Is Coffee a Health Beverage?

Are you one of the many people who drink coffee everyday? Do you feel like you can’t get through the day without your trusted caffeine fix? I know I am! I love coffee and I’ve been drinking it daily since I was 14. I admit that I am completely dependent on it. I once tried to quit coffee (for fun I guess?) and although I recall I lasted 14 days without it, I didn’t feel the same and I returned to my coffee-drinking ways. I personally don’t feel like there’s anything wrong with drinking coffee and science backs me up.

Coffee has been shown to decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (just don’t load up your cup with sugar and cream!), increase metabolic rate slightly and help burn fat, increase athletic performance, increase energy levels, and protect against Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and possibly lower the risk of colorectal cancer. Coffee does have its naysayers though, who claim that drinking coffee leads to dehydration and dependency. While it’s true caffeine is an addictive compound, I think the benefits far outweigh the risks, especially because overdoing coffee is kind of hard to do. It would take about 100 cups of coffee consumed in less than 24 hours to produce toxicity or death. I don’t know anyone who is THAT crazy for coffee, but if that sounds like something you’d do, maybe go easy on the bean.

Whatever science says, the choice to drink coffee is entirely up to you. Although it definitely has health benefits, some people are extremely sensitive to caffeine and the other compounds found in coffee beans. For these individuals, it’s best to avoid coffee. Additionally, if you have adrenal problems, are taking certain medications, or have other health issues, make sure you consult your doctor before drinking coffee or if you think your current coffee consumption may be interfering with your health.

I’ll be posting some other facts about coffee in a future post, and maybe I’ll come up with a coffee-flavored baked good, so check back soon! Feel free to discuss your coffee preferences by leaving a comment.

-Jess