Is Coffee Good For You Or Bad For You?
Coffee is a big part of the culture here in America and you can hardly go out on a weekday morning without seeing long lines of people in the coffee shops looking to get their caffeine fix for the day. It’s not uncommon for people to drink coffee regularly and in other countries (france, italy) coffee is practically a religion. Many people enjoy the get-up-and-go feeling they get from drinking coffee and others simply like the taste and aroma as a nice way to start the day. People in the medical profession can testify to the help that coffee can be when working long hours and graveyard shifts but for others it may just be a simple treat to indulge in.
However it’s important to ask whether or not coffee is even good for us to drink. Many people add a lot of sweeteners in theirs or have it made entirely with milk which can be pretty unhealthy at times and lots of the new coffee drinks are made with caramel, mocha syrup, sweeteners, whipped cream and so forth which only adds to the problem. Having coffee this way can be pretty bad for your health, especially if you get addicted to it and are drinking two or three sugary drinks a day. The caffeine itself is also a concern for some people because it is mildly addictive and can cause problems when you stop drinking it that are similar to withdrawal symptoms. It can also trigger heartburn, cause dehydration, and give you problems sleeping. There is also some research that shows that it may contribute to increased risk of heart disease and heart rhythm problems as well as raising cholesterol levels, affecting blood vessel function, and can increase the risk of osteoporosis.
However on the other hand coffee is rich in antioxidants and can prevent premature aging. It can also stave off diabetes and Parkinson's disease as well as protecting against liver cirrhosis. There’s also some evidence that show that coffee lowers the risk of kidney stones and gallstones and can prevent Alzheimer's and even temper the effects of asthma for some people. Plus most people see the general alertness and awareness that you get from coffee as a bonus and caffeine, for the most part is considered to be safe.
There is a lot of controversy when it comes to coffee and most people aren’t really sure where the research stands at this point. It can be confusing and difficult to figure out what is and isn’t good for you in the world of coffee but when in doubt moderation is always best. If you drink coffee is best to stick to just a few cups a week. One a day can be excessive and easily additive. Make sure you drink plenty of water with it to prevent getting dehydrated and try to only drink it in the mornings so that it has time to pass through your system before you go to sleep. Also be sure not to drink coffee that is loaded with sugar. If you can stick to those guidelines you should be just fine.