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For The Love Of Coffee
- Is Drinking Coffee Harmful To Your Health?
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As the jury sits quietly sequestered in coffeehouses worldwide, the proverbial coffee debate brews on. Some hold a steadfast belief that coffee, in all of its variety and sophistication, is a harmless indulgence, while others rail against the physiological effects associated with over-consumption and that there is a health risk of drinking coffee.
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Whichever way your mug is tipped, one thing is irrefutable; the love of coffee transcends cultural and socioeconomic divides. From the heights of aristocracy to the kitchens of the average Joe, coffee reigns as the beverage of choice for millions.
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Considering such a savory appeal, could the consumption of coffee be harmful to your health? The findings may surprise you.
Coffee (the product of dried berry seeds versus an actual bean) is the leading agricultural commodity worldwide. This echelon of production is a response to an insatiable, continuous, and unyielding demand. Apart from wreaking havoc on your pearly whites, its consumption may be a contributing factor to many well-known ailments. For some, migraines, heartburn, iron-deficiency anemia, and an increased risk for coronary heart disease have been linked, either directly or indirectly, to the consumption of coffee. In keeping with this assertion, three reasons stand apart from the rest: the method of preparation, the level of consumption, and the caffeine content.
METHOD OF PREPARATION
The first culprit lies in the manner in which the coffee is prepared. Unfiltered coffee contains oily components called diterpenes (a class of hydrocarbons produced by plants). The two that are found in the Coffea arabica plant (kahweol and cafestol) have been linked to an increase in LDL (bad) cholesterol, which can lead to coronary heart disease. These oily components are eliminated when using a non-metal filtration system. It should be noted that paper filtered coffee is the predominant method of preparation for the majority of consumers.
LEVEL OF CONSUMPTION
Because no two Joes are alike, the level of individual consumption plays a role in whether the affects of coffee are harmful to health. In the case of iron deficiency, polyphenols (responsible for the anti-absorption of nutrients) seem to be the cause. Coffee contains notable amounts of polyphenols, and therefore, increased consumption can decrease the absorption levels of supplemental iron, leading to anemia. Further, moderate to excessive amounts of coffee (whether caffeinated or decaffeinated) have been shown to exacerbate symptoms associated with gastritis, colitis, ulcers, and gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), due to the existing damage in the lining of the esophagus and stomach. To the contrary, many experience adverse, and even life-threatening, health effects from over-indulging, even in the absence of pre-existing conditions. The old adage that "Everything should be done in moderation, or not at all," tends to rings true in this case.
CAFFEINE CONTENT
The third, and frequently asserted, reason for the harmful effects of coffee is its caffeine content. As a central nervous system stimulant (CNS), caffeine is commonly used to ward off drowsiness, and to provide the consumer with a temporary sense of alertness. To achieve this effect, the average Joe would need to consume anywhere between 25 - 50 milligrams. Arguably, there are times when caffeine is useful; however, excess consumption, as well as caffeine withdrawal, is associated with a litany of adverse reactions. These include, but are not limited to, anxiety, insomnia, nausea, irritability, heart palpitations, and an increased incidence of migraine headaches. While tea has a greater caffeine content by dry weight, it is typically brewed at a weaker strength. The average caffeine content in a single 8 oz. cup of brewed coffee is 80 - 135 mg, a drip/filtered cup of coffee contains 115 - 175 mg, and a 2 oz. shot of espresso packs in an impressive concentration of 100 mg. The reality is, one would be hard-pressed to find an avid coffee drinker who consumes only one cup per day.
When it all boils down, are you willing to accept the associated health risks FOR THE LOVE OF JOE - IN A CUP? Surprisingly, experts and enthusiasts on either side of this debate do concede one thing. Regardless of the risks, many will forever delight in the wafting aroma of freshly brewed coffee as a prelude to their day. So, top of the morning to you... and Joe.
Any information, advice, recommendations, statements or otherwise contained herein, or in any other communication made by or attributed to Eastern Suburbs Mobile Massage Sydney and its representatives, whether oral or in writing, is not intended to replace or to be a substitute for medical advice trained by a trained physician or healthcare practitioner.
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Any information, advice, recommendations, statements or otherwise contained herein, or in any other communication made by or attributed to Eastern Suburbs Massage and its representatives, whether oral or in writing, is not intended to replace or to be a substitute for medical advice trained by a trained physician or healthcare practitioner.
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