Coffe is Good

I know a lot of moms who would struggle to get through the day without their morning coffee. Now they don't have to feel guilty about drinking it!

If you need a good cup of coffee to get going in the morning, you're probably not alone. And now, new research says a good 'ole cup of joe could give you more than just a little get up and go. love your coffee? (sot: mos) "I love coffee, and I think it's good for the soul." (sot: mos) "It makes me feel good. That's what I go on." Besides the kick, lots of new research suggests coffee may also help kick back at certain diseases.

Studies show coffee lowers the risk for type 2 diabetes, helps protect against liver cancer and perhaps colon cancer, reduces the likelihood of Parkinson's Disease, and may reduce the risk of stroke. (sot: mos) "Those are all positive things in my book. I may have to stop in for my second cup of the day." But before you drink up, wake up and smell the coffee, says Dr. Marcus Reidenberg, professor of pharmacology at the Weill Cornell Medical College. He says the studies make associations, not conclusions. (sot: Dr. Marcus Reidenberg, Weill Cornell Medical College) "Association studies can't prove cause because they are many other differences between people who drink a lot of coffee and people who don't."

While researchers say the benefits of that coffee outweigh most of the risks, there are some caveats you should know about. For example, the caffeine in coffee can raise the heart rate and affect the regularity of the beat. Dr. Richard Brockman, endocrinologist at the hospital for special surgery says watch out for your bones. (sot: dr. richard bockman, endocrinologist) "If you drink more than four cups of black coffee a day, it can affect your skeleton, but if you use milk it probably won't." On the other hand, what was once considered an evil brew is now at least low-risk, if not healthy. (sot: mos) (q: "so after hearing about the health benefits of coffee, will you drink more coffee?" "If I choose to do so, I won't worry!"

I do love coffee, but I don't drink it that often. It always gives me heartburn. And right now it would probably give me contractions too. However, when I do splurge, I get an iced cafe mocha latte with skim milk. I can taste it right now. What's your favorite?s

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Afraid to wear shorts? Do you have unwanted hair? Embarrassed by unsightly varicose or spider veins? NOW is the time to get your legs ready for summer! You don’t have to be afraid to wear shorts because of unwanted hair or unsightly varicose or spider veins.

Call 674-SKIN to schedule your FREE leg vein or hair laser consultation at Soderstrom Skin Institute, and you’ll be ready to show off your beautiful legs this summer!Soderstrom Skin Institute is positioned to be a comprehensive, full service, skin care facility. Visit www.soderstromskininstitute.com to learn what Soderstrom Skin Institute can do for you.

Caffeine and Pregnancy

I just had a conversation with a perinatologist (high risk pregnancy expert ) last week about this very topic.

Here's the story from ABC News:

Expectant mothers have new cause for concern. Pregnant women may want to give up their daily caffeine fix. A new study finds consuming just one and half cups of coffee a day--or more than 200 milligrams of caffeine-- doubles the risk of miscarriage--and that goes for tea, hot chocolate, and soda.

Obstetrician Dr. Tracy Flanagan said, "What's different about this study is that it shows that a fairly low level of caffeine may be associated with miscarriage, and that's important."

Pregnant women have long been advised to limit their caffeine. Now Dr. Flanagan is counseling her patients to give it up altogether.

It's not clear why caffeine can cause miscarriage. It is known to cross the placenta and can be difficult for the fetus to metabolize.

So what's a pregnant mom looking for an energy boost to do?

Doctors suggest taking a brisk walk, yoga or go ahead and get that grande latte, but make it decaf.

I just talked to Peoria Perinatologist Dr. Michael Leonardi about doing a blog on what women can do to prevent miscarriage. It sounds like caffeine will be high on that list. I will email Dr. Leondardi and post his other tips later this week.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen