Coffee: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly!

When we think of coffee, we immediately assume we're thinking about caffeine. However, coffee is not just caffeine. It contains polyphenols, mainly chlorogenic acid, kahweol, cafestol, and other phenolics. If you consume coffee daily, you must know that not all coffee is the same. How it is grown, brewed and what is added to it is extremely variable. 

Studies confirming the positive or negative effects of caffeine are usually inaccurate. Many of the studies that show positive effects are funded by coffee manufacturers. After all, it's a $10 billion industry. Some studies are inconclusive and often have words like "may", "might" or "could"! 

 Health Benefits

• Increases energy. (Isn't that why we all drink it?)
• Aids in weight loss. Some studies claim that coffee increases the metabolic rate.
• Contains essential nutrients like antioxidants, vitamins and minerals
• Protects from certain diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, cancer and diabetes!

Again, studies only "claim" these benefits and we cannot be sure that they are 100% true. 
 

Risks

Before I talk about the risks, there is a very important study that proves that people react differently to caffeine. Genetic variations makes people process caffeine in different ways. This means that the health effects of coffee are variable from one person to another. If you don't process caffeine well, you will reach the toxic levels too quickly.

• Caffeine may raise the blood pressure especially for hypertensive patients
• May cause urinary incontinence especially in women
• Insomnia (obviously!). This side effect is more prominent in some people than others
• Caffeine increases the hormone cortisol, or the stress hormone. The effect of caffeine on hormones is especially important in women because hormones play an important role in their health. Cortisol increases naturally by age. High cortisol contributes to many problems like fat storage and weight gain (contradicting to the weight loss benefit above?). Cortisol resistance is also a common problem that slows down metabolism. 

So, do you consider yourself a coffee addict? Do you feel intimidated just by the thought of giving up coffee? If you are, you should be worried! 

Coffee, like any other drink, should never be abused. Even if you are on the other side of the controversy and believe that coffee is good for you, over-drinking coffee is not going to give you the benefits. Also make sure you consider what you add with coffee (sugar and cream anyone?) You certainly don't need the extra calories and more harmful effects of these additives. 

I suggest that you try a little experiment to figure out the effect of coffee on your system. Start by cutting the coffee drinks in half for 3 days. Then replace some of the remaining cups with herbal drinks or warm water with lemon for another 3 days. Finally stop all caffeinated beverages for 2 weeks. Check-in with how you feel and notice any symptoms that disappear. Then decide: are you a moderate coffee drinker or do you prefer the caffeine-free you.