The Health Benefits of Coffee
Reduces Risk for Diabetes, Cancer, Parkinson’s Disease and Suicide
Is coffee really good for you? Evidence suggests that it offers a number of health benefits, provided you drink at least 2 cups per day.
Coffee and Health
Research indicates that coffee provides protective effects for the following conditions:
- Asthma – Drinking coffee can help to control asthma, and in some cases can even be used to treat an asthma attack when conventional medication is not available.
- Colon cancer – 2 or more cups of coffee per day can reduce the risk of colon cancer by 25%.
- Gallstones – The likelihood of developing gallstones is decreased nearly 50% by drinking at least 2 cups of coffee per day.
- Headache – Coffee cures or diminishes some types of headaches.
- Liver cirrhosis – The risk for this condition is reduced by 80% with the ingestion of 2 or more cups of coffee each day.
- Parkinson’s disease – 6 studies have found that regular (caffeinated) coffee drinkers reduce their risk of developing Parkinson’s disease by as much as 80%.
- Tooth decay – A compound in coffee called Trigonelline has anti-adhesive and antibacterial properties, which helps prevent cavities.
- Type 2 Diabetes – A Harvard longitudinal study of 126,000 people found that 1 to 3 cups of caffeinated coffee per day can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by less than 10%, while 6 or more cups per day reduces women’s risk by 30% and men’s by 54%. Drinking decaffeinated coffee reduces risk for diabetes by approximately half that achieved with caffeinated coffee.
Some of coffee’s health benefits accrue as a result of its caffeine content, whereas others are generated by its antioxidants. The reduced risk for Parkinson’s disease and coffee’s efficacy in treating asthma and headaches are linked to caffeine.
Coffee and Athletic Performance
There is evidence that caffeine can benefit athletic performance by increasing endurance in the short term, so much so that the Olympic Games Committee had designated it a controlled substance until recently.
Research Regarding Coffee’s Effects on Children
The caffeine in coffee can improve concentration by increasing alertness. However, evidence suggests that it does not necessarily improve children’s academic performance as some have claimed. Higher test scores among coffee-drinking children are more likely the result of the children being more awake than enhanced cognitive abilities.
Interestingly, a Brazilian study suggests that drinking small amounts of coffee with milk lowers the risk of depression among children. However, the National Institute of Mental Health found that children (aged 8-13) who had a high caffeine intake were more restless than those who did not, and approximately 33% actually met the criteria for ADHD.
Coffee and Suicide
Longitudinal studies have found a significantly lower rate of suicide among both men and women who drink 2 or more cups of coffee each day. It is unclear why coffee appears to lower the suicide risk, and more research is needed.
Health Problems Associated with Coffee
Coffee has been linked with a number of health problems, including osteoporosis and increased cholesterol. Pregnant women, people who are prone to anxiety and those with a family history of osteoporosis should either limit their intake or avoid coffee altogether.
Coffee and Weight Loss
Contrary to popular belief, caffeine is not associated with long-term weight loss. Although ingestion of large amounts of caffeine can aid weight loss in the short term, it actually makes it difficult to keep the weight off because it increases stress hormones and causes blood sugar imbalances, which stimulate appetite. Tea has actually proven to be better for maintaining a lower body weight.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to represent 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:
- Cromie, W. (March 14, 1996). “Coffee Won’t Grind You Down: May Reduce Risk of Suicide, Study Concludes.” The Harvard University Gazette.
- Kaslow, J., MD. (n.d.). “Health Issues Associated with Coffee and Caffeine.” Drkaslow.com.
- 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.
