Coffee always seems to be in the news. One day the benefits of drinking coffee will be touted. A few days later, coffee and caffeine are found to be harmful to health.
Many people today seem to view coffee as a guilty pleasure, but what's the real story behind this popular beverage?
Research has shown that there is some truth to both sides of the argument. Coffee has some serious health benefits, but it also has some downsides that make it not suitable for everyone.
However, studies show that the benefits may be even greater than previously thought, and the risks are primarily associated with itCrowdÖQualitycoffee you drink
Here's a look at some popular (but untrue) myths about coffee and what research has to say about its potential to improve health.
5 myths about coffee that aren't true
Myth #1 - Coffee is bad for your heart
This myth is mainly based on the fact that caffeine increases blood pressure. High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease, which is why some have argued that drinking coffee can lead to heart problems later.
Indeed, caffeine increases blood pressure, but only by a very small amount: 3-4 mm/Hg. This effect also tends todisappears completelyfor longtime coffee drinkers.
There is a theoretical possibility that caffeine could be a problem for people who already have high blood pressure. However,studieshave shown no link between coffee consumption and an increased risk of heart problems.
On the contrary, there is evidence of a lower risk for bothHeart attackjattackfor coffee drinkers.
Myth #2 - Coffee has no nutritional value
Coffee consumption is generally perceived as a matter of caffeine with no nutritional benefits.
While you can't get a multivitamin in a cup, coffee does contain several important micronutrients and some beneficial botanicals.
Typically a cup of coffeecontainsRiboflavin/Vitamin B-2 (11% RDI), Pantothenic Acid/Vitamin B-5 (6% RDI), Potassium (3% RDI), Manganese (3% RDI), Magnesium (2% RDI), and Niacin/B Vitamin -3 (2%IDR).
Perhaps most importantly, coffee is also aexcellent source of antioxidants. These powerful compounds protect your body from oxidative stress and help ward off many age-related diseases.
studiesThey even show that coffee is often the main source of antioxidants in the standard western diet.
Of course, you get many more health benefits when you combine coffee with othersAntioxidant rich foods.
Myth #3: Coffee increases cancer risk
There is a common misconception that coffee can contribute to cancer, when in fact there is no basis.
In fact, the opposite is true: there are benefits to drinking coffeecamouflagedyour cancer risk.
A look at the American Institute for Cancer Research website will show you that coffee is the talk of the town.your listof foods against cancer. This is largely due to the antioxidant content in coffee, which protects your body at the cellular level.
Studies also show that regular coffee drinkers in particular have a lower risk of bothLeberjcolorectalCancer This is the third or fourth leading cause of death from cancer worldwide.
Myth #4 - Coffee increases cholesterol
This particular myth actually has some basis. Coffee doesn't contain cholesterol, but the beans do contain what are called compoundsthe castle of the Kahweolthat canpossiblystimulate the production of LDL (bad) cholesterol.
However, if you have normal cholesterol levels, the intake of these compounds is so low that they do not produce any noticeable changes.
If you have high cholesterol, simply remove the coffee through a paper filter to remove most of the cafestol and kahweol. This is because they are in the oily part of the coffee, which gets trapped in the filters.
But if you're not worried about cholesterol, it might be better not to filter your coffee, as Cafestol and Kahweol doshownsome anticancer effects.
Myth #5: Drinking coffee is unhealthy/bad for you
That's the big umbrella myth that always seems to surround coffee. It stems mainly from a general perception that caffeine is bad for health and an exaggeration of the harms of coffee.
If you're still not convinced of the significant benefits of drinking coffee, read on for more research-based insights.
6 additional benefits of drinking coffee
It can help you live longer
A rather surprising benefit of coffee is that it's associated with a lower risk of dying from any cause.
Somelarge studioswith more than 100,000 people concluded that regular coffee drinking was associated with a "modest" reduced risk of all-cause mortality. This "modest" reduction reached 20% for men and 26% for women.
This is most likely due, at least in part, to the antioxidant content of coffee. Combine it with other antioxidants andAntiaging FoodsYour health will even improve as you age.
Can prevent diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that coffee appears to be particularly effective against. Severalstudieshave documented that coffee drinkers are consistently at a lower risk of developing diabetes.
Drinking 3 to 6 cups (or more) of coffee a day seems to have the greatest effect.research estimatesThey range from a 23 to 50% reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes with this amount of coffee consumption.
That doesn't mean moderate coffee drinkers are out of luck. Oneresearch paperMatch the benefits of coffee consumption to a 7% reduced risk of developing diabetes, per daily cup.
Protection of brain health
One intriguing coffee health benefit is its potential ability to protect cognitive function. Research shows a link between coffee consumption and a lower risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases.
More precisely, theCaffeinein coffee appears to improve brain health.
A studyinvestigated the influence of caffeine consumption on the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
The results showed that "caffeine intake was associated with a significantly lower risk of AD (Alzheimer's disease)".
Othersresearch paperconcluded that caffeine also has potential protective properties against dementia.
Even moreInvestigationhas documented an association between coffee and caffeine consumption and a reduced risk of Parkinson's disease, another devastating neurodegenerative disease.
Previous studies suggest that decaffeinated coffee does notNOthey have the same protective effects on your brain, so don't be afraid to reach for the caffeinated variety.
Supports liver health
Another benefit of coffee consumption is liver health. Your liver is a very important organ, especially for the natural detoxification process that takes place continuously in your body.
Not only can coffee potentially reduce the risk of liver cancer (as mentioned earlier), but it can also protect the overall health and function of the liver.
studiespoint out that coffee consumption can reduce the risk of various types of liver problems. These include cirrhosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and hepatic fibrosis.
Investigationit also shows that coffee drinkers are more likely to have healthy levels of liver enzymes.
So far, it appears that these liver-protecting properties come from the coffee itself, not the caffeine content. This means that both caffeinated and decaffeinated blends should have similar benefits.
Increases energy and concentration.
One of the most well-known benefits of caffeine is that it can increase your energy and focus. Drink a cup of caffeinated coffeecan doYou'll feel less tired, more alert, and better able to complete daily tasks.
Caffeine has toobeen shownto boost cognitive function and mood in the short term. It helps you perform better on mental tasks and makes you feel better until the effects wear off.
An added bonus is that caffeine also increases your physical well-being. Stimulates your nervous system and increases adrenaline, whatit can be betterBoth physical performance and endurance.
Increases Metabolism and Fat Burning (and Potential Weight Loss Aid)
Drinking coffee is known to have metabolic benefits due to its caffeine content.
studiesshow that regular doses of 100mg of caffeine (equivalent to 1-2 cups of coffee) can increase metabolic rate by 8-11%. Caffeine can also be targetedincrease fat burningbetween 10 and 29%.
The main problem with using coffee for weight loss is that many people drink it loaded with sugar, cream, and other additives. However, if you combine it with a healthy diet andA practice, coffee can boost your metabolism.
Possible disadvantages of drinking coffee
Despite all of the health benefits of coffee, there are some potential downsides. Most of them are preventable once you know them, but some can be problematic for certain people.
May cause anxiety, nervousness and tension in the nervous system
Coffee (usually the caffeinated variety)it is knownto increase the risk of anxiety, particularly in those already struggling with panic disorder or social anxiety. Reducing or switching to decaffeinated coffee may help if you find this is a problem.
Caffeine can also cause what's commonly known as "tremors," which can make you feel shaky and your heart race. This is almost always connectedexaggeratedCaffeine consumption, although some people who are very sensitive to caffeine experience caffeine in even lower amounts.
Another "con" is that if you use coffee/caffeine as a rest substitute, you will eventually lead to nervous system "burnout."
Caffeine works by stimulating the nervous system. If you don't allow your nervous system to recover with rest and a good supply of nutrients, you can end up feeling like you're constantly in "crash" mode.
Again, this is largely due to overconsumption and unhealthy consumption of caffeine, not a risk from coffee in general.
May contribute to insomnia
Drinking coffee can have energy benefits, but if you drink it late in the day,have trouble sleeping.
For most people, the curfew time is between 3pm and 4pm. M. After that, the caffeine may not be fully processed by bedtime. Even if you can fall asleep, sleep quality will likely suffer.
Of course, this problem is easily remedied by switching to decaffeinated coffee, or avoiding coffee altogether from early to mid-afternoon.
Caffeine is easily addictive
Caffeine is not as addictive as narcotics, but it isCaused"slight physical dependence". This only happens if you drink caffeinated coffee regularly.
Since it is not a true addiction, the withdrawal symptoms are not severe or harmful. However, you'll likely still experience headaches, fatigue, and irritability if you suddenly quit the coffee habit.
May cause indigestion
Indigestion is one of the most common "side effects" of coffee drinkers. Most coffee tends to be very acidic, which can put a strain on the digestive system. Heartburn, stomach cramps, and nausea can all come from just one cup. caffeineMayonnaisethey also aggravate gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Can be full of toxins
Unfortunately, the benefits of coffee consumption are often offset by toxins. Like any other crop, coffee trees are often sprayedpesticidesand other chemicals. These toxins can get into the beans and build up in your freshly brewed coffee.
Mycotoxins are a type of mold toxin that commonly contaminate coffee. They grow in the beans and can trigger inflammation in your body and potentially cause kidney problems. Unfortunately, many commercial coffee blendscontain high valuesof mycotoxins.
Get the most benefits from coffee consumption
As you can see, coffee packs have some great benefits, with a few caveats. Here's a quick look at how you can make coffee work for your health:
- enjoy in moderation– The recommended upper limit of caffeine intake is around 500 mg per day for adults (200 mg for pregnant women). This corresponds to about 5 cups of coffee (homemade). However, some health experts recommend sticking to 1-2 cups per day for maximum benefits and minimal negative effects.
- stay healthy- Unfortunately, sugary, artificially flavored coffee drinks are the norm. Keep your cup healthy by using plant-based milk, natural sweetener, or drinking it black.
- drink clean– Take care of your body by drinking high-quality organic coffee whenever possible. This is the best way to avoid toxins and chemicals that can harm your health. Single-origin coffee guarantees that all beans come from the same farm (important for quality). Shade-grown is another label to watch out for, as this growing method drastically reduces the need for pesticides.