Coffee Health Benefits, Risks and Facts

So what is the verdict? Is coffee good for you?

Researchers have been studying and analyzing the benefits, risks and effect of coffee consumption for decades, and the consensus regarding coffee health for most is that consumed in moderation, coffee will not harm your health provided that you don't already suffer certain health issues.

Why are the results of these studies less than firm in their findings?

Many studies have been mostly observational, over a period of years, studying people's habits and health, looking for patterns.

For example, if you were asked how many cups of coffee you drink per day, that's a pretty simple question, right? How large was the coffee cup (how many ounces of product was in the cup)? Did you put cream, sugar, sweetener or something else in it? Think about it for a moment...the answers are really not quite that simple.

Thus, the tentative findings.

However, coffee is one of the most widely researched ingredients, so when we hear results of studies that tell us that coffee, when drunk in moderation is safe for healthy adults, and can even have beneficial health implications, we like to hear that!

Moderation is defined as four to five regular size cups a day. For me, because my coffee cups are large, I know that my two to three cups of black coffee is equal to the five maximum recommended.

Another important coffee health fact to remember is that caffeine is the main ingredient being considered, and you need to consider ALL of the caffeine you consume daily. That would include coffee, tea, cola drinks, energy drinks and, of course, chocolate.

Actually, some of coffee's reported benefits are a direct result of its higher caffeine content. An eight ounce cup of drip-brewed coffee contains about 85 mg, which is about three and a half times more than the same serving of tea or cola or one ounce of chocolate.

What are the studies showing to be coffee health benefits?

Studies show that the risk for type 2 diabetes is lower among regular coffee drinkers than among those who don't drink it.

Also, coffee may reduce the risk of developing gallstones, discourage the development of colon cancer, improve cognitive function, reduce the risk of liver damage in people at high risk for liver disease, and reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease.

Coffee has a long and close friendship with those who want to stay awake and alert. Research suggests that you'll stay more alert, particularly if you are fighting sleep deprivation, if you spread your coffee consumption over the course of the day. For example, if you usually drink 16 ounces in the morning, try consuming a 2-3 ounce serving every hour or so.

Of course, coffee consumption isn't for everyone, and some folks have a more pronounced reaction to the caffeine, including increased nervousness, hand trembling, rapid heartbeat. Coffee may also raise cholesterol levels in some people and may contribute to artery clogging.

It is widely recommended that pregnant women limit their total caffeine intake to 200 mg per day, or drink no more than two regular size cups of coffee per day if no other caffeine products are consumed.

People with heart problems, and those at risk for osteoporosis may be advised to limit or avoid coffee.

Coffee, like most everything else, is a personal thing, and people react differently to it. What works for my coffee consumption may pose issues for you. I drink coffee with the same philosophy that I live every day...everything in moderation. It works for me!