Just when you think everything you enjoy to eat or drink has to be listed in the “guilty pleasures” column, some good news surfaces about coffee.
Of course not all of us enjoy this beverage, but for those who do, it’s certainly music to our ears.
Of course this does not mean we can drink pots full of coffee during the course of the day. The words “in moderation” must always be taken seriously.
Heavy caffeine use — on the order of four to seven cups of coffee a day — can cause problems such as restlessness, anxiety, irritability and sleeplessness.
Here are some healthy coffee facts as cited by the Mayo Clinic:
Recent studies have generally found no connection between coffee and an increased risk of cancer or heart disease. Earlier studies didn’t always take into account that known high-risk behaviors, such as smoking and physical inactivity, tended to be more common among heavy coffee drinkers at that time.
Newer studies have also shown that coffee may have benefits, such as protecting against Parkinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes and liver cancer. And it has a high content of antioxidants.
Although coffee may not be very harmful, other beverages such as milk and juice contain nutrients that coffee does not.
Also, keep in mind that if you drink coffee with cream and sugar, you are adding fat and calories to your diet.
This recent research also appears to bear out some risks. High consumption of unfiltered coffee is associated with mild elevations in cholesterol levels. And another study found that two or more cups of coffee a day can increase the risk of heart disease in people with a specific genetic mutation that slows the breakdown of caffeine in the body. It’s always a good idea to talk to your health care professional before changing your diet.
