Is Coffee Good or Bad for your Health?
Friday, July 25th, 2008A few weeks ago I went to
Even now, weeks later, I fancied a coffee during the day, which is something I almost never do. So today my friends and I sat in the lovely sun and drank frappuccinos…mmm.
Coffee is many people’s drug of choice…in fact I have several friends who claim that coffee is the key to their success! It can make you more productive and creative.
Generally, I have a coffee about once a month (unless I have just been to a festival) in order to stay awake at night. I love the fact that because I don’t drink coffee, it gives me such a rush. I drink it if I am feeling tired but want to stay up late dancing or hanging out with friends. It not only wakes me up, it puts me in a super good mood and makes me excited about everything.
However, I know that when I drink coffee more often, and especially if I drink it during the day, I can feel jittery and anxious. I feel that I might lose my mind and sick to my stomach.
Of course, like any drug, if you do it everyday, and especially multiple times per day like many people, the effects are lessened.
Coffee: Health Enhancer or Destroyer?
Recently I have heard research that coffee prevents diabetes and off sets the risk of heart disease caused by other vices such as smoking. There was even a recent study which showed that women who drank coffee cut their risk of colon cancer in half.
On the other hand, there are many other doctors and nutritionists that I trust who are convinced that coffee is not so good for you.
Some studies report that coffee raises the adrenaline levels and that heavy consumption causes adrenal gland exhaustion, which can lead to lowered immune system, anxiety and panic attacks, increased allergies, and chronic fatigue (which of course makes the person dependent on coffee for a boost.)
There is research showing that coffee raises blood pressure and causes the heart to pump harder.
Some scientists and doctors say that coffee has organic acids that raise your blood sugar and insulin, which causes a variety of health disasters, including inflammation and weight gain. It is said that heavy coffee drinkers that give up coffee can shed up to 10 pounds without making any other changes.
Although I am qualified in nutrition and natural therapies, I am not a scientist. Therefore, I don’t know for sure which of these two conflicting theories about coffee is correct.
However, logic tells me that the symptoms I have from coffee as an occasional user are not the symptoms I would hope to get from something that was seriously good for me.
I also have clients and friends that have experienced improved health when they gave up coffee.
The fact that heart disease, cancer and diabetes are so rampant in this world where coffee is so popular makes me question just how powerful its benefits are.
Further, when people are addicted to coffee and can’t live without it, then like any addiction, it is keeping them from enjoying optimum health.
For now, the jury is out on whether coffee is health enhancing or destroying. Personally, I am happy to enjoy its effects every now and again when I want to dance the night away, and avoid it on a daily basis.
If you are a regular coffee drinker, it might be an idea to give it up and see how you feel. I would certainly recommend this to all coffee addicts! Here are some tips for giving up:
1. Switch to herbal tea. Green tea in particular will give you that caffeine hit, but without any of the supposed side effects. It is also a powerful antioxidant.
2. Try a coffee substitute such as Teeccino or Chicory. You can buy them at a health food shop, and they are a mixture of nuts seeds, grains and spices that supposedly taste like coffee. (I have never personally tried them because I am not looking for a coffee replacement, but they have helped a few of my clients and friends give up.)
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