Coffee: Good or Bad?

For a long time, there was a stigma attached to coffee. It was thought to increase the risk of heart disease and cancer in those who drank it. It turns out that much of this concern was caused not by the coffee itself, but actually the health habits of the studies’ participants – at the time that these studies were being done, coffee drinkers also tended to engage in negative habits like smoking and physical inactivity.

Health Benefits of Coffee

New research has shown that for the most part, the health benefits of drinking coffee actually outweigh the potential risks. Although drinking coffee may increase heart disease risk for people with a specific genetic mutation that causes them to break down caffeine unusually slowly, most people should be safe as long as they consume no more than 3-4 cups daily.

Coffee has been linked to lowered risk of developing liver cancer, type 2 diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. It’s also high in antioxidants and may help to diminish risk of developing Alzheimer’s in later life. Still, it’s important that you keep an eye on your consumption and avoid drinking more than 4 cups a day.

Avoiding Extra Calories

Also, keep in mind that caffeine content can vary widely depending on the type of coffee and method of brewing that has been used. And don’t forget that if you’re drinking three cappuccinos or lattes a day, or even just enjoy whole milk in your java, the calories associated with your coffee habit will add up.

If you’re looking to lose weight, switching to skim milk lattes every day could result in a serious caloric reduction over time. Like most things, coffee consumption is all about moderation. But the simple act of consumption doesn’t really represent much of a health risk.