Caffeine: The Good and the Bad

By Brooke Strickland
Writer for FEP International

Iced or hot, blended, or black, coffee is known for not only its diverse range of brews, distinct aroma, and rich flavor, but also its energy boosting ability. As of late, coffee has been the subject of numerous health-related studies. The beverage has been proven to supply health benefits that were previously not recognized or acknowledged. WebMD reports that at least six studies indicate that people who drink coffee on a regular basis are up to 80% less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease. Other research shows that consuming at least two cups daily can translate to a 25% reduced risk of colon cancer, an 80% drop in liver cirrhosis risk, and nearly half the risk of gall stones. In addition, coffee contains a diverse range of antioxidants that can help control cell damage that often contributes to Type 2 diabetes. While coffee is no substitute for fruits and vegetables, researchers at The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that a typical serving of coffee contains more antioxidants than typical servings of blueberries, raspberries, oranges, and grape juice.

Even though there are a lot of benefits to drinking this rich beverage, there are also some negative factors. Too much of anything is never good, especially when it comes to caffeine. It can make you jittery, less focused, and cause your heart to race. This latter fact has been proven through a recent study showed that those who drink a lot of coffee but do not follow a Mediterranean-style diet (a diet rich in whole grains, olive oil, fruits, veggies, and fish) are more likely to have atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation results in an irregular heartbeat that may occur in episodes that last from minutes to weeks. Some of its side effects can include fainting, chest pain, congestive heart failure, shortness of breath, and palpitations [1].

The findings, presented at the European Society of Cardiology, showed that patients who had been recently diagnosed with the heart condition to supply information on their dietary habits, with primary focus on their consumption of caffeine. Results showed that those with atrial fibrillation were less likely to follow the Mediterranean diet, than those without the heart condition. In addition, the heaviest coffee drinkers were also more apt to have atrial fibrillation than those who drank less.

The key really lies in moderation. Coffee can be good for you, as long as you balance it with a healthy diet that is loaded in fresh fruits, vegetables, exercise, while increasing your intake of fish, and decreasing your intake of red meats. So go ahead. Enjoy a sip, and take a coffee break.

References

[1] Caffeine Without Healthy Diet Linked to Heart Risk. USA Today. Accessed on the Web. September 3, 2009. http://www.healthscout.com/news/68/630597/main.html