Sometimes I think coffee is so enjoyable, it seems like it has to be bad for you. Hot, delicious, with the little stimulating kick of caffeine -- how could it not be? And yet it's true: For most people, regular, moderate coffee consumption is not harmful to your health.
In fact, one of the best parts of my job is getting to tell a person that he or she doesn't have to give up their morning cup of coffee. As a clinician, a significant part of my day with patients involves nutritional counseling, which means I often find myself encouraging people to eat less sugar, more vegetables, and fewer processed foods -- a necessary but sometimes challenging process! But, for most people, that morning cup of Joe can stay. And often, the look in their eyes when I tell them they don't have to give it up is priceless.
I don't suggest that people can keep drinking coffee simply for the pleasure it brings (though, enjoyment and health are far from antithetical), but also a spate of recent studies have shown that drinking a couple cups of coffee a day just isn't bad for you. According to an article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, "Our results suggest that coffee consumption is not harmful for healthy adults in respect of risk of major chronic disease." Coffee drinkers don't have a higher rate of heart disease or cancer -- or any other major health problems.
And not only that, but there's lots of evidence to show that coffee is actually good for you. The same article in Clinical Nutrition finds that coffee drinkers have a lower risk of diabetes. Other research has show that coffee can lower your risk of several kinds of cancer, including prostate and skin cancer -- and a can lead to a very modest reduction in almost a dozen other types of cancer.
A recent study out of the University of South Florida and University of Miami found consuming higher levels of caffeine (which came from coffee among those tested) is linked with a delayed onset of Alzheimer's disease. In fact, drinking coffee has even been suggested to increase longevity.
And there's evidence that coffee has mental health benefits as well. The results of one study suggested, "Women who consume two to three cups of caffeinated joe per day had a 15 percent lower risk of depression than non-coffee drinkers."
Another study pointed to decreased stroke risk among women who regularly consumed coffee,
and a recent study pointed to decreased risk of heart failure among those who fulfill their jones for java.
The abundance of studies supporting the benefits of coffee can actually be supportive to our health, because it reduces the stress around a habit that we may have erroneously believed was not good for us. It's nice to have some relief from the "food police." When our chosen rituals can be enjoyed without guilt, there is a benefit to our emotional health. Additionally, the benefits of coffee can extend beyond what the studies show, to the psychological, societal and cultural benefits of the world's most popular beverage.
For millions of people, the morning's first cup of coffee is a comforting and much-looked-forward-to ritual, one that can make dragging yourself out of bed and commuting to work a little bit more bearable -- maybe even add a bit of joy. (And, as recent studies have shown, smiling is good for your health too!)
A good cup of coffee can lead to sensory delight. Obviously, the taste of a good cup of coffee is without parallel -- but even a bad cup of coffee has its charms. The appeal of coffee, however, is not limited to a single sense.
The strong, distinct aroma of coffee -- released from grinding beans or even just walking by a coffee shop -- also brings pleasure, which increases dopamine in your brain (which has been correlated with happiness and health). The sight of a coffee shop can often bring a feeling of relief. There's an element of touch: gripping a hot cup of coffee on a brutal winter's day, or the chill of a delicious iced coffee (more appropriate on days like the ones most of us have been having).
And for true enthusiasts, even the sound of the beans grinding can invoke delight, as can the whirring of a milk-steamer or the barista's chatter. Perhaps even on a larger level, the sound of a potential suitor finally asking, "Would you like to meet for coffee?"
That social element of coffee is unparalleled. Coffee appeals to our sense of serving and being served. Offering someone a cup of coffee and receiving a cup of coffee has become kind of a universal symbol of hospitality
Coffee shops can be inspiring gathering places -- one of the few public spaces we have left. People gather in groups to chat, meet for first dates, or sit quietly and read. They host music shows, hang local artists' work, and are places to hang fliers, advertise apartments for rent or look for missing cats.
Like all things, coffee is best enjoyed in moderation (more notes on how to do that below, but the key word in the sentence might be "enjoy," since providing enjoyment is what coffee does best!
How to keep your coffee consumption healthy:
Before you order that extra large triple latte, keep in mind that more experts agree it is best to limit your intake to one to two cups a day. Use common sense -- some people are sensitive to caffeine and should limit or choose decaf. Too much caffeine can contribute to insomnia, nervousness, anxiety, gastrointestinal issues, and heart rhythm concerns. Pregnant woman and those with blood pressure issues should check with their doctor. Also, excess sugar and cream in those fancy coffee drinks are not recommended.
Tips for healthy coffee:
1) If choosing decaf, go for Swiss water process decaf vs. the chemical solvent process.
2) It is best to choose organic coffee when possible. Conventionally-grown coffee is a heavily sprayed crop.
3) If you are watching your cholesterol levels, use paper coffee filters to remove chemicals responsible for elevated cholesterol.
For more by Dr. Patricia Fitzgerald, click here.
For more on personal health, click here.
Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/19/is-coffee-bad-for-you_n_1895557.html
john tyler chuck elisabeth hasselbeck fran drescher scarlett o hara pat sajak vanna white
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