Is Coffee Good for You?
Dr Michael Gliksman
BMed(Hons), MPH, PhD, FAFPHM(RACP), FRSMed.​

This article does not provide individual medical advice. It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your doctor before making any lifestyle or treatment changes based on the information contained in this article.

Sometimes the pace of change in medical knowledge is enough to make you ill. Eggs good. No, bad. No, good again. Same with coffee. What’s a coffee lover to do?

Although early studies of coffee suggested that it could lead to health problems, recent research provides strong evidence that drinking coffee has, with some provisos, a variety of health benefits. In other words, as with so much in medicine, it’s complicated.

Professor Frank Hu, Chair of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard’s T H Chan School of Public Health said in a 2021 article: “For most people, moderate coffee consumption can be incorporated into a healthy diet.” This begs the questions: which people; in what circumstances; and how much is ‘moderate’?

Professor Hu said that about two to five cups a day is linked to a lower likelihood of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), heart disease, liver and endometrial cancers, Parkinson’s disease, and depression.

​

Although early studies of coffee suggested that it could lead to health problems,
recent research shows that drinking coffee has, with some provisos, a variety of health benefits.
Credits: Shutterstock​

Early research linked coffee to diseases ranging from heart disease and asthma, but many participants in those studies also smoked, which led researchers to think that coffee was responsible for the adverse effects we now know were caused by cigarettes. To epidemiologists, this is known as confounding. Today, scientists use more advanced sampling and statistical methods that can correct – at least in part, for the effects of confounding.

Despite the updated evidence regarding coffee, not much is known about the effects of coffee on children, or during pregnancy. For this reason, women who are expecting should consider limiting their coffee intake to the equivalent of about two cups a day.

Caffeine can cause anxiety and insomnia (especially if consumed in the evening) but contrary to popular lore, it does not provoke cardiac arrhythmias.

Among the many compounds coffee contains are antioxidants called polyphenols. Some have been found to fight inflammation and protect against some diseases. Some may reduce the risk of T2DM and heart disease. Again, contrary to popular lore the evidence for these health benefits is strongest for caffeinated coffee, not decaf.
​

Coffee contains compounds that have been found to fight inflammation and protect against some diseases.
Some may reduce the risk of T2DM and heart disease. Credits: Shutterstock
​

It’s also unclear whether some methods of making coffee entail different risks and benefits. There is some evidence that coffee brewed with a paper filter (eg drip coffee) is a safer alternative, as other methods of making coffee can contain higher levels of compounds that raise levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL).

Although it can be tempting to assume coffee’s health benefits apply to all coffee-based preparations, those containing lots of added sugars, saturated fats (cream etc) and other calories (flavoured syrups etc - hello Starbucks) may militate against any worthwhile health benefits of coffee consumption.

In summary:​

• Moderate caffeinated coffee consumption (less than five cups per day) is associated with health benefits;​
• is not associated with an increased risk of arrhythmias;​
• is associated with the risk of provoking anxiety, and of insomnia if consumed at night;​
• should be limited to fewer cups per day (if any) for children, and during pregnancy;​
• should contain minimal or no sugars/fats/flavoured syrups and;​
• be made preferably drip style, especially if consuming many cups per day.​

Sources:

14 surprising health benefits of coffee backed by science ​

Is coffee good or bad for your health?
What is Confounding?
Is Coffee Bad for Kids?
Moderate daily caffeine intake during pregnancy may lead to smaller birth size
Coffee Doesn’t Raise Your Risk for Heart Rhythm Problems
One Major Side Effect Decaf Coffee Has on Your Heart, New Study Says
Coffee consumption and mortality from cardiovascular diseases and total mortality: Does the brewing method matter?

 

[Esma Rose]

Coffee has always been a bone of contention even between Doctors. On/off all the time. We thirst for one particular coffee mostly. Mine is ANY coffee brew,as it comes, instant you name it. 4 to 6 a DAY with activities plus, sleep or wake up & am nearly 97. Freaky oldie I'm not stopping now. ha ha ha. My metabolism must be ok as last check-up from Doctor was SPOT-ON including cholesterol. AND my two knees are into their 22nd year of prosthetics so HOW LUCKY I AM eh? P'raps "Latte" is the answer or genes???


1.

 

[Ricci]

Once again. everything in moderation.

 

[Benjonas9385]

Is Coffee Good for You?
Dr Michael Gliksman
BMed(Hons), MPH, PhD, FAFPHM(RACP), FRSMed.​

This article does not provide individual medical advice. It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your doctor before making any lifestyle or treatment changes based on the information contained in this article.

Sometimes the pace of change in medical knowledge is enough to make you ill. Eggs good. No, bad. No, good again. Same with coffee. What’s a coffee lover to do?

Although early studies of coffee suggested that it could lead to health problems, recent research provides strong evidence that drinking coffee has, with some provisos, a variety of health benefits. In other words, as with so much in medicine, it’s complicated.

Professor Frank Hu, Chair of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard’s T H Chan School of Public Health said in a 2021 article: “For most people, moderate coffee consumption can be incorporated into a healthy diet.” This begs the questions: which people; in what circumstances; and how much is ‘moderate’?

Professor Hu said that about two to five cups a day is linked to a lower likelihood of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), heart disease, liver and endometrial cancers, Parkinson’s disease, and depression.

​

View attachment 3430
Although early studies of coffee suggested that it could lead to health problems,
recent research shows that drinking coffee has, with some provisos, a variety of health benefits.
Credits: Shutterstock​

Early research linked coffee to diseases ranging from heart disease and asthma, but many participants in those studies also smoked, which led researchers to think that coffee was responsible for the adverse effects we now know were caused by cigarettes. To epidemiologists, this is known as confounding. Today, scientists use more advanced sampling and statistical methods that can correct – at least in part, for the effects of confounding.

Despite the updated evidence regarding coffee, not much is known about the effects of coffee on children, or during pregnancy. For this reason, women who are expecting should consider limiting their coffee intake to the equivalent of about two cups a day.

Caffeine can cause anxiety and insomnia (especially if consumed in the evening) but contrary to popular lore, it does not provoke cardiac arrhythmias.

Among the many compounds coffee contains are antioxidants called polyphenols. Some have been found to fight inflammation and protect against some diseases. Some may reduce the risk of T2DM and heart disease. Again, contrary to popular lore the evidence for these health benefits is strongest for caffeinated coffee, not decaf.
​

View attachment 3431
Coffee contains compounds that have been found to fight inflammation and protect against some diseases.
Some may reduce the risk of T2DM and heart disease. Credits: Shutterstock
​

It’s also unclear whether some methods of making coffee entail different risks and benefits. There is some evidence that coffee brewed with a paper filter (eg drip coffee) is a safer alternative, as other methods of making coffee can contain higher levels of compounds that raise levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL).

Although it can be tempting to assume coffee’s health benefits apply to all coffee-based preparations, those containing lots of added sugars, saturated fats (cream etc) and other calories (flavoured syrups etc - hello Starbucks) may militate against any worthwhile health benefits of coffee consumption.

In summary:​

• Moderate caffeinated coffee consumption (less than five cups per day) is associated with health benefits;​
• is not associated with an increased risk of arrhythmias;​
• is associated with the risk of provoking anxiety, and of insomnia if consumed at night;​
• should be limited to fewer cups per day (if any) for children, and during pregnancy;​
• should contain minimal or no sugars/fats/flavoured syrups and;​
• be made preferably drip style, especially if consuming many cups per day.​

Sources:
​

Is coffee good or bad for your health?
What is Confounding?
Is Coffee Bad for Kids?
Moderate daily caffeine intake during pregnancy may lead to smaller birth size
Coffee Doesn’t Raise Your Risk for Heart Rhythm Problems
One Major Side Effect Decaf Coffee Has on Your Heart, New Study Says
Coffee consumption and mortality from cardiovascular diseases and total mortality: Does the brewing method matter?

Thanks for sharing such an amazing information.