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Coffee and Health: How Much Should You Be Drinking?

Is drinking coffee good for you? Are you going to be addicted to it? As a coffee drinker, you’ve come a long way and have tried different varieties, from Frappuccinos to cold brews, oat milk lattes, etc. Some people are sensible about coffee while others have to do some rituals. With just the right amount, it can help in improving your mood. But too much can make you feel jittery and anxious.

Is Drinking Coffee Good for You?

Absolutely! Coffee seems to have a good effect on most people as long as they drink it in moderation. It is recommended that you should drink at least three to five cups, which is equivalent to approximately 400 milligrams of caffeine. Based on the study of Erikka Loftfield from the National Cancer Institute in the US, there is consistent evidence that coffee can likely result in a lower risk of mortality.

For several years now, coffee was considered a potential carcinogen. However, the 2015 Dietary Guidelines have helped in changing its perspective. Drinking coffee moderately became a part of a healthy diet. Researchers believe that the benefit of coffee comes from polyphenols since these compounds include antioxidant properties.

In 2017, a review of human health and coffee consumption published in the British Medical Journal revealed that most often coffee is more beneficial rather than harmful. The authors examined over 200 reviews of prior studies and found out that people who drink coffee moderately had less incidence of cardiovascular disease, and untimely death from different causes such as stroke and heart attack, than those who are not coffee drinkers.

Additionally, experts believe that some of its powerful protective effects might be associated with Parkinson’s disease, Type 2 diabetes, and liver conditions including liver cancer, cirrhosis, and chronic liver disease.

For instance, consuming five cups of coffee a day rather than having none can result in a 30% decreased risk of having Type 2 diabetes, based on the meta-analysis of 30 studies. Dr. Giuseppe Grosso, who is the lead author of the Annual Review of Nutrition, believed that the potential benefit might be due to the polyphenols found in coffee since they have antioxidant properties.

However, it is important to consider that coffee is not for everyone. There might be some side effects of its overconsumption. This is a fact for expecting mothers since there are still some uncertainties about the safety of caffeine during pregnancy.

However, there is still ongoing research about coffee’s impact on health. According to a professor at the University of Edinburgh, Jonathan Fallowfield, it is still uncertain if coffee is actually the cause of these health benefits. Perhaps these findings are related to other factors of behaviors that are practiced by coffee drinkers.

Is There a Difference in How Coffee is Prepared?

16oz Chocolate Macadamia Nuts (Dark or Milk) - Enjoy a generous 16oz pack of delightful chocolate-covered macadamia nuts, available in dark or milk chocolate. Definitely! Do you want to have a robusta or arabica? Which would you prefer, a fine or coarse grind? Light or dark roast? According to Neal Freedman from the National Cancer Institute, these factors do not only affect its taste but also the compounds within the coffee.

However, it is still unclear how these various levels of compounds can affect your health. For instance, roasting can decrease the number of chlorogenic acids, however, there are other antioxidant compounds that are produced. The highest concentration of most compounds can be found in espresso since it contains less water than drip coffee.

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine involving nearly 500,000 individuals in the UK found that the amount of coffee consumed, whether it was decaffeinated or regular, and an individual's metabolism rate had no significant impact on the results. They found out that it can help in reducing the risk of death from various causes. However, the evidence for instant coffee is weaker.

Additionally, the method of preparing your coffee could impact your cholesterol levels as well. However, according to the co-author of the JAMA Internal Medicine study, Marilyn Cornelis, there is one coffee that is not suitable, and this is boiled coffee.

This includes Greek, Scandinavian, Turkish coffee, and other types of coffee that are consumed in the Middle East. The oil within the boiled coffee includes compounds known as diterpenes. They discovered that it could increase the bad cholesterol or LDL, and slightly decrease the good cholesterol or HDL.

A professor at the National University of Singapore, Rob van Dam, suggests that filtering coffee can prevent any issues. However, those with cholesterol concerns are advised to choose other types of coffee. Van Dam has conducted extensive studies on coffee and consumed a significant amount himself.

However, other researchers suggest that the recent findings linking slight increases in cholesterol levels to boiled coffee should not be taken as definitive as they do not necessarily indicate an increase in cardiovascular deaths.

Most people have also switched to coffee pods instead of loose grounds. While there are environmental issues with single-use pods, researchers assume that it has the same benefits as drip coffee. This can also be applicable to cold brew; however, it still requires more research.

Do All Types of Coffee Have the Same Caffeine Content?

Not all types of coffee have the same caffeine content. Espresso has the highest concentration of caffeine, with one shot containing around 70 milligrams. Drip coffee, on the other hand, typically has 200 milligrams of caffeine per 350ml serving, while instant coffee has 140 milligrams. Decaffeinated coffee has the least amount of caffeine, at around eight milligrams. This means that the amount of caffeine in coffee can vary greatly. That is why when consuming coffee, you will never know what you’re going to get.

Is Drinking Coffee Addictive?

Drinking coffee may lead to a reliance or tolerance over time. Withdrawal symptoms, such as fatigue, depressed mood, headaches, difficulty concentrating, and irritability, may occur if one stops consuming coffee. Caffeine, the active ingredient in coffee, is considered a psychoactive drug. It is quickly absorbed by the body, typically within 30 minutes of consumption, and can improve mood, alertness, concentration, energy, and athletic performance. However, it takes about 4-6 hours for the body to metabolize the caffeine.

For those who are consuming more than 400 milligrams of caffeine each day, there is insufficient evidence to prove its safety, based on Dietary Guidelines. Keep in mind that too many doses can result in caffeine intoxication, along with inconsistent heartbeat, nervousness, and shakiness. Caffeine can also delay the time it takes for you to feel sleepy.

Based on current research, the amount of caffeine that is safe for pregnant women is not yet determined, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.  Although some doctors suggest that pregnant women should consume below 200 milligrams of caffeine a day. Keep in mind that it is too dangerous to consume too many doses of caffeine. However, researchers reveal that this can likely occur with caffeine pills or powder. According to van Dam, we haven’t seen several people being brought to the emergency room just because they have consumed a lot of coffee.

If you want to experience the best coffee, then try Dr. Paulo’s Kona Coffee. For more details about our products, you can call us at 808-333-1959 or send us an email at drpaulosfarms@gmail.com.
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