Cup-Of-Joe.net

The caffeine content found in coffee is considered to be a mild stimulant and the exact reason that most people consume their coffee in the morning rather than after dinner or before going to bed. Others consume decaffeinated coffee because they wish to avoid being stimulated or they believe the caffeine has some negative health effects.  However, long-term research studies have shown that consuming coffee in moderation is safe and may even offer some health benefits.

Benefits of Drink Coffee

The September 2009  issue of Harvard Women’s Health Watch reported that the risk for type 2 diabetes was lower among the regular coffee drinkers tested. Other studies have shown that coffee may reduce the risk of developing gallstones, reduces the possible development of colon cancer and reduces the risk of liver damage in people at high risk for liver disease.  Of course, coffee is widely known to improve cognitive function and physical endurance.  Coffee has also shown benefits in reducing the risk of Parkinson’s disease by increasing the production of dopamine, a brain chemical crucial to pleasure and motivation. Early studies using animal models suggest caffeine wards off Parkinson’s by protecting certain brain cells.  The B-vitamin niacin has also been found in some types of coffee.

Negative Health Effects of Coffee

Coffee has been proven to be relatively safe with no adverse health effects on the majority of the population. However, there are rare cases of people who should avoid caffeine because of its stimulating effects.  In most cases, these people already know they should avoid coffee or other caffeinated beverages because they may have a irregular heartbeat or other heart conditions.  Also, pregnant women should most definately avoid coffee because the caffeine will be passed through the placenta to an unborn fetus.  It is believed that high levels of caffeine (300 mg per day) during pregnancy may cause an increased risk for miscarriage and low birth weight.

Doctors also generally advise their patients to eliminate coffee consumption under the following conditions:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD,also known as heartburn)
• People who suffering from insomnia or other sleep disorders
• People who have digestive or stomach disorders
• Women who suffer from PMS (coffee may have a negative effect on a pre-menstrual woman)
• Women with a known calcium deficiency
• People with high LDL-cholesterol. (it is believed that coffee consumption may raise cholesterol in certain persons)
• People with extremely high blood pressure
• People who smoke excessively

All in all, though, most people believe that drinking coffee in moderation has more benefits than risks and studies on both sides of the issue continue to be performed.

Health Matters: Dr. Art Hister talks about the effects of coffee