HOORAY FOR COFFEE!

I’ve always felt a tad guilty about my coffee habit. It began in medical school and, at its worst, this habit had me brewing two pots of coffee a day to keep me at my most alert and energetic. These days I have 2 cups by lunch, and by cups I mean big mugs I can wrap both hands around!

 

Now new evidence shows those cups are doing more than just keep me sharp and ready for what the day brings. It could be protecting my heart, my hormonal and neurologic systems and even any tendency toward depression and suicide.

 

Sound too good to be true?

 

It actually isn’t! The American Heart Association released results from a large study that confirms what several smaller studies have suggested in the past: Compounds in coffee as well as its caffeine content affect several pathways in our bodies favorably.

 

HOW SO?

 

Coffee decreases inflammation in the body – a cause of many chronic illnesses such as arthritis, vascular disease and dementia.

 

Coffee keeps blood sugar levels stable and lowers insulin resistance, making the development of Type 2 Diabetes less likely.

 

Coffee turns out to be America’s #1 source of antioxidants – not sure I think we should necessarily be proud of this– antioxidants that decrease our chances of chronic neurologic diseases (Parkinson’s) and multiple forms of cancer.

 

Coffee lowers your overall risk of dying from heart disease!

 

These benefits extend to DECAF coffee as well! – reminding us it’s not all about caffeine – but the naturally occurring compounds in the coffee bean (like melanoidins, chlorogenic acids (CGAs) and diterpines.)

 

 

Another link I found MOST interesting: Drinking at least one cup of coffee a day decreases your lifetime risk of suicide between 20 and 35%! The factors behind suicide risk are so complex, both genetically and environmentally, that the reason behind this is very murky. A lot more research is needed in this area – for instance looking at lifestyle, education levels, socioeconomics and employment history – why this link between coffee and suicide?

 

 

SO HOW MUCH IS GOOD FOR US?

 

MODERATE coffee intake is where the benefits lay– that’s up to 5 cups a day! For coffee lovers everywhere this is music to our ears.

 

One caveat, however, if you take lots of creamer or sugar with each cup of coffee. Those extra calories could be affecting your weight and insulin resistance. That would possibly negate the coffee’s benefits! Moderation everywhere. And of course an unhealthy habit like smoking negates the benefits of moderate coffee intake.

 

This is a quality study, including both men and women with data from decades of follow-up. It’s the largest of its kind to date and it does confirm what several smaller studies have suggested in the past. This still not proof of causation but the link is undeniable.

 

Afternoon slump making you want a jolt of caffeine? Go for the coffee instead of the diet soda or sugar laden drinks. Feel like the caffeine gives you jitters? Choose decaf because we know the benefits are still there!

 

 

It may not be considered a “plant” – but the coffee bean comes from the ground as nature intended. Let it be part of your daily well balanced diet if you like it as much as I do!

 

 

One less thing for this working mom to feel guilty about – enjoying my daily coffee!