The Coffee Brief: Weekly News Roundup
Week of January 13, 2025
This week’s Coffee Roundup includes a lot of …coffee news. In not so surprising news, coffee was linked to longer life and better heart health.
This report following on the heels of another… coffee is good for you.
And in another, diving into the benefits of decaf coffee, which the article notes “Through his research, Hoffman discovered that decaf coffee retains all the health perks of its caffeinated counterpart, minus the potential drawbacks associated with caffeine… He found they were rich in healthy acids, offering benefits for your gut”.
He elaborates: “Chlorogenic acids, known for improving gut health, are found in a variety of nutritious foods like blueberries, apples, sunflower seeds, and tomatoes. However, coffee stands out as one of the richest sources, making it an easy and effective way to boost your diet.”
"That makes decaf to me particularly interesting, it tastes great when it's done right, it's got loads of polyphenols so it's good for you, but there's no caffeine which is also potentially useful if I suffer sensitivity to it; if it delays the onset of my sleep or if it lowers the quality of my sleep, or if it exacerbates things like anxiety.”
Editorial note: I do not need science to tell me it is good for me. Somethings in life we know from experience. However, for some these studies will be further affirmation for them, as there does seem to be a continual societal question over whether or not coffee is healthy. I personally think it’s obvious.
In recent weeks the incoming Trump administration has expressed interest in Greenland, even floating the idea that the US could take over or purchase the independent nation. Greenland, occupied by Greenlandic people, which is without any controversy one of the best names for a people, is currently under rule by Denmark. Greenland is roughly three times the size of Texas. Because of it’s unique arctic positioning the US has a strong geopolitical interest in the area.
China is planning to invest $50 billion in the oil and mineral rich country of Congo. This amid a heavy investment in the continent over the last 20 years, greatly outpacing US investments which have seen significant decline.
Oh January 15, Red Dye #3, a common coloring ingredient used in foods and pharmaceuticals, including candies, sodas, and Tylenol, which is made from petroleum, was banned from use in food and drugs in the US. This has long been banned in Europe and in US cosmetics. Backers of this ban hope that the FDA will soon also ban other dyes including include Red Dye No. 40, Yellow Dye No. 5, Yellow Dye No. 6, Blue Dye No. 1, Blue Dye No. 2, and Green Dye No. 3, all of which have been linked to negative health effects.
Micheal Shellenberger has reported extensively this week on the mismanagement and poor planning that has lead to the catastrophic fires in Los Angeles. This reporting is interesting because political figures in the area have repeated claimed there was nothing that could be done about the fires. Shellenberger has offered thorough rebukes of such statements over the course of the last week. Gavin Newsom has launched a website to fight what he calls “misinformation” from critics.
The EPA announced that chemicals found in sewage sludge fertilizers that is spread on cropland can cause cancer due to the presence of PFAS, or “forever chemicals.” “Organic farms aren’t allowed to use the sludge, so the findings could reassure consumers who purchase organic grass-fed beef…”
Researchers discovered nearly 6,000 year old white bark pines (known to live upwards of 1000 years!) under a retreating ice formation in Wyoming.
Freezing temperatures setting upon North Carolina which still has more than 12k homeless as the result of last years Hurricane Helene. FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program is set to end on January 25.
French people now drink more beer than wine at home. France has seen a rapid uptick in craft beer sales while wine sales for home consumption have dropped.
Meanwhile in the US, more microbreweries closed than opened in 2024.
Via Racket News: Ryan Merkley, who directed the Aspen Institute’s Commission on Information Disorder and also appeared in the Twitter Files as Wikimedia’s liaison to “Industry Meetings” with federal law enforcement, was elevated to the job of Chief Executive Officer by NPR president/Titania McGrath clone Katherine Maher.
Getty Images purchased Shutterstock in a move that will create a $3.7 billion visual company, with the goal of competing in an ai driven marketplace.
Director, screenwriter, author, painter, musician, producer, actor, and Supreme Creative David Lynch died at the age of 78 this week. Born in Missoula, Montana, David Lynch is famous for his outside-the-box productions that gained both mass popularity and a cult following. His works include the original Dune, which many view as the origination for many of George Lucas’ Star Wars ideas, Erasure Head, Elephant Man, Twin Peaks, Blue Velvet, Lost Highway, and several other master pieces.
Thank you for this—and for Black Coffee