The Pros and Cons of Coffee

The caffeine in coffee acts as a stimulant which helps millions of people the world over wake up in the morning or stay alert for other activities. It’s not generally seen as a healthy drink so it’s time to set the record straight. Coffee is very, very good for you.

Health Benefits

Coffee is loaded with antioxidants. According to a study done at the University of Scranton:

“Americans get more of their antioxidants from coffee than any other dietary source. Nothing else comes close.”

Check out the following graphic to see just how far ahead coffee is in the antioxidant race.

Moderate coffee consumption also helps to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s, gallstone and gallbladder disease, Parkinson’s, type 2 diabetes, cirrhosis of the liver, some forms of cancer and heart disease. Surprised?

Sleep

Everybody knows that caffiene makes you more alert and so makes it more difficult to get a good night’s sleep. Caffiene stays in the blood for about 6 hours so it’s best avoided after early afternoon if you are susceptible to its effects.

How many cups?

Moderate coffee consumption is considered to be around 3 cups per day. If you drink more you will in fact benefit in some ways but you’ll also lose out in others. If you drink a lot you may also suffer from irritability, anxiety and headaches. As always, moderation is key.

Health Risks

In moderation, coffee presents few health risks but, as always, there are people that may be better off avoiding coffee in certain situations.

Pregnancy and Breast Feeding

During pregnancy or breast feeding, coffee is best avoided or at least consumed in moderation. The caffiene is transported to breast milk within 15 minutes and can lead to irritability in your child. During pregnancy, coffee increases the risk of stillbirth and is best avoided. It can also reduce fertility in women.

Iron Absorption

Coffee decreases absorption of iron in both diet and supplemental forms. It is therefore best avoided or limited by those at risk or suffering from anemia. This includes pregnant women and young children.

What about Decaf?

Decaffeinated coffee provides antioxidants and some other benefits but most studies on the health benefits have been conducted using caffeinated coffee. Specifically, the link between gallstones and gallbladder disease, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s is directly linked to caffeine.

Final Words

Here’s nice video that explains some of the pros and cons in a really concise, easy to understand way.