Coffee for health

Studies show the beverage improves brain function.

According to the Oxford Dictionary blog, three unusual words for a cup of coffee are: “skilly,” nautical slang for a too-weak brew; “sergeant-major,” military slang for coffee with milk and sugar; and “coffee Biggin,” a cup brewed in a filtered drip pot first invented by George Biggin around 1780. Then there are the more downto-earth synonyms of “java,” “mud,” “jamocha” and “Joe.”

But whatever you call it, this universal beverage improves cognitive function and heart health. And the good news keeps coming: An observational study of 500,000 people in Europe published in the Annals of Internal Medicine showed that drinking at least three cups a day – caffeinated or decaf – improved liver and immune function and, during 16 years of the study’s followup, reduced the chance of an untimely death. For the 54 per cent of Americans 18 and older who already drink 3.1 cups a day, enjoy the benefits!

But if coffee isn’t your beverage of choice, here are some other great beverages that confer bountiful health benefits. Green tea: Helps lower lousy LDL cholesterol, and a Japanese study showed that five cups a day reduces your risk of death from cardiovascular disease, including stroke.

Black tea: Although most tea studies feature green tea, drinking black tea is also a heart healthy choice. Chicken broth: While some studies show that drinking this soothing liquid may help tamp down the common cold and stimulate nasal fluids that help block infections, others indicate that it may be an antiinflammatory. We say, it tastes so good, why not enjoy?

Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of “The Dr. Oz Show,” and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Wellness Officer and Chair of Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic. To live your healthiest, tune into “The Dr. Oz Show” or visit www.sharecare.com.