To the already reported benefits of coffee, namely on some neurological (infant hyperactivity, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases), metabolic disorders (diabetes mellitus, gallstones, liver cirrhosis), and gonadal and liver function properties [11] we will have to add a new property, its capability to considerably lower the incidence of type 2 diabetes, or at least that's what it has been announced in a report published by the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee (ISIC). Reports published on the subject suggest that every additional cup of coffee up to 6-8 cups /day (regular or decaffeinated) is associated with a 5-10% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes [10].

Rich in antioxidants and nutrients, coffee has generally been associated with a healthy profile in consumers [11], but pay attention, depending on the quantities consumed, coffee consumption can affect the intake of some minerals (K, Mg, Mn, Cr), niacin and antioxidant substances [12], something to be considered if we are hooked to it. Image: Coffee by stacey.d under Creative Common license (CC BY 2.0).

COFFEA ARABICA

Family: Rubiaceae
Genus: Coffea
Common name: Coffee

Vitis vinifera (Common grape) has been present and part of our diets since the Neolithic period, being harvested since thousands of years ago both, for medicinal and nutritional value [1]. Raisins are dried grapes that may be eaten either raw, as part of after meal snacks or even used in elaborated culinary dishes and menus.  Image: Raisins by bongo vongo under Creative Common license (CC BY 2.0).

Raisins have also the same medicinal and nutritional values of Vitis vinifera (Common grape), while keeping a sweeter flavor and higher contents of fiber. Indeed, raisins have both types of fibre, viscous and insoluble fibers [2]. As you may already know viscous fibers are good because they delay gastric emptying of ingested foods into the small intestine, giving you the sensation of fullness, reducing blood glucose concentration, potentially benefiting insuling sensitivity [2,4] and improving cholesterol levels [2], and insoluble fibers, which are poorly absorbed by our body, characteristic that makes them ideal to improve fecal bulk and ameliorate constipation, playing a very important role to increase our total dietary fiber intake [2].

If that wasn't enough, now, the results of a research presented at the American Diabetes Association’s 72nd Annual Scientific Session suggests eating raisins three times a day may significantly lower postprandial (post-meal) glucose levels when compared to common alternative snacks of equal caloric value [3].

VITIS VINIFERA

Family: Vitaceae
Genus: Vitis
Common name: Common grape vine

Also known as Syzygium jambolanum, Eugenia cumini and Eugenia jambolana [2], black plum is a sweet fruit, rich in potassium, magnesium and phosphorus, that is also known for its many medicinal uses, some of them as important as the anti-cancer and anti-viral benefits that its extracts have exerted in some clinical trials and studies.

Eugenia jambolana seeds were used in Ayurvedic treatments to treat diabetic problems, and that's only the beginning, the medicinal uses of black plum fruit and its seeds go beyond, let's see some of them. Image left: Rose Apple flowers (Syzygium jambos) parque ceret sao paulo Brazil by Mauroguanandi under Creative Commons license (CC BY 2.0).

EUGENIA JAMBOLANA

Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Syzygium
Common name: Jambu, Syzygium cumini, Naval pazham, Neredupandu, Jamblang, Jambolan, Jambula, Black Plum, jamun, Damson Plum, Duhat Plum, Jambolan Plum, Java Plum, Portuguese Plum, Syzygium jambolanum, Eugenia cumini and Eugenia jambolana [2].

Clerodendrum capitatum (Clerodendron), a plant native from Tropical African region that belongs to the Verbenaceae family, locally known as "Gung" in Sudan [1], "Pipe Tree" [2] and Mashayi[4], that grows between 0.2 to 2 meters high, could be the new source of a new family of natural PDE5 inhibitors, the cellular enzymes used as a base for some of the most famous drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, as Sidenafil, used for its vasodilatory and PDE5 inhibitory properties.

In Nigeria, Clerodendrum capitatum (Clerodendron)is used to treat diabetes mellitus, obesity, and hypertension [10], and in Sudan it has been used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction [1,8,9], however and due to its vasodilatory and PDE5 inhibitory effects it may well be the new source of drugs against erectile dysfunction.

CLERODENDRUM CAPITATUM

Family: Verbenaceae
Genus: Clerodendrum
Common name: Gung [1], Pipe tree [2], Mashayi [4].