Is Coffee beneficial? Simply put, yes!

Like with anything, coffee in excess, more particularly, caffeine can cause problems. But two or three cups a day, or even more, have its own health benefits.

BENEFITS OF COFFEE

1. Coffee May Help Protect Against Type 2 Diabetes.

Research has shown that people who drank four to six cups of either caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee each day appeared to have a lower risk of metabolic syndrome, including type 2 diabetes.

2. Coffee Contains Vitamins And Powerful Antioxidants

Coffee contains riboflavin (B-2), niacin (vitamin B-3), as well as magnesium, potassium, antioxidants (polyphenols, chlorogenic acid) and anti-inflammatory, which could be responsible for possible anticancer activity.

3. Coffee May Help Protect Cognitive Conditions

A study concluded that men who drink over four cups of coffee per day might have a fivefold lower risk of Parkinson’s than those who do not, and are less likely to experience depression and cognitive conditions such as Alzheimer’s.

4. Coffee And Mood

A moderate amount of caffeine can wake you up, boost your mood, energy, alertness, productivity, concentration and even athletic performance. On average, it takes four to six hours to metabolize half the caffeine.

5. Coffee And Heart Health 

People who drank moderate amounts of coffee each day had an 11% lower risk of heart failure than those who did not. Moderate consumption of caffeine may have a small benefit for cardiovascular health, including blood pressure and it may protect against heart failure. 

6. Coffee And Liver Disease

Coffee drinking is associated with lower levels of enzymes that indicate liver damage and inflammation. Findings suggest some protection against liver cancer.

However, coffee isn’t for everyone…

A. There Are Concerns About Overconsumption

This is especially true during pregnancy because the safety of caffeine during gestation is unclear.  Caffeine is also a psychoactive drug, it may constrict blood vessels and increase blood pressure. Higher doses can lead to caffeine intoxication, with its shakiness, nervousness, and irregular heartbeat. Caffeine is also linked to poor quality of that shut eye.

B) Coffee Can Be Addictive

Evidence suggests there can be a dependence on the drink, and tolerance builds over time. Withdrawal symptoms may include a headache, fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and depressed mood. 

C) Boiled Coffee And Cholesterol Issues. 

The oil in boiled coffee has diterpenes, which have shown to raise LDL, the bad cholesterol, and slightly lower HDL, which is the good kind. If you filter the coffee, then it’s no issue at all. This only applies to Turkish coffee, coffee brewed and sitting in a French press, and the boiled coffee. Note to self: If you’re concerned with bad cholesterol, stick to filtered coffee or espresso.

VEREDICT!

Should you start pounding down more coffee?

Depends on your goals in life.

If you are enjoying the drink in moderation, doctors’ recommendation is to continue to savor those sips. 

For those patients with a sensitivity to the beverage, doctors agree to to tread lightly. After all ‘robbing people of their coffee seems cruel’, says gastroenterologist, Dr. Sophie Balzora.