The Pros And Cons Of Coffee On Your Health

In the UK, we drink around 70 million cups of coffee every day, but while it may be a great way to start the morning how does it affect our health? Studies have shown that coffee drinkers are less likely to have type 2 diabetes and Parkinson’s disease, as well as fewer cases of certain cancers and strokes. Once deemed a bad addition to healthy diets, it is now thought that around four to five cups a day can actually help to form a balance diet.

The research that has been carried out on this subject is based around those who drink coffee, and is based on their specific habits. It is possible, of course, that coffee drinkers have other advantages that help them to have a reduced risk of health problems, such as better diets or simply better genes, but while there is not specific proof that coffee is good for you, there have been studied carried out into certain ailments.

Type 2 diabetes

Evidence has shown that coffee could possess protective qualities when it comes to developing type 2 diabetes, with around three cups of tea or coffee a day being enough to reduce your risk by up to 42 percent. It has also been proven that coffee can help you to reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease

Coffee may actually be protection against Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimers, reducing your risk by up to a quarter. Drinking just two to three cups a day can help to protect you from these diseases, with coffee being a great way to reduce cognitive decline.

Cancer

Although the evidence for coffee as a cancer preventive than that of type 2 diabetes, it has been shown to be consistent for liver cancer. High coffee consumption has been linked to a reduced risk of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, though scientists are still unsure how this works.

Blood pressure

A known stimulant, coffee can affect us differently depending on how much we consume. It has been known to increase blood pressure temporarily, although no scientific proof has yet been gathered. It is thought that the effects on blood pressure are probably related to excessive quantities, but people who are hypertensive are advised to limit their intake of coffee.

Osteoporosis

Surprisingly, caffeine has been linked to calcium excretion which causes brittle bones. As many as eight cups of coffee a day can cause an imbalance between calcium intake and calcium loss, which ups the risk factor for osteoporosis.

Calories, heartburn and urine

Heartburn is made worse by coffee, both regular and decaffeinated varieties, as well as making you need to urinate more due to coffee being a mild diuretic.

Coffee and exercise

Studies have shown that coffee may be provide a boost to your workout – evidence suggests that just 3mg of coffee for every kilo of body weight, one hour before your exercise, can help to boost your energy levels helping you to work harder.

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