To promote the awareness about the beneficial of coffee, the Coffee Board plans to disseminate the information on the newly emerging research findings to Medical Professionals and to other key "influencer segments". Towards this objective, the Board organized a One-day seminar on 'Coffee and Health' on 14th February 2004 in Bangalore.

The seminar, which targeted Medical and Health Professionals, was to facilitate good technical presentations and discussions on the subject. The Board had constituted a Resource Group comprising of medical professionals and representatives of the various sectors of the coffee industry to organize this maiden event.

Sri A. Sengupta, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry inaugurated the seminar by lighting the traditional lamp and also released a book on 'Coffee & Health' specially brought out by Coffee Board for the occasion. Ms. Lakshmi Venkatachalam, Chairperson, Coffee Board welcomed the guests/invitees and delegates for the seminar.

Dr. Ernesto Illy, Chairman, Illycaffe, Italy delivered the keynote address highlighting the latest findings on Coffee and Health. This was followed by a video presentation by Dr. Peter R. Martin, Prof. Of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Tennessee, USA on 'Coffee and Health' which detailed the research findings on human health as influenced by coffee and its constituents. Dr. Astrid Nehlig, Faculte de Medecine, CEDEX, Strasbourg, France and Mr. Florence Rossillion, Executive Secretary, SNICC (French Roasters Association) also spoken.

Dr. Nehlig presented findings of the studies carried out at the May clinic on 'Coffee and Neuro-disorders', which indicated that coffee could reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease, by a factor of two for consumers as compared to non-consumers. Coffee could be neuroprotective vis-à-vis Alzheimer's and possibly strokes. Ms. Florence Rossillion talked about the strategies followed by the French Roasters Association to increase awareness about the beneficial aspects of coffee consumption especially among the medical professionals.

Dr. V.S. Prakash, Associate Professor of Cardiology, M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore while speaking on 'Coffee & Cardiovascular disorders' emphasized that coffee drinking in moderation was not associated with cardiovascular problems. He mentioned that coffee had little effect on the cholestrol level. Dr.K. Govinda Babu, Associate Professor of Oncology, Kidwai Memorial Institute for Oncology, Bangalore in his presentation on 'Coffee & Gastro-oncology' informed that studies have indicated that four cups of coffee a day could reduce the risk of cancer by 24 per cent. He also mentioned about highly active compounds in coffee, which could reduce the risk of colon cancer.

Dr. Vivek Benegal, Asst. Professor of Psychiatry, NIMHANS, Bangalore while speaking on 'Coffee & Mental Health' mentioned that coffee is the most popular drug in the world with a relatively lower addictive potential. He said that studies on the bio-behavioural consequences have indicated that coffee consumption could improve alertness and speed up rapid information processing by 10 per cent.

While narrating about the studies, which indicated that coffee reduced depression and anxiety and also an inverse relationship between coffee drinking and suicide, he suggested for, further independent research in all these areas. Dr. Malathi Ranganath, Nutritionist, Bangalore while speaking on 'Coffee & Nutrition' observed that the antioxidants drunk while consuming coffee could also be derived from a mixed diet of fruits and vegetables. She stressed that coffee drinking in moderation is good for health.

There were also two interesting presentations based on the results of surveys carried bout by Coffee Board, prior to the Seminar. Dr. Nandini Mundkur, Director, Bangalore Children's Hospital presented the findings of survey on Coffee & Children which revealed that most of the school children in the age group of 13-16 years would like to drink coffee out of home. Dr. Y. Raghuramulu, Coffee Scientist (FAO Project) presented the results of survey of medical professionals conducted in Bangalore which indicated that majority of doctors are unaware of the positive benefits of coffee on human health.

The panel discussion with medical professionals, roasters, cup tasters indicated that proper roasting and maintenance of good quality coffee is important for increased consumption of coffee and that coffee consumption of 3-4 cups a day is not bad for health. During the plenary session, the following recommendations have emerged:

1. There is a need to carry out research work on 'Coffee & Health' on Indian Population, as most of the findings currently available are based on westerners.
2. Coffee Board should conduct more surveys in other parts of the country to find out the actual level of awareness on positive effects of coffee.
3. Coffee Board should come out with a regular capsule on Coffee & Health in its in-house publications/websites etc.