Coffee and it's health benefits (or lack thereof)

healthymissfit
healthymissfit Posts: 648 Member
edited February 5 in Food and Nutrition
I have heard in between stories on how good or bad coffee can be for one. I'm just wanting to hear each side and figure out if I'd like a mug! ;)

Replies

  • TravelDog14
    TravelDog14 Posts: 317 Member
    You'll never have a scientifically foolproof answer as the evidence isn't conclusive one way or another.
    Too many competing studies say different things.

    If you enjoy your coffee, consume it in moderation.
  • TheRealBruceWayne
    TheRealBruceWayne Posts: 22 Member
    Black coffee is fine for you. It actually provides a decent amount of anti-oxidants. Just make sure you don't drink too much/too late if you're sensitive to caffeine. Also make sure to account for any cream or sugars you add because they can up your daily calories in a hurry.
  • ironanimal
    ironanimal Posts: 5,922 Member
    It's a stimulant.

    That's pretty much it.
  • TeachTheGirl
    TeachTheGirl Posts: 2,091 Member
    It's my lifeblood.

    I NEED IT.

    /hoards all the coffee.
  • jmcreynolds91
    jmcreynolds91 Posts: 777 Member
    I enjoy 2 cups a day. I have decided I won't give it up so I drink in moderation. I'm sure there are bad things about it, but that's everything these days. Drink your coffee!! :)
  • links_slayer
    links_slayer Posts: 1,151 Member
    too many chemicals.
  • SPPutnam
    SPPutnam Posts: 51 Member
    If I could, I would have it pumping into me intravenously starting around 5 am. It would make the transition from bed to feet on the floor SO much easier!
  • knittnponder
    knittnponder Posts: 1,953 Member
    It's much healthier for those around me if I have coffee.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    coffee, as with most things, is just fine in moderation.
  • shining_light
    shining_light Posts: 384 Member
    I read a book (called "Grain Brain") where the author -- who is a neurologist -- mentions that something in coffee triggers the body to produce its own antioxidants and also helps turn on some of the brain's repair mechanisms. It's an interesting read for sure.

    I personally drink my coffee black when I have it. I find it helps me reach my dietary goals(because I'm less hungry throughout the day), I'm more awake, and from a number of studies I can safely assume that a cup a day is good for me, or, at the very least, will do me no harm.
  • Fitnin6280
    Fitnin6280 Posts: 618 Member
    I drink coffee for other's health benefits... I need it to deal! :drinker:
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/coffee-and-health/AN01354
  • jmc0806
    jmc0806 Posts: 1,444 Member
    It's much healthier for those around me if I have coffee.

    this
  • ldrosophila
    ldrosophila Posts: 7,512 Member
    my favorite studies with coffee (only because I have a 85 year old coffee drinking Grandma):

    coffee drinkers have reduced risk of cancers and diabetes
    coffee drinkers are more optimistic
    coffee drinkers live a longer life


    True? Who really knows, but cant hurt if you enjoy those benefits.
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    I like it. It makes me need to go poop in the morning right after breakfast, and that's mighty fine because I can't stand doing that at work!

    I don't need it to feel awake/alert or energetic though. I wake up like that!
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    Lots of people love their coffee. It's supposed to have antioxidants and whatnot. A cup or two a day is probably just fine. You all can have mine. I get heart palpitations from caffeine, so I avoid it!!! I don't drink decaffeinated either, because coffee tastes like crap anyway. I'd think the only reason people drink it is for their stimulant fix. That's why decaffeinated coffee puzzles me. What's the point of it? You don't get a buzz and it tastes like hell.
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    Decaf coffee is crap quality.

    Real, good quality coffee tastes amazing. If you think coffee tastes like crap, it's because you either made it wrong, or bought cheap, low quality coffee. Most people make coffee way too weak, which makes it much more bitter.
  • AllonsYtotheTardis
    AllonsYtotheTardis Posts: 16,947 Member
    coffee has a great deal of health benefits - me drinking it protects the lives of those around me.
  • Cranquistador
    Cranquistador Posts: 39,744 Member
    coffee has a great deal of health benefits - me drinking it protects the lives of those around me.
    ^
  • ingoiolo
    ingoiolo Posts: 104 Member
    I'm Italian, our mums give us espressos from their breasts
  • whierd
    whierd Posts: 14,025 Member
    Only drink it if it is paleo
  • CoderGal
    CoderGal Posts: 6,800 Member
    Caffeine, it can save lives (quite literally), is used as treatment sometimes:
    help babies remember to breath etc (reason my niece is alive right now)
    is associated with a reduced risk of Parkinson's disease, and use of caffeine is studied as a treatment for the Parkinson’s disease motor symptoms

    increases effectiveness of some drugs
    lower risk of heart failure
    linked with lesser chance of Alzheimers
    lower risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes
    caffine has something in it that is associated with attention, concentration, learning, and memory
    slightly boost metabolism in a minuscule way
    increased alertness and decreased fatigue
    may lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes
    may reduce the risk of developing cancer and produce a delay in the average onset of cancer
    may be a source of healthful antioxidant activity against some free radicals inside the body
    bring people together
    relaxes me

    Many of those came out of plane ol wikipedia. "The general consensus in the medical community is that moderate regular coffee drinking in healthy individuals is either essentially benign or mildly beneficial."

    But there are many articles I've seen through the years in university mentioning it. All of the things I've seen have been good other then 'copious amounts can do harm'

    Don't drink it if you don't want to. If you do drink it moderately, I don't see any harm and there's been lots of benefits.

    It can also cause problems when taken in excessive quantities. Notice how pretty much any food in the world has those effects. If you're a healthy individual and are drinking a healthy amount, I do not see the disadvantage. If you're getting a well balanced diet and eat healthy and exercise I also don't see an extensive need for it either...other then I love it.
  • QuincyChick
    QuincyChick Posts: 269 Member
    Give me coffee or give me death.
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    I don't have an alarm clock anymore, I have a Keurig brewer that goes off at 5:45 a.m. when it kicks on to warm the water.... First thing I do when I get up is stumble to the kitchen and fill my travel mug!! :drinker:
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    It's great and unless you have sensitivities to it like me you can enjoy it almost guilt and calorie free.

    Certain people with certain health issues might want to look into whether it's for them but most people can just enjoy it because it takes so much for it to be bad for you that you'd likely never drink too much. If you start hallucinating, stop. LOL.

    Me i leveled off my intake and my migraines quit. i have now been migraine free going on three years and I had quit after leveling off and am now adding it in at a steady daily dose and i'm fine and i like what it does to my energy levels, tastebuds, and potty time. I do not like what it does to my wallet. #starbucks
  • ractrev
    ractrev Posts: 426
    It is a terrible devil drink! But if you are between my pot of coffee and me in the morning, it is gonna get real ugly!!!!
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