For many people around the world, coffee is a favorite drink that is consumed every morning or even throughout the day. According to the World Research Institute, the average American consumed 416 eight ounce cups of coffee in 2009 alone.
Despite being a morning pick me up and a social drink, coffee has some health benefits when consumed in moderation. Too much of a good thing, coffee included, can cause health issues.
Coffee Contains Powerful Antioxidants
One health benefit of coffee, cited by the Mayo Clinic, Harvard University Medical School, and others, is the large amount of antioxidants that coffee drinkers consume with each cup.
Antioxidants are compounds found in many plant-based foods, such as pomegranates, blueberries, and strawberries, that help the body fight damage from molecules that can harm the body's cellular structures. These antioxidants help prevent diseases and slow the aging process of cells, which help them perform better within the body.
According to an ABC News report, coffee is the number one source of antioxidants in the average American's diet. Researchers stress, however, that a variety of foods that have high levels of antioxidants, also known as superfoods, is key to a healthy diet.
Coffee May Help Prevent Certain Diseases
According to numerous studies, various compounds found in coffee may prevent or reduce the risk of various diseases and health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, heart attacks, strokes, and Parkinson's disease.
Most notably, both regular and decaffienated coffee have been found to help prevent type 2 diabetes, according to WebMD. Studies reviewed by Dr. Frank Hu of Harvard University Medical School found that, among study participants, those who drank several cups of coffee per day were, on average, 35% less likely to have type 2 diabetes than those who reported drinking two cups of coffee or less every day. This is due to a combination of magnesium and chromium, two compounds found in coffee that help the body use insulin more effectively.
For those who drink coffee that is brewed using a filter system, regular coffee consumption may help lower cholesterol levels, says Harvard University Medical School. Filtered coffee, such as coffee made in machines using paper filters, remove the compounds kahweol and cafestol, which are known to raise the levels of cholesterol in humans. For those who enjoy unfiltered coffee, such as espresso and espresso-based drinks, the health benefit is removed as these forms of coffee are not filtered during the brewing process.
Coffee Should Be Consumed in Moderation
As with any other food, coffee should be consumed in moderation, as too much coffee can have adverse side effects.
Coffee is a natural diuretic, which can cause humans to urinate more frequently. Those who drink large amounts of coffee on a regular basis may find themselves running to the rest room more often.
The caffeine found in coffee may, in extremely large doses, lead to a variety of caffeine-related psychiatric disorders, prevent the absorption of iron and calcium into the blood stream, and several other health issues. For those who drink several cups of coffee every day and are concerned about their health, switching to decaffeinated coffee throughout the day may help prevent ill effects due to caffeine consumption.
Coffee is a popular drink among many people around the world. For those who drink coffee regularly, there may be some health benefits for those who enjoy a cup of coffee on a regular basis.
Sources
- "Coffee Health Benefits: Coffee may protect against disease" Harvard Health Publications, Harvard Medical School, published February 2006, accessed 16 April 2011.
- Hensrud, Donald. "Coffee and health: What does the research say?" Mayo Clinic, accessed 16 April 2011.
- Osterweil, Neil. "Coffee and Your Health" WebMD.com, accessed 16 April 2011.
- "Study: Drinking Coffee Has Health Benefits" ABC News, published 28 August 2005, accessed 16 April 2011.
Ashley Anderson - Ashley is an Ohio-based writer and editor with specializations in higher education, writing, and social activism.
