Coffee is a natural mix of antioxidants, caffeine and diterpenes; the perfect richness of its taste and also the effects on our bodies can be attributed to these compounds. Recent studies have been thrown into the short-term as well as long-term effects of coffee in a bid to understand what health risks or benefits we get exposed to when we consume at least a cup every day.
The mineral components in a normal cup of coffee include vitamins B1, B2, B3 and B5, manganese, magnesium and potassium; and these can improve the all round nutrient intake added to our diet. But does consuming coffee on a daily basis have a positive or negative effect on our health? What do we need to know?
· COFFEE HYPES UP BODY FUNCTIONS, BUT NOT FOR LONG – Caffeine; which is a key component of coffee, is the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance today; it increases adrenaline function in the blood during physical exertion and also helps fat cells breakdown and convert fat to fuel the body. Caffeine increases brain activity and reduces tiredness through its actions on adenosine, an inhibitory brain hormone. However, on a long-term basis; consuming caffeine daily can ultimately cause your body to build a resistance to its effects. Then there’s the case of increased levels of anxiety, panic and loss of sleep; if you are getting sensitive to the fact that coffee no longer gives the desired effects, then your caffeine immunity is getting really well established, and this can cause a desire to increase dosage levels, but you really should be careful of that; what you really need may be to stay off coffee for a bit.
· COFFEE CAN INCREASE LIFE SPAN – Studies have shown that people who consume coffee have a lower risk of deadly diseases; coffee has liver protecting abilities, increases fibre intake and reduces the risk of diabetes. Studies have shown that coffee drinkers had a lower chance of suffering from depression, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
However, research has also shown that consuming coffee daily can increase the risk of having a heart disease; this is, however, can only happen to people who have a genetic makeup that prone to breaking down caffeine slowly.
· COFFEE CAN KILL YOU – Yes, coffee generally seems to have more positive than negative effects, but incessant consumption of coffee over a short period can cause your body to take in an unusually high concentration of caffeine which can have lethal effects. If you drink coffee when pregnant, you need to know that caffeine also reaches the foetus; therefore you must reduce consumption levels to one cup a day as babies are highly sensitive to caffeine.
· THE QUALITY OF YOUR COFFEE MATTERS – Caffeinated or Decaffeinated? Extra sugar or creamer? Brew pattern? How your coffee is served matters a great deal; unfiltered coffee contains cafestol which increases cholesterol levels, decaffeinated coffee has had the caffeine removed so that some of the side effects from excessive consumption are avoided, and adding lots of sugar to your coffee can make it unhealthy.
· WHO SHOULD BE DRINKING COFFEE? – For most people, coffee is a great addition to their diet, and a steady consumption of at least a cup daily will do lots of good to their productivity levels; however, those with anxiety issues, low caffeine conversion rates, sensitive body conditions may have to settle for a settle for a closely monitored coffee consumption schedule or avoid coffee entirely.
I think it’s safe to say that on the average; coffee is healthy and good enough to be consumed daily by anyone. If you already consume, then you simply need to ensure that you are consuming healthy coffee bought from a reputable store (e.g. k cups online) and not getting hung on excessive consumption.