Good news for you coffee drinkers! While historically, coffee was believed to potentially cause cancer and heart disease among other things, more recent studies have proven otherwise. Sunday Sept 29 is National Coffee Day, and we fully support celebrating guilt-free with a giant cup of joe.
Benefits of Coffee
Coffee can make you live longer! Moderate coffee intake (3-4 cups/day) has been linked to a longer lifespan. Studies have also found coffee to reduce cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, uterine and liver cancer, cirrhosis, gout, protect against Parkinson’s, improve cognitive function, slow progress of dementia, reduce melanoma risk, and decrease risk of depression. Cool!
In June 2016, WHO (World Health Organization) lifted coffee from the list of potentially carcinogenic foods and even said it could potentially protect against cancer.
Why the change of heart? Earlier studies didn’t take into account things like smoking, physical inactivity and other negative risk factors that tended to be more common among coffee drinkers.
There are a few things to keep in mind however.
1. The research focuses on the benefits of black coffee, not those with added cream and sugar. To put in perspective, a Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew has 250 calories, 12g of fat, and 31g of sugar. (Easily not the worst thing on their menu!) A black coffee has only 2 calories, 0g of fat, and 0 carbs.
2. Caffeine can cause acid reflux.
3. Caffeine cause insomnia. It’s best to avoid coffee after noon if you have trouble sleeping.
4. Some evidence shows that moderate to high coffee consumption (4+cups a day) is linked with osteoporosis.
Bottom line, if you enjoy your daily dose of coffee, keeping it simple can provide you with many health benefits. If you’re like me, and the only way you’ll drink it is with 31g of sugar and 12g of fat then it might be best to save it for an occasional treat. Happy National Coffee Day!
(Sources)
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-latest-scoop-on-the-health-benefits-of-coffee-2017092512429
https://www.rush.edu/health-wellness/discover-health/health-benefits-coffee