Know the goodness of filtered coffee
In a good news for coffee lovers, researchers have found that coffee can help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes — but only filtered coffee, rather than boiled coffee. The study, published in the Journal of Internal Medicine, shows that the choice of preparation method influences the health effects of coffee.
The findings from Chalmers University of Technology and Umea University in Sweden, offer new insight into this connection, using a novel method to help differentiate between the effects of filtered coffee and boiled coffee.
“We have identified specific molecules — ‘biomarkers’ — in the blood of those taking part in the study, which indicate the intake of different sorts of coffee. These biomarkers are then used for analysis when calculating type 2 diabetes risk,” said study researcher Rikard Landberg, Professor at Umea University.
“Our results now clearly show that filtered coffee has a positive effect in terms of reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. But boiled coffee does not have this effect,” Landberg added.
With the use of these biomarkers, the researchers were able to show that people who drank two to three cups of filtered coffee a day had a 60 per cent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than people who drank less than one cup of filtered coffee a day. Consumption of boiled coffee had no effect on the diabetes risk in the study.
Facebook-owned photo and videosharing platform Instagram helps young adults develop friendships in real life, especially those who are more hesitant to try new experiences, a new study suggests. In the study published online in Computers in Human Behavior, the researchers at Washington State University analysed survey responses of nearly 700 college-going adults about their perceptions and use of the social media site.
“Our findings are optimistic: that selfdisclosure on Instagram could facilitate friendship development, even if followers were just casual acquaintances at the start,” said study lead author Danielle Lee from Washington State University.
The analysis found that the young adults liked how Instagram was easy to use as well as the many features of the highly visual platform. This encouraged them to express themselves on the social media site, which in turn led to new and deeper relationships offline.
The results of the study suggested that Instagram had a greater effect on people who ranked low on the personality trait of “openness” meaning they tend to be more reserved and closed to new experiences than those who ranked high in this trait.
“Studies have shown that in general people who are not extroverted, who might be somewhat shy, find social media platforms an easier way to interact with other people,” said study co-author and researcher Porismita Borah, Associate Professor at the WSU.
“Instagram is such a visually rich platform and that really helps in self-presentation,” Borah said. A large majority, 71 per cent, of young Americans age 18 to 24 use Instagram, according to a 2018 Pew Research Center survey.
“In Instagram, you can change the image the way you want with filters and many different tools before posting it,” said Borah. “Both media richness and user-friendliness come together in Instagram, which is probably what makes it so appealing to the younger generation,” Borah added.