Is Coffee Harmful to Your Health?

Research Suggests That Your Personal Health Profile Holds the Answer

Mar 4, 2008 Jennifer Copley

Coffee drinking increases the risk for a number of medical problems in susceptible individuals, as well as sabotaging efforts to maintain a healthy body weight.

Drinking coffee is associated with a number of health benefits, including reduced risk for Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, colon cancer and even suicide. However, on the negative side, coffee can cause a number of problems for susceptible individuals, particularly in large doses.

Coffee and Hypoglycemia

Caffeine causes a release of glycogen by the liver, which can generate wild swings in blood sugar, causing attacks of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Hypoglycemia has a variety of unpleasant symptoms, including weakness, nervousness, sweating and heart palpitations.

Coffee and Cholesterol

In some individuals, coffee can raise cholesterol, which increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Coffee and Fertility

Women who are pregnant or attempting to get pregnant should avoid excess caffeine consumption, which may increase the risk for a variety of fertility problems. Research into caffeine's effects on fertility has yielded mixed results, though a recent study found that the risk of miscarriage doubled with the consumption of 2 or more cups of coffee per day, and others have linked high caffeine consumption with reduced fertility. Numerous studies have also found caffeine consumption by pregnant women to be associated with low birth weight. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant women consume no more than 1 to 2 cups of coffee per day.

Coffee and Anxiety Symptoms

Caffeine can overstimulate the central nervous system. This not only causes anxiety in susceptible individuals, but can also exhaust the adrenal glands over time, decreasing resistance to stress and thus increasing vulnerability to disease pathogens and other health hazards (see the Caffeine page for a comparison of caffeine levels in popular foods and beverages).

Coffee and Osteoporosis

Because excess coffee consumption may prevent the full absorption of necessary minerals, it increases the risk of developing osteoporosis. A study of nearly 1,000 postmenopausal women found that long-term consumption of 2 or more cups of caffeinated coffee per day was associated with decreased bone density, regardless of age, alcohol and tobacco consumption, hormone use, and other factors. However, there are indications that these negative effects can be mitigated by adding milk.

Coffee Addiction

People who quit coffee often experience withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, headache, decreased energy and alertness, difficulty concentrating, and even irritability and depression. These symptoms usually begin within 12-24 hours of quitting caffeine and hit a peak within 20-51 hours. Overall, symptoms tend to last anywhere from 2-9 days.

Coffee and Stretch Marks

Dry skin is more prone to developing stretch marks. Coffee consumption increases the risk of stretch marks because it has a dehydrating effect.

Coffee and Weight Gain

Caffeine increases the risk of long-term weight gain by increasing stress hormones and creating a greater risk for hypoglycemia, which stimulates appetite. Although caffeine can assist with short-term weight loss, in the longer term, heavy consumption is more likely to lead to weight gain. Also, studies have indicated that green tea is better for maintaining a healthy weight than coffee.

Should You Drink Coffee?

People with any of the following conditions should avoid coffee altogether:

• Bladder or kidney problems
• Bowel problems such as colitis and diverticulitis
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Diabetes
• Fibrocystic breast disease
• Generalized anxiety and/or panic attacks
• Heart problems
• Hiatal hernia
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Hypoglycemia
• Indigestion
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Liver disease
• Menopause
• Osteoporosis or family history of osteoporosis
• PMS
• Prostate problems
• Skin irritations
• Ulcers
• Urinary tract irritation

Overall, the decision to consume coffee should be based on your personal health profile. If you suffer or are at risk for the conditions that coffee can aggravate, it is better to avoid it. If you are not at risk for these conditions, coffee consumption is unlikely to cause problems, and you may even realize a number of the health benefits associated with coffee.

This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be taken as medical advice. If you have any concerns regarding your health or whether coffee could aggravate any pre-existing medical condition, you should consult your doctor.

References:

• Barrett-Connor, E., & Chang, J.C., & Edelstein, S.L. (1994). "Coffee-Associated Osteoporosis Offset by Daily Milk Consumption." Journal of the American Medical Association, 271(4): 280-283.
• CARE Study Group. (2008). "Maternal Caffeine Intake During Pregnancy and Risk of Fetal Growth Restriction: A Large Prospective Observational Study." BMJ, 337: a2332.
• CTV News. (22 January 2008). "Caffeine Doubles Miscarriage Risk, Study Finds." CTV.ca.
• Ensminger, A.H. (1994). Foods and Nutrition Encyclopedia. CRC Press.
• Grodstein, Goldman, M.B., Ryan, L., & Cramer, D.W. (1993). "Relation of Female Infertility to Consumption of Caffeinated Beverages." American Journal of Epidemiology, 137(12): 1353-1360.
• Kaslow, J., MD. (n.d.). “Health Issues Associated with Coffee and Caffeine.” Drkaslow.com.
• Kerr et al. (1993). "Effect of Caffeine on the Recognition of and Responses to Hypoglycemia in Humans." Annals of Internal Medicine, 119(8): 799-804.
• Kirchheimer, S. (Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD, 2004). “Coffee, the New Health Food?” WebMD.
• Kovacs, B., MS, RD. (Reviewed by Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, 2007). “Caffeine.” MedicineNet.
• Mathur, R., MD. (Reviewed by William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR, 2005). “Hypoglycemia.” MedicineNet.
• ScienceDaily. (15 June 2007). "How Coffee Raises Cholesterol." ScienceDaily.com.
• WebMD in Collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic. (2003; edited by Cynthia Dennison Haines, MD, on 1 April 2005). “Stretch Marks.” MedicineNet.

The copyright of the article Is Coffee Harmful to Your Health? in Nutrition is owned by Jennifer Copley. Permission to republish Is Coffee Harmful to Your Health? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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Feb 24, 2009 5:46 PM

Guest :

Where's the evidence??

Mar 31, 2009 7:24 PM

Guest :

Thanks Jennifer,

I remember trying coffee as a kid and thought is was gross, so I spent most of my life drinking tea with sugar after I turned 35 an employee of mine kept brewing coffee in the office and I tried his version a little weaker, then a became hooked and quite the tea in that year I gained about 20 lbs. I have also had problems with Hypoglycemia this explains why I could drink coffee and take a nap.
I liked your summary points and will research further if needed.
I’m sure each of us is affected differently as for me some of my suspicions tie into your summary findings, I think I will just quite and go back to tea.

Steve V.

Aug 10, 2009 12:01 PM

Guest :

I've always avoided coffee since it's prohibited by our religious health code, but I recently had someone ask me why would coffee be bad for us. The no tobacco or alcohol, sure, but why is coffee prohibited? Your article was very helpful in understanding the why behind an almost 200 year old health code. Faith is great, but it's fun to see science give some of the answers to the whys. ;) I'm so glad that I never started drinking it, since I already take a medicine for my thyroid that makes me prone to osteoperosis, and diabetes is rampant in my family. I was glad to share your article with my friend too since she has some of the health problems noted on your list, and hopefully reading it can be a step toward taking good care of her body.

Oct 23, 2009 10:07 AM

Guest :

uhg! so now i should quit drinking coffee! hmm and all other caffeine. I'm wondering what some metabolism boosting foods are? something to get me going first thing in the morning besides walking the dog ( or being dragged) on an empty tummy. I was drinking lots of water then someone bought a coffee maker and I've been on overload for a few months! ekks.
No wonder I've gained 15 pounds so darn fast.. :( boo-hoo!

Dec 9, 2009 2:51 PM

Guest :

Shows only the negative, seems very biased with mention of things like "for some people". Pain killers, even Tylenol can be deadly to "some people". Drinking too much watter has also killed people or sent them to the hospital with electrolyte imbalance problems. Presents no evidence of the benefits of coffee. I wish I had the time to check her sources. For me the benefits of coffee far out weight the "potential" negatives. I have not experienced any of them myself.

Jan 11, 2010 7:59 AM

Guest :

have negative experience with coffee. Ever since i started taking it i developed a bloated tummy and gained weight!
upon the advice of my doctor i started taking herbal teas mostly, i can say i have lost considerable amount of belly and body fat!
taking it occassionally may not do harm, but getting addicted to it will surely do u bad!

Feb 9, 2010 6:55 AM

Guest :

i used to drink 9 tsp of coffee with 1 sugar. Ironicly i was an exhausted insomniac. That was 5 yrs ago,now i drink 2 tsp of each in a cup.always black.i have about 4 to 7 cups a day. Don't know how to quit,mentally i need it.my first cup i drink before brushing my teeth. Any suggestions on how to stop.

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