Marijuana has more medical benefits than coffee.

Thank you very much. I can tell you that my body is filled with coffee right now because I have not drunk it for a while. I feel very good and am able to debate with full energy. I must ask, if my opponent smoked a joint, would she be able to sit on her chair and write a response to my argument right now? I think not. Therefore, coffee is more beneficial for debates, and debates can be healthy for the mind. In this round, I will present my arguments in favor of coffee. I will write about the many health benefits of coffee, which, overall, outweigh those of marijuana. -- Content -- • 1. Clarification of studies on coffee • 2. List and descriptions of health benefits of coffee o Anti-bacterial effects o Improving mind/athletic performance o Reduces risk of dementia and Alzheimer's o Works as antioxidant - and is #1 o Reduces depression o Reduces risk of Parkinson's o Reduces risk of diabetes -- Arguments -- • 1. Clarification of studies on coffee Most people nowadays have a very wrong view of coffee. Old opinions based on weak studies (mostly pre-1990's) said that coffee is harmful, especially because it allegedly increases the risk of a heart attack. Even studies from Harvard University used to say that coffee is harmful. However, the researchers from Harvard countered their own studies of coffee and later claimed that coffee is, in fact, beneficial to the health, rather than harmful. Luckily, every single of the old and weak studies on coffee ha been debunked, either by the researchers themselves (as with the case of Harvard researchers), or other well-recognized researchers/scientists. Thousands of studies on coffee nowadays conclude that the health benefits of coffee are far greater than the health risks, which are few when consuming coffee in moderation or when someone intolerant of caffeine consumes it. I will hopefully make it evident that coffee is very healthy and far more healthy than marijuana. • 2. List and descriptions of health benefits of coffee o Anti-bacterial effects It can be hard to believe that coffee serves an anti-bacterial effect, but the fact that it does is undeniable. Studies from e.g. Italy and also Brazil[1] have proved that coffee can fight bacteria in a very successful way. As can be read on the first reference (site), caffeine itself is one of the compounds in coffee that help in fighting bacteria (which is a good fact against my opponent's attack on caffeine). It also mentions that coffee fights salmonella, and also "Legionella pneumophila"[2]. This is very good reason to drink coffee. o Improving mind/athletic performance It is well-known that coffee contains the substance called caffeine, which works as a psychoactive drug, although not the same way as alcohol or marijuana. It boosts the activity of the brain rather than making it sort of blurred or dizzy. With help of caffeine and antioxidants, coffee "activates" the brain functions and boosts one's mental energy. If someone does not get enough sleep but needs to work and enjoy athletic activities, a few cups of coffee once in a while will help a lot. I agree that coffee will not boost the mind for 24 hours, but drinking e.g. cup of coffee every two hours until one is done with daily activities will surely help a lot. o Reduces risk of dementia and Alzheimer's Many studies have shown that consumption of coffee reduces the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's.[3][4][5] Dementia causes problems to the mind, including the memory. One's life may be drastically changed if one suffers from dementia. Alzheimer's has a similar effect. Both diseases are grave and should definitely be treated a lot. However, the good news is that an occasional drink, namely coffee, can help reducing or curing both. We cannot conclude 100% yet, but that is normal with studies. We can safely say that it only gets better the more we find out about coffee. Therefore, this is another good reason for consuming coffee, and another huge health benefit. o Works as antioxidant - and is #1 Coffee also works as an antioxidant, and some researchers call it the number #1 daily antioxidant we have in our daily lives.[6][7] Antioxidants are very beneficial to the health. They can, for instance, help preventing certain forms of cancer, and that is nothing but good. It means that coffee can indeed serve the good effect of cancer-prevention. See source eight please. o Reduces depression Depression can be a very bad thing for our lives. We may feel regret, hopelessness, and other such things. However, studies have shown that coffee can actually reduce the level of depression, or maybe even remove it.[9] It is a simple drink, a tasty one too, and drinking it to reduce depression is easy and a wise choice, too. o Reduces risk of Parkinson's Parkinson's disease is also very bad. The famous boxer Muhammad Ali suffers from it, unfortunately, and we can clearly see how such a disease affects a person, even one as strong as the person I mentioned. However, coffee can help reducing the risk of this disease. Studies have shown a link between the reduction of risk of Parkinson's diseae and consumption of coffee.[10] Due to shortage of time, I ask the readers to read more about this disease and realize at coffee is indeed good to drink to avoid suffering from such a disease.[11] o Reduces risk of diabetes I will, for this round, talk about this to end the round with. Coffee has been proven to reduce risk of diabetes, which is also very positive. See source #12 please. I thank my dear opponent. -- References -- [1]http://www.ncausa.org... [2]http://en.wikipedia.org... [3]http://longevity.about.com... [4]http://www.straightfromthedoc.com... [5]http://www.neatorama.com... [6]http://www.physorg.com... [7]http://www.suite101.com... [8]http://cancer.about.com... [9]http://www.ultimate-coffees-info.com... [10]http://www.suite101.com... [11]http://en.wikipedia.org... [12]http://www.reuters.com...