Is coffee a health food?
~ Anita
Coffee contains both health-promoting properties as well as some potentially harmful ones. Some research shows benefits of coffee consumption, thanks to its antioxidant properties and ability to expedite the passage of food and toxins through the gastrointestinal tract. There are studies showing an association between coffee intake and reduced risk of cancer and type two diabetes. Also, the caffeine in coffee has been shown to enhance exercise and fitness performance as well as improve cognition. So, a cup of Joe before a workout or before taking a test can be beneficial. That same caffeine acts as an appetite suppressant, which could also be an advantage for many people.
On the flip side, coffee is linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure because of the caffeine. Also, anyone with Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) should avoid coffee because it can exacerbate the problem. Both caffeinated and decaf coffee can irritate the lining of the stomach and increase acid production. Coffee has an overall acidifying effect in the body, which is something to be wary of. Anther concern is the presence of acrylamides in coffee. These cancer-promoting compounds form during the roasting of coffee beans, and small amounts do ultimately find their way in the brewed end-product. Finally, caffeine is a stimulant and does inhibit the ability to fall asleep for many, so it should be consumed earlier in the day to avoid this effect.
Overall, if you are eating a whole food, plant-based diet that includes plenty of vegetables and fruit, a little bit of coffee is not going to stand in your way of attaining and maintaining optimal health. Like with many foods and beverages, moderation does matter. Most of the evidence settles on the safety of 1-2 cups of coffee per day for the general population.
Image courtesy of Flickr (@Doug88888)
You know – my naturopath has always said, if you’re gonna drink it, just make sure you grind your beans fresh – In that state, it is a medicinal drink. Actually, I don’t drink coffee like I used to, but this weekend was one of those ‘must have’ kind of times – And, my mom said ‘get a 5 hour energy drink, it’s probably healthier!’ Ummm…WTF? No, it’s not, ha! If you’re gonna go the caffeine route – fresh ground/brewed coffee is probably the way to go!
Nice well balanced approach Julieanna! I love it. Some times the smell of coffee is the only thing to get me out of bed in the morning!
I looooove the smell too. Oftentimes the smell alone is enough for me!
I completely agree that coffee is lightyears healthier than “energy drinks.”
I heard that all water used to be dino pee, and the only way to properly filter it to be fit for human consumption was to filter it through a coffee maker. Lol, j/k. My dad just bought some of that 5 hour energy drink stuff yesterday. I tried a sip- it tastes like batteries and cough syrup! I don’t understand why people don’t use any common sense when evaluating these products. If it tastes like a chemical burn, and it’s not capsaicin, put it down.
Remember what the PSAs say. 8-10 cups a day 😛