With over 400 million cups consumed daily, coffee is clearly one of the most popular
drinks in the world. But for generations, coffee has held a strange reputation – half
villain, half lifeline. I’m sure you’ve heard plenty of warnings: ‘coffee makes you
anxious’, ‘it’ll stunt your growth!’, ‘it’s bad for your heart’. Somewhere along the line,
this humble drink has become associated with ‘things’ such as cigarettes – an
addictive but socially acceptable guilty pleasure that could wreck your health.
If these rumours have stressed you out, relax, good news is brewing! There have
been an impressive wave of studies emerging recently proving that coffee isn’t just
not harmful for us, it may actually be one of the healthiest habits you can pour into
your mug.
Of course, much of the misinformation comes from stubborn myths. One of the
classics is that coffee dehydrates you. While it’s true that caffeine is mildly diuretic,
multiple studies have proven that the fluid in your cups more than compensates for
this. So, your morning coffee does still count toward your daily hydration!
Another myth you’ve probably heard is that it causes heart disease. Actually, this
belief was a result of outdated studies that made one big mistake. They failed to
consider that heavy coffee drinkers in these studies were also heavy smokers.
Eventually, researchers separated the two habits, and coffee has emerged looking
far more innocent.
On the other hand, coffee’s benefits seem to be surprisingly robust.
The drink is full of antioxidants – often beating fruit and veg as the top source in
people’s diets. Antioxidants in coffee beans such as flavonoids and phenolic acids
protect against chronic conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and many
cancers. A BMJ research report found that coffee consumption was associated with
a lower risk of prostate and endometrial cancers, as well as melanoma and
leukaemia. Studies have also linked coffee with reduced risk of colon, rectal and
breast cancer.
An obvious benefit of coffee is that it boosts energy levels. Caffeine is a central
nervous system stimulant that can increase energy and fight fatigue. It blocks the
receptors of adenosine, a neurotransmitter, which increases the levels of other
neurotransmitters in your brain such as dopamine. So, a morning cup (or two) might
just be the perfect blend to help get you through the day.
Recent studies have also linked coffee to longevity, finding that coffee drinkers are
less likely to die from some of the leading causes of death in women. These include
coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.
Both decaf and regular coffee have been found to have a protective effect on your
liver. Coffee drinkers are more likely to maintain a healthy range of liver enzyme
levels than non-coffee drinkers.
But – according to the US Food and Drug Administration, to prevent experiencing
adverse effects, most people should consume around 400 mg of caffeine a day –
about two to three cups of coffee. The FDA notes that you could experience side
effects such as jitters, nausea or increased heart rate or blood pressure if you go
over the recommended amount or are sensitive to caffeine. So, while the incredible
benefits of coffee are obvious, even the best brew should be enjoyed in moderation.
In the end, it seems coffee isn’t the ‘devil’s juice’ after all. Sip it wisely, enjoy it fully,
and remember all the health benefits you are gaining! Hopefully now you can drink
coffee with a little more confidence and a lot less guilt.