include feelings of anxiety and restlessness, as well as irritability and anger. If these feelings get in the way of your ability to function and pay attention, you may then experience confusion as well. Too much caffeine can also cause a rapid heart rate, digestive upset and muscle tremors.

How Much Is Too Much?

A moderate dose of caffeine is defined as 200 to 300 milligrams a day, and this translates to 2 to 3 cups of coffee, according to MedlinePlus.com. For most people, this amount is unlikely to cause harm. Heavy consumption is defined as more than 500 to 600 milligrams a day, and it is this amount of intake that is most likely to cause anger, confusion and other adverse symptoms. But some people are more sensitive to caffeine and its effects than others. So even if your is within the moderate range, you should still consider cutting back if you are experiencing negative effects.

Caffeine Content and Ways to Reduce

Caffeine may be in more items than you think - coffee, caffeinated tea, chocolate, cocoa and some sodas all contain caffeine. Certain pain relievers, cold medicines and appetite suppressants may also contain caffeine. If you need to cut back on your caffeine intake, do this over the course of several days or weeks. For example, try lessening your intake of coffee by 1 cup each day, or less if you find that you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Reducing your intake too quickly can cause negative effects as well, which may make you feel even angrier and more confused than when you consume caffeine.

Additional Considerations

Keep in mind that certain medications, such as antibiotics, as well as herbal supplements like echinacea can increase caffeine's concentration in your blood, resulting in negative side effects like anger and confusion. Never stop taking your medications or otherwise altering your diet without first discussing these changes with your health-care provider. People with coronary heart disease or peptic ulcers may have to limit or eliminate their caffeine intake to avoid potential patients' health, according to Drugs.com.

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Caffeine's Effect on Memory, Cognition, and Alzheimer's

Does caffeine help or harm memory?

Caffeine affects brain function and researchers have been investigating whether caffeine improves memory and learning retention or hinders it.

Here are just some of the scientific studies that have investigated caffeine's influence on memory and diseases like Alzheimer's.



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Caffeine's Effect on Cognition

Studies have explored how consuming caffeine can influence a person's memory and cognition. Here are just a few.

  •     One study published in the Physiology & Behavior Journal looked at caffeine's effect on the memory of word lists. The researchers found that they had caffeine, had no effect, but in females, caffeine worsened cognition slightly. Src.
  •     Another study published by Nature Neuroscience found that caffeine administered post-studying students with memory consolidation.
  •     The University of Arizona has not looked at whether caffeine helps during periods when they are not in their optimal periods of arousal. Basically, caffeine given to kids in the morning helped with memory, while caffeine given to kids in the afternoon (a kids optimal arousal time) had no effect.
  •     A similar study found the same phenomenon in adults, but only when caffeine was administered in the afternoon, which is an adult's period of lowest level of arousal.
  •     Another study published in Neuropharmacology found that moderate levels of caffeine seemed to help with some types of memory problems, but excessive caffeine had a negative effect on certain types of memory.
  •     Yet another study published in the Journals of Gerontology showed that women who consumed more than the median daily amount of coffee (261 mg per day) had a reduced risk of developing dementia or memory impairment.

Caffeine, Coffee, and Alzheimer's


1. A team of scientists has studied folks with Alzheimer's and found that "the group that drank the most coffee had the best memories" ( source ).

In a later study, they applied some Alzheimer's inflicted mice with 500mg of caffeine (where do they find these poor rodents?). With 500mg of caffeine the memories of the mice were protected (how do they test that?).

The study author recommended caffeine from coffee as the best source:

  •     Arendash said coffee provides the best source of concentrated caffeine because it also provides antioxidants also known to provide protection against memory loss.
  •     Caffeinated soft drinks do not deliver the same benefit because they lack those antioxidants and also contain sugars , increasing the risk for hypertension or high blood pressure.
  •     While chocolate also is a source of caffeine, one would have to eat 5 pounds of milk chocolate to get the same effects of drinking five cups of caffeinated coffee, Arendash noted.

2. Other research published in the Journal of Neuroinflammation has also shown evidence that caffeine helps prevent this disease.

Basically, they found that caffeine protects the blood-brain barrier, which helps prevent the brain damage responsible for Alzheimer's.

You can read more about the study at BBC News .

3. A study conducted by Alzheimer's Europe and the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee found that 3 to 5 cups of coffee a day is the optimal amount to protect the brain from degenerative illnesses such as Alzheimer's.

The study also cited a Mediterranean Diet as another factor that lowers the risk of developing Alzheimer's.

More about this study here.

4. Researchers from the Krembil Brain Institute believe that they have isolated the compound in roasted coffee that is responsible for coffee's protective effect against Alzheimer's disease. This compound is produced when coffee beans are roasted and the darker the roast, the more compound is produced.

  • New research from Barcelona, ​​Spain showed that caffeine may worsen Alzheimer's symptoms in those that already have the disease. This study was conducted using mice but may have similar applications in humans.
  • Natural and Moderate Caffeine Seems Best

From the above research, we conclude that caffeine does show some benefit to memory. There is evidence that it helps prevent diseases like Alzheimer's and helps improve certain types of memory.

However, to get the most memory-boosting benefits, we recommend the following:

  •     Consuming caffeine from natural sources such as coffee and tea.
  •     Consuming a moderate amount of caffeine that is considered safe for your age and health profile.
  •     Consuming caffeine during your non-optimal period of arousal during your work or school day.

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Prevent a Stroke By Drinking Caffeine

Drinking caffeinated coffee may reduces stroke risk in some people.

This is especially interesting since caffeine is known to raise blood pressure , which is a significant risk factor for having a stroke.

However, it is likely that the caffeine is not the chemical responsible for this, but the antioxidants naturally occurring in coffee.



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The Coffee and Stroke Risk Research

A research study out of Sweden revealed that women who consumed more than a cup of caffeinated coffee daily reduced their risk of stroke by 22 to 25 percent.

In the study, researchers followed 34,670 women (ages 49 to 83) for an average of 10.4 years. Those that drank little or no caffeinated coffee had an increased instance of stroke. Src.

This study looked at caffeine naturally found in coffee, so to say that energy drinks or other artificially caffeinated products would prevent a stroke as well, would not be accurate.

Sweden was the 6th most caffeinated country last year so it's a great place to conduct caffeine research.

Another similar study out of Spain followed 80,036 women who participated in the Nurses' Health Study and found that coffee reduced the risk of stroke among this group of women as well. Src .

These studies give some new insight into the health benefits of coffee and some evidence that women can prevent a stroke by making caffeinated coffee a big part of their healthy diet.

What about Men?

There are a few studies that have also explored coffee and caffeine's relationship to stroke risk among men.

One study looked at male smokers, their coffee, and risk of stroke. With this study, brain infarction risk was reduced but other forms of stroke were not. Src .

A study out of Honolulu looked at 499 hypertensive men over a 25 year period and if they increased their risk for stroke. This study concluded that menopause with high blood pressure increased their risk of thromboembolic stroke by consuming caffeinated coffee. Src .

A meta-analysis of prospective studies involving coffee and stroke was conducted in 2011 by Swedish researchers by looking at research conducted between 1966 and 2011. Src .

Coffee, Stroke, Caffeine Bottom Line

It seems like the research would tell us, that people with high blood pressure should keep caffeine to a minimum , but for those with normal blood pressure, caffeinated coffee may offer some protection against stroke.

People can even further reduce their risk of stroke by consuming a healthy diet loaded with colorful vegetables and fruit with very little processed food and added oils added in.

Coffee is just one way to get more antioxidants in your diet for increased health and less risk of stroke.