Coffee is health food: Myth or fact?
By Stephanie Kelley
My mom was Swedish. I live in Washington state. To say that coffee has been a part of my life is an understatement. Every time a new study on the effects of coffee on your health is released, my ears perk-up a little. While I don’t drink nearly as much coffee as most people who live in this state, I do drink some and my “squad” certainly makes-up for any cups I have missed.
Unfortunately, just like so many other controversial topic, the results of the numerous studies vary depending on who is performing, and at times, who is funding, the study. I don’t claim to be a health care professional or a scientist of any type, but I am a curious coffee drinker and I’d like to give myself an excuse as to why I should drink more coffee. For my health, of course. I’ll share my findings with you and I encourage you to do your own research.
According to the American Heart Association (https://www.heart.org/en/
Here is a list compiled from many sources, including the one above, about the benefits of drinking coffee.1. Can Sharpen Your Mental Focus
Caffeine is a stimulant and it has been shown to help you mentally focus when faced with cognitive tasks. The caffeine in coffee can help keep you alert and can help drive focused attention to whatever topic you are studying.
2. Can Help Prevent Diseases
Coffee has been shown to lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia. It has even been linked to lower risk of mortality from coronary health problems, especially in women. Coffee has also been said to help protect against cirrhosis of the liver. Some studies have also said that coffee helps prevent gout and various types of cancer including liver and uterine.
3, Can Help You Maintain A Healthy Weight
Several studies have shown that caffeine found in coffee and other sources can help you increase fat burning by a whopping 10 per cent! Additionally, coffee can help to boost your metabolic rate to as much as 11 per cent. And it is one of the few natural substances that have actually been proven to help burn fat.
4. Contains Essential Nutrients
Coffee beans contain a lot of healthy nutrients including B Vitamins, potassium and magnesium.
5. Can Help Fight Depression
Depression can be a devastating to the person suffering from it and his or her family. Though coffee isn’t the cure-all for depression, there is some supporting evidence that coffee can help those who suffer from depression.
Harvard University published a study in 2011 that stated that women who drank four or more cups of coffee daily had a 20% lower risk of developing depression.
Other studies have shown lower suicide rates among coffee drinkers too. One study said that there those who drink four or more cups of coffee a day are over fifty percent less likely to commit suicide.
So what are the risks of coffee consumption? You knew there had to be a catch, right? Well, most of the health risks associated with coffee consumption are preventable.
1. Esophageal Cancer
The WHO recently released a statement that drinking beverages at a temperature higher than 149 degrees F may increase your risk of developing esophageal Cancer.
2. Cardiovascular Disease
Caffeine can cause temporary elevation in blood pressure and fast and irregular heart rhythms. Most of the studies that found these links did not take other factors such as smoking into account. These studies were also conducted, mostly, on people who had higher than normal (four + cups) daily coffee consumption.
3. Other Negative Effects
Caffeine can cause anxiety, a jittery feeling and may even impair sleep. Heartburn can also be a negative side-effect. Heart palpitations and frequent urination has also been observed.
How can we maximize the positive effects of coffee and eliminate some of the risks? Be sure not to load your coffee with sugar and avoid artificial sweeteners. Be mindful of your creamer choices. Consider using almond milk instead of cow’s milk. Don’t consume too much caffeine after 2pm because it could interfere with your sleep patterns.
So, what is the bottom line? Well, since coffee was removed from the World Health Organization’s list of possible carcinogen in 2016, it would appear that the most compelling reasons to avoid coffee that have been previously stated are not longer particularly compelling or valid. While physicians have not exactly started to recommend coffee as a way to prevent or cure certain diseases, it would also appear that there are many possible benefits. Of course, every body is different, so it is important to talk with your physician before making any decisions regarding your health or diet or unique health concerns. But if you are a healthy coffee drinker, maybe you do not have to feel quite as guilty as you did before.
