Coffee Ways
Coffee is the second most popular beverage (first is water) on the planet. The world drinks approximately 2.25 billion cups of coffee every day.
WHAT IS IN IT
Coffee is a complex mixture of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids. Coffee is full of compounds that are good for health, such as:
magnesium, potassium, and niacin
caffeine, which in small amounts can reduce fatigue and improve alertness and concentration
potent compounds such as chlorogenic acid and polyphenols, which have antioxidant properties that help prevent cell damage.
BENEFITS
Coffee has multiple health benefits. The most significant health benefits are associated with drinking three to four cups of coffee per day.
There is limited but emerging evidence that coffee lowers the risk of several cancers, including
Colorectal
Liver
Kidney
Ovary
Pancreas
Esophagus
Uterus
Throat
Coffee (regular, not decaff) protects the liver and decreases
Liver inflammation
Liver stiffness and scarring
Liver cancer
Drink at least three cups every day to help prevent liver problems and if you have hepatitis or fatty liver disease, even more — as many as four, five, or even six cups a day — might be helpful, if you can tolerate it. However, coffee isn’t a miracle worker. It won’t completely reverse the liver disease or undo the damage caused by excessive alcohol use. But it can be one delicious and satisfying step toward a happier liver.
The most significant benefit is evident in diabetes and obesity, associated with an intake of one to five cups of coffee per day. It usually doesn’t matter much if the coffee has caffeine or not. Coffee delays the absorption of sugar, helps cells draw sugar from the blood into cells, and lowers the risk of
Gestational Diabetes (Diabetes during pregnancy)
Metabolic Syndrome
Type 2 Diabetes
Coffee increases metabolic rate, and helps blood vessels contract and relax. It may account for coffee’s association with
lower blood pressure
the slower pace of weight gain with age
reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular disease or neurological diseases.
Coffee protects the brain. Moderate coffee intake (1-5cups/d) may reduce the risk of
Parkinson’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease
Coffee can help increase longevity. Moderate intake reduces all-cause mortality.
CAUTIONS
One 8 oz cup of drip/filter coffee contains 95 grams of caffeine. In some people, more than 300 milligrams of caffeine per day may lead to insomnia, nervousness, palpitations, and jitters. Caffeine consumed after noontime is especially likely to interfere with sleep. Too much caffeine may also raise blood pressure. The adverse effects of caffeine go away when you stop consuming it.
If you have an irregular heart rate or other heart problems, excessive coffee might be dangerous.
Coffee might also cause problems if you have lung cancer. In such cases, steer clear until you talk to your doctor for advice.
Moderate your coffee intake. Although there is no proof that drinking six or more cups of coffee is dangerous, the risk of side effects is lower with moderation.
Don’t drink beverages at very high temperatures (i.e., over 149° F). In addition to the potential risk of esophageal cancer, there is a risk of burning yourself.
The most significant risks of coffee come from what is added to it: cream, sugar, or sugary syrup. These add saturated fat and empty calories to the diet, increasing blood sugar and weight. So be careful about what you put into your cup.
The connection between caffeine consumption and migraine headaches remains uncertain. Until we know more, it seems wise to listen to your body: if you notice more headaches when you drink more coffee (or other caffeinated beverages), cut back. Fortunately, this latest research did not conclude that people with migraines should swear off coffee entirely.
BOTTOMLINE
If you are already a coffee drinker, it should be reassuring that after decades of research, several health benefits have been found in coffee. If coffee isn’t already part of your daily routine, don’t worry about starting a love affair with it. There are plenty of other ways to stay healthy and trendy without becoming a java aficionado — or even a plain old coffee drinker.
Posted: 7/11/2020
Updated: 11/15/2021
Dr. Amar Singh, MD, and Dr. Poonam Singh, MD, are board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and American Board of Obesity Medicine. They specialize in preventing, treating, and reversing chronic diseases using an evidence-based holistic approach. They are specifically interested in weight management, hormone rebalancing, and longevity. The American College of Physicians has recognized them as Fellows, FACP, for their excellence and contributions made to both medicine and the broader community. They enjoy teaching, volunteering, and advocating for their patients
