20 health benefits of coffee (and how to get the maximum benefits of it)
By Christopher Ramos
We all love our coffee and would not even imagine spending a day without that hot cup that is sometimes the only reason we get out of bed in the morning or the reason we get motivated to leave the house and go be productive. There have been some studies that show the benefits of coffee for our health but do we ever think about the bad effects our favourite drink has on us? Check out the following five reasons why coffee is bad for your health!
It Increases Your Stress Hormones!
Coffee contains caffeine which increases your stress hormones which have the ability to increase your insulin. Getting used to caffeine decreases your insulin sensitivity, making it difficult for your cells to respond correctly to blood sugar. So, if you ever feel lousy after your cup of coffee, now you know why!
Watch out for the amounts you consume as well! Switch your coffee for tea or decaf coffee as it contains a lot less caffeine and is so much better for you and you will quickly see the difference in the way you feel.
All That Sugar!
Even though most of us will argue that they consume pure coffee, many forget what actually goes in your cup when you order at a coffee shop. Sugar, whipped cream, syrups, etc. have so much sugar in them and we often forget that they’re there even though we can taste the sweetness of the drink. In some instances, the cups of coffee you purchase from a shop have twice the recommended daily amount of sugar you need, so be very careful what you order and what is in your drink! If you need to feel refreshed try water with lemon or just flavoured water, but no sugar!
Coffee Can Cause Tooth Decay and Staining!
It is a known fact that coffee stains! Not only your favourite shirt but your teeth as well! It takes only one cup of coffee to begin the staining, and if you put syrups or sugar in your coffee as well it is not good for your teeth at all! If this is not a legit reason to quit coffee… Try slowly reducing your intake or find a healthier drink to switch it for.
It Increases Your Anxiety Levels!
Coffee is known to make your heart race faster and you’ve definitely felt that before, right? Caffeine increases the amount of adrenaline in your body and if you are somebody who suffers from anxiety, quitting coffee is definitely what you should do! Tip: if you can’t quit coffee, reduce the amount of coffee you put in.
If you usually have your coffee outside, try making it at home and just put less espresso in and more milk. This way the amount you consume is less but you still get a taste of it, and the caffeine intake is limited.
Quitting Coffee Will Lower Your Blood Pressure
Caffeine can cause quite a dramatic increase in your blood pressure for a short amount of time. Stopping coffee on time can stop you from being at risk of any related diseases and it can be very beneficial for your health. Switching to decaf can be a good way to stop the amount of caffeine you usually consume! Fact: decaf coffee actually has none of the side effects that normal coffee does so definitely go for it if you can’t quit entirely!
Are you convinced that coffee is bad for your health? Leave a comment below which reason changed your mind and if quitting coffee is something you would do!
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By American Heart Association News
Just a couple of calories a cup, good old black coffee packs quite a punch. It wakes you up, boosts your metabolic rate and decreases the risk of some diseases.
Not that habitual coffee drinkers need convincing, but evidence of its health benefits stacks up quickly:
- It gives you energy and may help you lose weight and sharpen your mental focus, thanks to the magic of caffeine. Studies have shown that caffeine may improve your mood, help your brain work better and improve performance during exercise.
- A regular java habit is associated with a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, in one study, caffeine was linked to a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Coffee is an excellent source of antioxidants, which may help protect cells from damage.
- Higher consumption of coffee – caffeinated and decaf alike – was associated with a lower risk of total mortality, including deaths attributed to heart disease, nervous system diseases and suicide.
More specifically, habitual coffee drinking has been linked to a lower risk of coronary heart disease in women.
For health-conscious coffee lovers then, the most important question isn’t, “Is it good for you?” but rather, “How do you take it?”
If you dress your coffee up too much with cream and sugar, you risk negating the health benefits.
“We know that sugar has adverse effects,” said Penny Kris-Etherton, a nutrition professor at Penn State University. “Even if you add sugar and don’t exceed your calorie needs, you’re still negating some of the benefits because sugar is a negative food ingredient.”
That warning goes double for even fancier coffee drinks. The federal dietary guidelines say three to five cups of coffee per day can be part of a healthy diet, but that only refers to plain black coffee.
“They’re not talking about these large Frappuccinos that have at least 800 calories a beverage,” Kris-Etherton said. “Very quickly, calories can add up, and weight gain will create negative effects on cardiac risk.”
Despite its benefits, caffeine also can be dangerous if consumed in excess.
“We all know how important sleep is,” Kris-Etherton said. “You don’t want to disrupt normal sleep habits and good sleep because you’ve had too much caffeine, so if you want to include coffee in your diet, be sure to think about timing.”
Anyone who’s had one cup too many knows that heart-fluttering feeling that comes next; for some people, those jitters may be a warning sign.
“Some people are slow metabolizers of caffeine,” Kris-Etherton said. “It’s a genetic predisposition. Some people can experience jitters, palpitation, insomnia – sort of like those energy drinks that give you a big boost.”
Caffeine also is addictive, and cutting back too quickly can cause withdrawal symptoms, especially terribly harsh headaches.
“Those migraines are pretty bad,” she said. “If you are drinking a lot and then go cold turkey, the effects will be greater than if you have less caffeine and taper off.”
It’s worth noting that kids shouldn’t drink coffee, Kris-Etherton said. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that, in general, kids avoid caffeine-containing beverages.
Kris-Etherton also cautioned that brewing methods can affect cardiovascular risk. For example, she said, paper filters remove a compound called cafestol that increases LDL cholesterol (the harmful type), so unfiltered coffee could pose a higher health risk.
“Most people drink filtered coffee,” she said. “But you know, French presses are so popular too, and that may not be good for you, especially if you drink a lot of coffee.”
Still, Kris-Etherton said, research shows that the health benefits of coffee – even decaf – seem to outweigh the risks: “Just pay attention to how you’re feeling after consuming coffee. Get in sync with how your body’s feeling.”
If you have questions or comments about this story, please email [email protected]
This story is part of Eat It or Leave It?, a series that provides a closer look at the pros and cons associated with certain foods and drinks – and cooking options if you decide to eat them.
