March 28, 2024

I decided that I should write a bit about coffee as I drink a lot of coffee and wanted to know a little bit more about it’s health benefits and drawbacks.

What I found was a little scary but also interesting on the good side.

Why coffee is good

First of all the good side of that morning cup of coffee and getting a coffee grinder online. There are studies that have shown that coffee can protect against Parkinsons disease as well as Alzheimers, although I am not sure that hospitals are going to start hopping up old people on caffeine to test whether they will be able to remember any better.

There is also a bit of research that shows that coffee and caffeine can help prevent Cirrhosis of the liver but also I am not sure if it is also a good idea to down a cup of coffee after a night of drinking just hoping that the coffee will help your already ailing liver.

One of the big advantages as you can imagine is the boost to the central nervous system, some bodybuilders will drink strong coffee before a workout to improve their strength and endurance during the workout and I have tried this as well, It Works.

coffee pot

Caffeine’s primary mechanism in the brain is blocking the effects of an inhibitory neurotransmitter called Adenosine.

By blocking the inhibitory effects of Adenosine, caffeine actually increases neuronal firing in the brain and the release of other neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine.

Many controlled trials have examined the effects of caffeine on the brain, demonstrating that caffeine can improve mood, reaction time, memory, vigilance and general cognitive function

Why coffee is bad

Now for the bad news.

There is some research as well on the bad side. Coffee can cause irritable Bowel Syndrome as well as heartburn and in the long term has been linked to Osteoporosis.

We know the short term downside of course, shakiness, concentration problems and and an elevated chance of a heart attack. One of the things that drives me really crazy about coffee is the caffeine crash.

I can feel a little bit like a junkie in the morning drinking a couple cups of coffee and after the energy drop an hour or so later I am looking for sugar or more coffee to try to get me going again.

One of the big problems with many people is that they replace a good breakfast with a couple of cups of coffee.

This coffee for breakfast habit means that in addition to having the elevated heart rate they are also living with a far less healthy diet than the non caffeinated people around them.

How much coffee can you drink

The Canadian government advises that people should not have more than 450 milligrams of caffeine a day which is roughly three 8 ounce cups a day also the equivalent of about 10 cans of pop.

Energy drinks are no better but a Red Bull is going to have the caffeine equivalent of about two cups of coffee and if they were any cheaper I know I could personally put away three or four a day, good thing I’m cheap and won’t pay the money for them.

Caffeine Levels of Common Drinks

Brewed coffee6ounces83
Instant coffee6ounces60
Coffee-grain blends6ounces14-37
Decaffeinated coffee6ounces3
Leaf tea6ounces41
Instant tea6ounces28
Colas and Dr Pepper12ounces40-72
Cocoa6ounces10
Chocolate1ounces5-10

There are good reasons as we see to getting unhooked from the coffee habit but it can be very difficult. The first morning or two after you stop drinking coffee you will have headaches and be very dragged out energy-wise.

The best way to combat these problems is to drink lots of water throughout the day to try to hydrate yourself and also to keep moving around if possible.

If you can increase you exercise you will have less of these bad withdrawal symptoms and before long you will find that you have more energy than you had before when you were over caffeinated.

Now maybe it is time to take my own advice.

32 thoughts on “The Good and Bad of Coffee

  1. My body by far prefers the coffee-chicory blends, such as ‘New Orleans Blend’. Coffee feels/tastes too harsh, but yet it’s the common standard.
    The coffee-chicory blend is smoother, substantially less caffeine, at least in effect, and doesn’t cause jitters.
    I always use about 1/3 cold whole milk added to a steaming/boiling hot brew of the coffee or coffee-chicory brew, for a perfect hot drinking temperature.
    The blend of the coffee-chicory brew with the milk has a wonderful lite chocolatey-ness about it.

  2. I recently got a coffee percolator, mostly to use on camping trips, but I have found myself occasionally using it in the mornings instead of the coffee pot. For some reason, I feel like it might be a tad healthier? Perhaps it is wishful thinking. I have around 4 cups a day.

  3. drink organic coffee…the jitters and shakes and high elevated heat rates etc..I think are from all the herbicides, pesticides and whatever chemical fertilizer they use. Its known that coffee is the most sprayed. I drink organic coffee, dont get any bad side affects. And if I don’t drink it, I have no withdrawal symptoms. And I drink espresso, about 2-3 demi cups per day, sometimes with soya, or almond milk, or alone. For me its a nice treat to have during the day or first thing in the morn. And yes I have breakfast.

    1. those machines do not use quality coffee in the serve packs, and they artificially flavor them. Not to mention the water surges through the coffee in the PLASTIC single use coffee paquet. I’m not surprised you don’t enjoy the taste. My favorite brews are with Melita cone and filter, french presses, stovetop espresso – vialetti italian press

      Good luck on making good coffee!

  4. I live in a hot country. I drink a glass of ice coffee almost every day. I’m so slim. Actually our traditional foods just make us slim. I drink coffee to feel good, but I really dont know how bad it can influence on my health.

  5. I, too, love coffee, BUT I know that less is better for my health. Always drink two waters to every one coffee — no soda!!!! Ever!! High fructose corn syrup is killing America with obesity and diabetes. Caffeine can help start you, but water will sustain you; stay with water; forget sodas and sport drinks. Your body will thank you instantly and over the long run.

  6. hey lulu your wrong sucker, red bull is very bad. At once you feel good, but at last youll be weakened.
    i just wanted to tell you that your just a stuck up little prig.
    YOU THINK YOUR SELF A SMART, BUT YOU AINT.

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