It's not uncommon to find a Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts on any street corner in the world, and for good reason— coffee is the second most popular drink after water as well as the second most traded commodity in the world after oil. And if you’ve ever had to go a day without your daily cup of Joe, you understand the caffeine craze that has been sweeping the globe for centuries. But for a drink that has become a staple in both our diets and daily routines, the health aspect of coffee is something that is rarely explored. Here are the facts so you can make a more educated guess the next time you reach for that triple nonfat venti mocha.
Coffee gets a bad rep in the health department… but the truth is that in moderation, the regular consumption of coffee can provide a plethora of benefits. It contains an abundance of antioxidants that help to neutralize free radicals, delay aging, and provide an anti-inflammatory effect. The caffeine in coffee has also been proven beneficial. High caffeine levels in the blood serve to protect the brain from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, as well as stimulates the parts of the brain affected by Parkinson’s. Studies also show that the hot beverage has the ability to lower rates of cancer: it reduces the risk of prostate cancer in men by 20%, endometrial cancer in women by 25%, as well as colon cancer and basal cell carcinoma (the most common type of skin cancer) in both sexes.
If you've ever been cranky and sleep-deprived, you know that coffee can bring a rush of energy and a sharper focus because it stimulates the central nervous system. And, it increases the production of “feel-good” neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline which all help to boost your mood and keep depression and suicidal thoughts at bay. Research indicates that two cups of coffee a day prevents the risk of suicide by nearly half.
Additionally, coffee helps to shed the pounds and keep them off by boosting physical performance by 11-12%, helping fat cells to break down body fat, and containing essential vitamins like magnesium and potassium which work to reduce sugary cravings and regulate blood sugar levels. Since it also impacts glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, it is said to lower the risk of Type II Diabetes as well. And finally, reasonable consumption of coffee has been associated with a lower risk of stroke, protection from heart failure and coronary disease for as many as 10 years, as well as a 25% lower chance of premature death compared to their non- coffee drinking counterparts.
But not all of the bad buzz about coffee is undeserved. Just like a drug, the caffeine in coffee can be addicting. It is said that the regular consumption of 100mg of caffeine is enough to cause a physical dependence, and since the average cup of coffee contains about 95mg, it strikes a little too close to home.
Coffee intake can also lead to some negative symptoms such as insomnia and the jitters… although reaching for decaf may seem like a good solution, the decaffeination process may worry those keeping an eye on their health because it uses chemicals to strip the caffeine from the bean. Java lovers beware… you may notice that the acidity of coffee causes heartburn, indigestion, GERD, imbalances in the gut’s natural bacteria, and staining of your teeth. Coffee is also a diuretic that increases urine output, which may lead to an excretion of necessary vitamins and minerals in the body or electrolyte imbalances. And finally, coffee interferes with drug metabolism and liver detoxification which may make it harder for the body to absorb certain medicines and regulate liver detoxification.
Given the pros and cons, you can now assess whether the benefits outweigh the risks. Keep this article in mind the next time you take a sip of your morning cup of coffee!