COFFEE: YOU MEAN IT’S ACTUALLY GOOD FOR YOU? (Part 6)
DRINK IT BLACK
People who are concerned about their sugar intake should drink their coffee black. If and upset stomach is a concern, then drink a lighter brew, American style (translators note: Japanese prefer their coffee much darker than Americans. In Japan, a lighter brew is known by the name “American”). In fact the tannin in coffee will create a film that will protect the stomach by bonding with proteins in the stomach wall. An upset stomach from too much sugar in one’s coffee should be a greater concern.
Diluting a dark cup of coffee to obtain a lighter brew is not recommended, as this decreases the amount of caffeine in the cup, and ruins the coffee’s aroma and flavor. Instead, use a light roast and allow the hot water to pass through the filter quickly. This will allow all the caffeine to be extracted without a loss of aroma or flavor.
USES FOR COFFEE
1. Coffee Bath
Save the used coffee grounds from the four to five cups of coffee consumed each day. Put the grounds into a cloth bag and place the bag in the bathtub for a “coffee bath.” Tannin in the coffee will make it easier to wash off dirt and loose skin and the caffeine will improve blood circulation.
Soaking in a half-full tub for at least twenty minutes at a lukewarm 100 degrees fahrenheit will allow the body to produce the cancer-inhibiting substance known as P53. Add caffeine’s circulation improving effect, and the result is a double benefit. Bathing in lukewarm coffee grounds allows one to avoid the chill that often follows a hot bath. After a hot bath, the body cools down in about 20 minutes but a lukewarm bath will keep the body warm for three to four hours.
2. Coffee Grounds Massage
Wrap coffee grounds in a cloth bag or stocking and soak the wrapped grounds in a hot wash basin or tub for 10 to 20 minutes to create a coffee liquid. Use this liquid in place of massage oil. Soak a soft cloth in the liquid and work it over the skin. Follow the basic rule of massage: start from the areas furthest from the heart and always massage toward the heart to encourage good blood circulation.
(Translated by Roy Mashima)
(The information provided should not be construed as medical advice or instruction. Consult your physician before attempting any new program. Readers who fail to consult appropriate health authorities assume the risk of developing serious medical conditions.)
