The health benefits of coffee? Are you dreaming? Nope, you’re awake (but you might need another cup of coffee). There are some things we hate to love. And some we love to hate. Coffee is both.
People talk about the evils of coffee in the same way they talk about addictions to meth or cocaine (or the so-called evils of sugar). But let’s play devil’s advocate for a minute and ask the question: “Is coffee healthy?”
I once believed that myth and quit drinking coffee completely for a couple of years. Now I drink coffee every day. Because I’m a hopeless addict? No. Because I sifted through the hype and learned about the health benefits of coffee.
The Health Benefits of Coffee
So, is coffee healthy? It can be. The benefits of coffee are very real. And some are pretty cool. So here’s a list of potential coffee benefits I’ve discovered in my research:
- Coffee is nutritious! It contains a lot of magnesium and B vitamins essential to our health and well being. I firmly believe it’s best to get nutrients from food sources if possible (supplements can be problematic for a variety of reasons), so coffee fits right into that equation.
- I don’t like cancer. Drinking coffee every day is linked to a 25 percent lower endometrial cancer risk in women. Plus women who drink coffee daily are far less at risk for certain types of breast cancer (like up to 57 percent less!). More studies have shown coffee’s protective effects against skin cancer and colon cancer.
- I do like my liver, and coffee may protect your liver. Studies show people who drink caffeinated coffee have lower markers of liver disease.
- Thyroid health is paramount if you want to be healthy and feel well, and some research suggests coffee may play a key role in protecting you from thyroid disease.
- Coffee can inhibit iron absorption, which can protect against various health problems associated with high iron. This can be one of the big coffee benefits for men and menopausal women. This benefit works best when consuming coffee with a meal.
- Coffee drinkers are less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease, and coffee can help reduce symptoms in current Parkinson’s patients.
But truth be told, the health benefits of coffee aren’t the only reason I indulge my java habit. Here are even more reasons I love drinking coffee every day…
#1 – Coffee is an excellent medium for other nutritious foods. I drink my coffee with a full serving of real milk and a healthy dose of my favorite collagen protein powder (read more about the benefits of collagen here).
Getting plenty of protein is a must for me, so it’s a great way to start my morning. I sometimes also throw in a spoonful of coconut oil, which can help with managing weight, clearing up acne and a whole lot more. Get my full “secret” coffee smoothie recipe HERE.
#2 – It smells fantastic! Very few people I’ve met have told me they don’t love the aroma of fresh-brewed coffee. Forget air freshener. Just brew me a cup of joe. And yeah, this might not be one of the coffee benefits that drastically affects my health – but for me it totally counts.
So… is coffee healthy for everyone? No.
Of course, there are two sides to every story, even this one. Instead of just asking, “Is coffee healthy?” maybe we should be asking, “Can I include coffee in my diet in a healthy way?”
Because the honest answer is: not everyone can. Just because we’re talking about the health benefits of coffee doesn’t mean it’s healthy for everyone all the time. Some people may feel seriously anxious after just one cup of coffee. Others find coffee affects their sleep negatively. Others are using coffee to help them cope with sleep problems and a stressful lifestyle – both of which probably need to be dealt with on their own (and coffee might be covering up the problem).
(If you experience coffee anxiety or jitters, following my tips HERE might help.)
As always, I recommend doing your own research and listening to your body when it comes to coffee–or food, exercise, and pretty much everything else in life! Some people do really well on coffee, and others don’t. It pays to know what works for you.
Do you drink coffee? Do you believe in the benefits of coffee, or is it not for you? Let me know what you think in the comments below!
MORE ARTICLES ON HEALTHY FOOD:
- How much protein do you really need every day?
- The Health Benefits of Magnesium and a List of Foods High in Magnesium
- Why I Eat Raw Egg Yolks Everyday
- Craving Peanut Butter? Learn The Root Cause
- 10 Foods That Affect the Thyroid for Better or Worse
- 10 Reasons Why I Love Butter
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References:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2816215
http://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/20110513
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/08/120801165353.htm
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/02/really-drinking-coffee-lowers-colon-cancer-risk/
Robin Lelani says
Thanks for this informative post. I LOVE coffee, and drink it daily! I’m even happier since I bought a $70.00 Cappuccino/ Espresso maker for $14.99 from Aldi! Raising my cup to my fellow coffeeholics lol!
Elizabeth Walling says
Thanks, Robin, glad you enjoyed the post! What a steal on that cappuccino maker! I wish I had an Aldi around here.
crystal says
how do u make the gelatin protein?
Elizabeth Walling says
I buy it in powdered form, either regular gelatin or hydrolyzed collagen (which dissolves in hot and cold liquids).
Donna says
Interesting to me that you mentioned Magnesium benefits. I have noticed that I crave foods high in this and I really crave coffee. I did not know it was high in this mineral that I seem to need so much. So many people throw the baby out with the bath water and then feel a righteous indignation that they don’t drink coffee. They do this with a lot of foods and actually whole food groups. I did it too for years and now I realize that there are benefits that can often be overlooked and have found my balance. I really enjoy your writing. Mostly I enjoy your insights. You are a leading edger for sure. Keep up the good work. I appreciate it!
Elizabeth Walling says
Thanks, Donna! For a few years, I also thought coffee was just plain bad, and didn’t know there were any benefits to drinking coffee at all–funny, no one ever mentioned the many studies that show coffee drinkers experience health benefits! Of course, there are always two sides to a story, but I do think it’s important to look at all the information and gauge how your own body reacts before deciding what works for you and what doesn’t.
Elizabeth says
My Dr. said no coffee for me and I miss it. He also put me on gluten ,dairy and soy free diet He told me the body thinks its gluten . He has a video and its on his website explaining how and why . His name is David Clark and u can find him by just typing in his name on the Internet . He’s a very smart man hes a brain doctor and couple other degrees in other things including nutritionist . Would love to be able to drink coffee again What do I think about me drinking coffee again ? I know. I started drinking it again ,and I got all swollen up and I gained ten i pounds in two weeks from doing It again . And it took me one year to lose that ten pounds. Very discouraging ! 8-(
kristin says
What brands or kind of coffee do you buy? I am super new to coffee and know very little. I am a tea drinker 🙂 but I love coffee, too. I know you should buy organic, not to buy blends, because of low quality of the bean, it is important about how it is roasted and something about mold… Lol. Told you I don’t know much. My brother is a coffee drinker and likes bullet proof coffee. It is kinda expensive, I know it is good stuff though, I’ve tasted it. Anyway, would appreciate some advice, Thanks!
Elizabeth Walling says
My biggest concerns personally are organic and fair-trade when it comes to coffee. Anything else is just icing on the cake in my opinion. 🙂
Katharine says
Alzheimers Disease too I’ve heard!
Karen Vaughan, L.Ac. says
I adore coffee and there is even more evidence of its anti-inflammatory properties. But there is one big caveat. People who don’t do well on it don’t tend to stay in the studies to the end. And it is impossible to make a coffee placebo! So listen to your body and don’t abuse it.
http://www.acupuncturebrooklyn.com/articles-by-karen-vaughan/coffee-herbs
Elizabeth Walling says
Great point! I agree–above all, listen to your body!
Carol says
There is also the social side. Connecting with family and friends is mentally and emotionally healthy. Coffee is a great way to connect one on one or as a group.
Elizabeth Walling says
Definitely, that’s a good point! I love hanging out over a good cup of coffee. 😀
Lynne L says
I love love coffee! However, I can’t have caffeine past 7:30PM so if I have a cup in the evening, it has to be decaf (preferably Swiss water processed & from good quality beans). Also, if you drink tooo much coffee, it can raise your blood pressure, so I would watch the intake if you have any BP issues. I speak from experience here. Happy drinking!
Margo says
This is very interesting, thanks for this post! I’ve been off coffee for about 2 weeks and I still get headaches. I’ve replaced it with green tea. I have fibromyalgia so I’ve read countless places not to drink it. But I may try to have jus one cup a day and see how I do. I love it blended with some grass-fed ghee! High altitude, South American organic fair trade coffee has the lowest instance of mold for those wondering (info from the Bullettproof guy!).
Elizabeth Walling says
Let me know how it goes, Margo! Green tea has a lot of benefits as well, so it’s not a bad replacement. But if you’re used to drinking a lot of coffee, cutting it out cold turkey can be brutal.
linda says
I use my Nespresso machine and use one of their decaf capsules as well as one of the regular caps and press each of them three times to get a large mug of coffee filled with heavy cream. I just ordered the liquid for the bullet-proof coffee. I hope I like that. Thanks for all your info.
Nata says
Everything in moderation! I used to drink 3 cups of coffee a day and started to notice that my skin looked ruddy. I have reduced my intake to 1-11/2 cups of organic black coffee a day and not have any caffeine once or twice a week (usually just once:) I also started my morning by drinking a LARGE glass of room temp. water before my coffee to keep my body hydrated. Water makes all the difference! Great article on coffee & thyroid btw.
Elizabeth Walling says
Thanks, Nata! I agree–moderation can make all the difference. I’ve been drinking organic 1/2 caffeine coffee 3x per day, and I feel much better on it than on regular coffee.
Diane Neff says
I’ve also read that it leads to a lower risk of Alzheimers disease! I used to ward off coffee, too, now it’s my daily morning ritual. All things in moderation, right!
Janis says
Non-organic coffee is one of the most dangerous thing you can indulge, because it is number one with grapes/raisins to carry the most amount of pesticides. These poisonous substance causes (and are stored in our body) all kind of diseases, from cancer to neurological diseases. So it does not matter if you try to avoid diseases and increase your health with coffee if its not organic. Otherwise you are doing the opposite.
Lisa says
AMEN sister !
I keep reading about the health benefits of coffee, organic or not:-)
I say everything in moderation ( except coffee:-)
I did hear that milk in coffee cuts the benefits & I wanted to get more coconut oil in my diet, so I use about a T of coconut oil .
afternoons I drink tea :green , black , mixed.. it’s all good.
Tea with a sprinkle of turmeric & ginger , great benefits 🙂
Also water with a big squirt of lemon , gets your body energized.
Kristina Wilson says
Intriguing to me that you specified Magnesium advantages. I have seen that I hunger for nourishment high in this and I truly pine for espresso. I didn’t have any acquaintance with it was high in this mineral that I appear to need to such an extent. Such a variety of individuals toss the child out with the shower water and after that vibe a noble anger that they don’t drink espresso. They do this with a considerable measure of nourishment and entirely nutrition classes. I did it too for a considerable length of time and now I understand that there are advantages that can regularly be disregarded and have discovered my parity. I truly make the most of your written work. For the most part I make the most of your bits of knowledge. You are a main edger without a doubt. Keep doing awesome. I welcome it!
Kristina Wilson says
I do trust the body should be in a better than average metabolic state to handle the caffeine in espresso. Utilizing caffeine as a prop to pardon not eating enough, not resting enough, working excessively, or practicing a lot of is unquestionably not useful for anybody’s well being. What’s more, shockingly many individuals use espresso along these lines.
At the point when espresso is utilized with the backing of a decent eating regimen, sensible activity, and sound way of life propensities (i.e. getting enough rest, not exhausting yourself, and so forth.), then you can truly profit. It’s positively not the response to extraordinary well being all by itself.
Elizabeth Walling says
I completely agree. Coffee or espresso can work in harmony with a healthy lifestyle, but it definitely can’t make up for not taking care of yourself mentally and physically (and could make it worse).
Raymond Cooper says
I thought it was cool to learn that coffee is nutritious and has a lot of B vitamins. You make a good point how getting your B vitamins from foods instead of supplements can also be healthier. I wouldn’t mind drinking a cup of coffee per day to help get more B vitamins in my diet.
Mark Murphy says
I never knew that coffee has actually been shown to prevent thyroid disease. My wife’s family has a long history of weak immune systems, and my wife is trying to find ways to take better care of her body. I will be sure to tell my wife that she should try and drink more coffee to take care of her thyroid!