What's in Your Coffee?
More than just caffeine including some potential health benefits
165 million people in the United States drink coffee. Can coffee actually be good for you? Some people
continue to avoid caffeinated coffee because they worry about its health effects, despite 20 years of
encouraging research. Coffee consumption had been linked to cancer and heart disease; however, researchers
failed to account for the real source of the problem - cigarette smoking. In these earlier studies, participants
drank coffee and smoked.
Coffee is now considered to have some real health benefits. Current research has found that the typical cup of coffee contains more antioxidants than a typical serving of grape juice, blueberries, raspberries, or oranges. Some of the reported health benefits include a reduced risk of diabetes, gallstones, colon cancer, liver disease, and Parkinson's disease. Coffee consumption has shown to improve both cognitive function and performance. These health benefits can be seen with moderate consumption, defined as 2-4 cups per day.
Coffee is not the perfect drink. It comes packaged with a mildly addictive stimulant - caffeine. Not
everyone has the same tolerance for coffee and may experience indigestion, stomach problems, or other
intestinal problems when consuming coffee. Additionally, some research suggests that high doses of
caffeinated coffee can result in bone loss due to increased urinary excretion of calcium.
You may be getting some health benefits from that morning cup of coffee. But remember, drinking coffee in excess quantities can be detrimental to your health. Enjoy coffee as part of your eating plan but don't let it squeeze out other important foods and beverages that are also necessary for health.
Additional Resources
- MSN: Coffee, A Top Source of Antioxidants
- Harvard Health Publications: Coffee Health Risks
- National Geographic Magazine: History of Coffee
- New York Times: Coffee as a Health Drink
- Global Exchange: Fair Trade Coffee
Written by Erin Campbell, Dietetic Intern
