Is Coffee Bad for You?

Is Coffee Bad for You?

The short answer to this question is that it depends, but coffee is not inherantly bad for you, and can actually be quite beneficial to your health given the right conditions. There are a few factors that determine the health effects of coffee:

Consumption rate

Consuming 20 cups of coffee in a day is probably not going to be good for you and your health. This should not surprise anyone. In some cases below, however, 3-5 cups are needed to derive significant benefit from coffee. Remember that cups refers to 8 fluid ounces, not a mug.
Preparation method

Coffee that is prepared witha paper filter removes some of the least desirable chemicals from coffee, including cafesterol and kahweol, which increase cholesterol.^∞
Temperature

A recent study shows that drinking bevarages of any sort at temperatures over 158 degrees Farenheit (70 Celsius) increases the risk of throat cancer greatly. That's much hotter than more people are comfortable drinking, so don't push yourself to drink scalding hot beverages of any sort.^∞
Consumption habits and timing

Drinking coffee may block the absorption of some minerals, such as iron^∞1 ^∞2, calcium^∞, zinc^∞, and magnesium^∞. If you consume coffee every time you eat, you may eventually develop a deficiency of one or more mineralals. This does not mean that you should drink coffee on an empty stomach.∞

Aside from these three variables, there are a number of reasons why coffee could be good or bad for you.

Health Benefits of Coffee

General Cognitive Performance

Many people drink coffee because it helps them feel more alert and more focused. Many studies have shown, however, that this is more than a mere feeling, and that the cognitive benefits of drinking caffeinated coffee are real. The cognitive benefits of drinking coffee appear to be immediate as well as cumulative.

One study had test subjects avoid caffeine for a set time, and then take either a sugar pill or a caffeine pill. Those who received the real caffeine pill showed an increased brain function in fMRI scans^_∞.

Two separate, independent studies measuered current coffee consumption and lifetime coffee consumption, and then gave patients cognitive tests. Both lifetime and current coffee consumption were positively correlated with higher test scores, after adjusting for variables. Interestingly enough, lifetime consumption of caffeine in coffee was more strongly correlated with better test scores than current coffee consumption.^∞ The results are more pronounced in older people^∞, especially in women^∞. This may be at least partially due to the reduction in early-stage Alzheimer's and dementia.

No cognitive benefit has been found for decafinated coffee.

Lowered Risk of Alzheimers and Dementia

Several studies have now shown conclusively that those who drink coffee have a greatly reduced chance of developing both Alzheimers and dementia. One study found that those who drank two cups or more of coffee per day were far less likely to develop Alzheimers disease.^∞1 ∞2 In another (longitudinal) study, coffee drinkers who drank 3-5 cups per day had a 65% lower chance of developing dementia.^∞ That's good news for coffee lovers.

Lowered Risk of Cancers

Coffee drinking has been correlated with a lowered risk of oral^∞ (mouth), esophageal^∞ (throat), pharynheal^∞^∞2 (head/neck), colon^{∞1 ∞2}, skin^∞, and liver^∞ cancers.^∞ There is also some correlation to a lowered risk of breast cancer,^∞ but only in postmenopausal women. Among the more surprising studies showed that coffee drinkers (3-5 cups / 24 - 40 oz.) have a 50% lower risk of liver cancer.

Some cancers have yet to be studies in relation to coffee consumption. Interestingly enough, a few of the chemicals in coffee are carcinogens (cancer-causing chemicals) in rats, yet coffee consumption has never been correlated with higher rates of cancer. So far, coffee has been shown to be healthy where cancer is concerned.

Reduced Risk of Parkinson's

Several studies have show that coffee reduces the risk of Parkinson's disease significantly. Researchers adjusted for education level, alcohol consumption, and smoking rates (all of which are typically higher in coffee drinkers) and found that coffee drinkers were much less likely to develop the disesase. For coffee drinkers who did develop the disease, the onset was delayed by an average of 8 years.^∞ (64 vs. 72). A logitudinal study confirmed the finding that coffee reduces the risk and onset of Parkinson's. (10.4 per 10,000 vs 1.0 per 10,000 person-years)^∞

Protection of the Liver

In addition to apparantly protecting against cancer of the liver, drinking four or more cups (as in 8 fl. oz. - there are usually two cups in a "cup") of coffee reduced risk of cirrhosis of the liver by about 350% for alcoholic cirrhosis, and 70% in those who had non alcohol-related cirrhosis.^∞ Positive results were also reported for hepatocellular carcinoma.^∞ All of these studies adjusted for other demographic and lifestyle variables. Please note that the best way to avoid alchol-related cirrhosis is not to drink coffee, but to avoid drinking an excess of alcohol.

Lowered Risk of Gallstones and Gallbladder Disease

This effect was found in both men and women in two Harvard studies. Thousands of men and women were studied over 20 years, and both had similar findings: those who drank less coffee were more likely to have had a "cholecystectomy" – a removal of gallstones.^{∞1 ∞2} It is thought that coffee stimulates the gallbladder, pushing out the material that would otherwise form a gallstone.

Anti Diabetic

Recent analysis of studies shows that coffee can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 50% for coffee drinkers.^∞ The authors of one study suggest that for every 8 ounces of coffee consumed, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes dropped by 7%.^∞

Heart Health

Contrary to common belief that caffeine "stresses" your heart, coffee appears to actually reduce your risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. One study with excellent methodology and huge sample sizes found that those who drank those who drank the most coffee had a 38% lower risk of cardiovascular disease for men and 22% lower for women when compared to those who drank the least coffee.^∞ Another large study attempted to adjust for caffeine intake, and found a small (but statistically significant) benefit for even decafinated coffee.^∞

Gout

The consumption of coffee is inversely correlated with occurance of gout. The same benefits are not seen at all from caffeine consumption, but only with coffee. The risk of gout in a study of 46,000 men declined as coffee consumption increased, with heavy coffee drinkers (6+ cups) having a 60% reduced risk of gout.^∞

Use as a Pain Killer

It has been known for some time that caffeine increases the effectiveness of analgesics, or painkillers. For this reason, caffeine is often added to over-the-counter pain pills. Caffeine makes painkillers up to 40% more effective (self-reported), and increases their rate of absorption.^∞

Coffee Health Myth – Dehydration

Contrary to popular belief, coffee does not dehydrate the body or cause an elecrtrolyte imbalance if consumed in moderation. In fact, coffee is hydrating – as hydrating as water is.^{∞1 ∞2 ∞3 ∞4} Coffee is also not a very strong diuretic, as is commonly thought.^∞ Both findings have been been confirmed by at least five solid studies.

Coffee does not produce a reduced exercise heat-tollerance either. In other words, caffeine and coffee should be fine (in moderation, which varies based on tolerance) for athletes, and need not be avoided for hydration purposes.^∞1 ∞2

Asthma

A decrease in the symptoms of bronchial asthma was one of the very first reported health benefits of coffee, and modern studies have verified the fact. The scientists stated that "long-term moderate coffee consumption may not only reduce symptoms, but also prevent the clinical manifestation of bronchial asthma."^∞

Other Potential Benefits

Dental carries and plaque may be reduced by coffee consumption. ^∞

Roasted coffee appears to have strong antioxidant properties not fully recognized in raw coffee beans. Roasted coffee protected cells from oxidative stress, imrpoving cell survival in hydrogen peroxide by about 350%.^∞ While words like "lipophilic antioxidants" may sound impressive, it should be remembered that antioxidant properties only matter when the results match up.

In addition to the cancers listed above, some studies have suggested that coffee may protect against aggressive prostate^∞ cancer and reduce the occurance of kidney stones.^∞ Further research is needed on these subjects.

Is coffee good for you, then? In many ways, it appears as though the answer is "yes." We should, however, examine coffee health benefits as well as risks before making a final decision.

Coffee Health Risks

Gastrointestinal Complications

Coffee is slightly acidic, and may damage the gastrointestinal track, especially where conditions already exists. Those with previous or present gastritis, colitis, and ulcers would do well to avoid coffee and other acidic or spicy foods. Coffee has not been shown to increase the risk of ulcers,∞ but it has been shown to increase heartburn in some individuals.^∞

Cholesterol (Unfiltered Only)

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, coffee contains chemicals that may raise LDL levels slightly.^{∞1 ∞2} These chemicals are removed with paper filters, but not otherwise. Those with high cholesterol risks should either not drink coffee or use paper filters.∞1 ∞2

Coronary Artery Disease (?)

There is conflicting information as to whether coffee contributes to the disease. One study showed that drinking more than four cups of coffee (32 oz.) caused artery inflamation.^∞ Another study found that coffee may reduce inflamation in arteries, thus lowering the risk of heart diseases.^∞

The difference, again, may be in the use of paper filters. This hypothesis is further bolstered by a study that found no correlation in coffee consumption and coronary heart disease,^∞ and others that showed an overall decreased risk for relevant coronary diseases.^∞1^∞2 Another factor may be that some people are not able to metabolize caffeine at regular rates - namely those taking birth control and those with rare genetic anomalies.^∞

Iron Deficiency in Pregnant Women

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, coffee may partially block the absorption of some minerals. Most Americans have no problem getting more than enough iron in their diet, even when drinking a large amount of coffee. Groups at higher risk for iron deficiency include pregnant women, infants, and some elderly people.^∞ Roughly two cups (16 oz.) of coffee per day appears to be safe for pregnant women to avoid birth defects. For more information, see our article on coffee and pregnancy.

Coffee Stains Your Teeth^∞

Enough said. Of course, tooth whitening products exist, and are safe when used correctly.

Stupidity and Alcohol

This needs to be said at some point in this article: coffee does not reverese the effects of alcohol. Coffee might make you feel more alert and safe to drive, but it's just a feeling – not reality. Do not attempt to compensate for intoxication with coffee consumption.^∞1 ∞2

Mixing caffeine and alcohol may be bad for your heart, too, as one is a depressant and the other a stimulant. No signifcant research has been done on the topic, however, due to the potential risk factors involved with human patients.

Caffeine Jitters

Coffee is a stimulant, and may therefore keep you up at night when trying to sleep – particularly if one is not used to it, or on an irregular sleep cycle. Some coffee drinkers feel more anxious and jittery after drinking coffee. This should not be confused with anxiety. Anxiety and anxiety disorders are different from "caffeineism," or the "coffee jitters." While those with anxiety may have that feeling amplified by caffeine, several studies failed to find a correlation between clinical anxiety and caffeine consumption.^∞1 ∞2

Other Potential Risks

There are conflicting facts in regards to coffee and cancer of the pancreas. One study found that coffee drinkers were less likely to develop the cancer,∞ while another found that those who had been diagnosed with cancer were more likely to be coffee drinkers (after adjusting for the variable of smoking and not drinking coffee).^∞ It has been suggested that drinking coffee and smoking may have a more negative effect on health than either activity in isolation, but more research was recommended.

While it was previously believed that coffee might cause bladder cancer in men, a number of studies^∞combined with a meta-analysis found that the researchers had failed to properly adjust for variables, and "that the best available data do not suggest a clinically important association between the regular use of coffee and development of cancer of the LUT in men or women."^∞ The same appears to be true of high blood pressure.^∞

Other Health Effects

Libido (Sex Drive)

Caffeine may increase sex drive in women, and its effect on men may be similar except in cases of zinc deficiency. Some have suggested that coffee increases sex drive, while other have insisted the opposite to be true. The fact of the matter is that sex drive is very hard to measure in humans, and there is no definitive answer at the moment. Research would seem to indicate, however, that caffeine may increase interest in having sex more often. In a study involving rats, femal rats given caffeine were more likely than the control group to stop by a companion male for the purpose of getting a little more action.^∞ If nothing else, caffeine increases energy, and low energy is a common reason for being disinterested in sex.

Conclusion

Is coffee good or bad for you? It depends, but in the author's view it appears that the health benefits of coffee far outweigh the health risks – especially when a paper filter is used. That said, coffee isn't for everyone, and pregnant women and people with iron deficiencies, gastrointestinal problems, hypertension, etc. should probably avoid drinking large quantities of coffee. Otherwise, coffee seems to be quite healthy and quite beneficial all-around.

Please note that while drinking coffee has several benefits, these effects pale in comparison to an active lifestlye, low amounts of body fat, a low-fat diet, and eating fruits and vegatables.

While the research above was thoroughly researched, it is possible that I have misunderstood the research. I am not a medical doctor – the information above is presented for your information only, and BeansMachines.com shall not be liable for its use. Please consult with a medical proffesional before making any changes to your lifestyle.

-By Keenan Steel

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