What to think of coffee?

Would your morning be gloomy without a good cup of coffee? If so, you are among a large percentage of Westerners who fuel-up on caffeine on a daily basis. But what are we to think of this beverage? If we rely on a recently published comprehensive appraisal of numerous scientific reports, coffee consumed in moderation is probably not harmful to our health.

The most sought after and appreciated effects coffee offers is most certainly its ability to enhance our mood, along with our mental and physical performances. Consequently, consuming up to 200 milligrams of caffeine, the equivalent of nearly 16 ounces of brewed coffee, is likely to boost energy and alertness, as well as providing feelings of happiness and wellbeing.

Is coffee detrimental to bone health? It would indeed seem that caffeine slightly decreases calcium absorption. But do not fret, because simply adding one or two tablespoons of milk to your coffee can actually reverse this harmful effect. Furthermore, provided you consume the recommended amount of calcium in your diet, you need not worry about the effects of caffeine on your bones.

Is coffee a diuretic? Although this has long been thought to be the case, studies reviewed last year demonstrated that drinking a beverage containing up to 550 milligrams of caffeine does not increase the amount of urine produced by the body. Therefore, even if you drink a large serving of coffee, you will not be visiting the washroom any faster than if you drink the same amount of pure water.

Furthermore, the analysis of 10 studies of more than 400,000 participants did not reveal an increased risk of suffering from cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarctions (heart attacks), sudden death, arrhythmia and hypertension among the coffee lovers. Individuals who suffer from such diseases however should always heed the advice of their health professionals, which might include avoiding caffeine altogether.

Even though caffeine is generally not harmful to our health, we must, as with everything else, avoid consuming it in excess. For example, it is known that too much caffeine can cause irritability and stomach upset. In order to avoid these undesirable effects, it is generally suggested that we not consume more than 2 to 3 cups per day. You would like a good cup of hot java with breakfast? Well, why not!