The Costco Connection

FOR YOUR TABLE

THECOSTCOCONNECTION

A variety of whole-bean and ground coffee is available at your local Costco warehouse and online at Costco.com.

HOW DO YOU celebrate a beverage that is consumed by more than half the population of the United States each day? You give it its own special month, National Coffee Month, in August.

According to studies, coffee offers benefits beyond that punch of caffeine you need in the morning. It’s not the caffeine in your morning cup that’s really good for you; it’s the antioxidants.

Studies from the Vanderbilt Institute for Coffee Studies ( vanderbilt.edu/ics) have shown that folks who drink coffee regularly may reduce the risks of Parkinson’s disease by ;; percent, colon cancer by ;; percent and cirrhosis of the liver by ;; percent, and moderate consumption of coffee (two to four cups a day) may lower the risks of developing Type ; diabetes and liver cancer.

According to the Mayo Clinic (mayo clinic.org), up to ;;; milligrams of caffeine a day appears to be safe for healthy adults; that’s roughly the amount in about four cups of coffee. Drinking more than four cups of coffee per day can result in insomnia, nervousness, irritability, upset stomach, fast heartbeat and other symptoms.

To get the full health benefits of drinking coffee, try to avoid the artificial sweeteners, heavy cream, milk and sugar people add to their beverage. Coffee frappés and lattes taste good but are loaded with calories. Try using honey or stevia for sweetening, skip the whipped cream and use coconut, skim, almond, cashew or soy milk.

However you like yours, celebrate National Coffee Month with a cup of joe.

—Bill Urlevich

A special month for coffee

C H RIS A R US N AK

• Foil for prep, cooking and storage • Lining bakeware and the grill with foil reduces cleanup • Barrier protection against moisture, light, odor, oxygen, heat and grease