Coffee, friend or foe?
Coffee: Is It Good for You or Not?
The world is powered by coffee. Around two billion cups of the caffeinated beverage are consumed every day, all over the world. Whether it’s part of your morning routine, you need it for a pick-me-up, or you just love the taste, there’s no denying that we’re hooked. Despite the planet’s addiction, coffee is often described as a ‘bad food’ – anyone on a clean eating diet ditches it completely, and people are always trying to restrict themselves from reaching for another cup. In the midst of so many anti-coffee campaigns, other people boast of its many benefits. But is coffee actually good for you? What about the potential health risks? Let’s explore.
The Pros and Cons
Answering “Is coffee good for you?” isn’t as easy as just saying yes or no. As a drink, it does have some health benefits. Coffee is known for keeping you alert – we all know how a flat white can perk us up after a late night – and this energy is good for brain function. A recent study has shown that drinking three cups has been linked to clearing out your arteries, which is good news. Also, one small cup contains around 387mg of antioxidants, which is more than in green tea or in red wine. But just like red wine, while there are confirmed health benefits, over-consumption can lead to some severe health problems. A small glass of Merlot with dinner can be hugely beneficial – but if you’re drinking the whole bottle, not so much. The same principle applies to coffee.
Coffee is dehydrating, which we all know is bad news. Hydration means clearer skin, faster metabolism and ditching that sluggish feeling, so anything that counteracts that is far from ideal. Likewise, coffee can make your adrenal glands work extra hard. Studies have also shown that the negative side effects of coffee can depend on your genes. Caffeine works by metabolising an enzyme in your liver that’s encoded by the CYP1A2 gene. However, half the population have an SNP (each SNP represents a difference in a single DNA building block) in this gene, which leads to the slow processing of caffeine. This can lead to a higher risk of heart disease, hypertension and impaired fasting glucose, contradicting the earlier good news about arteries. With that in mind, coffee has been proven to reduce the risk of diseases like Parkinson’s – it’s so tricky to know where to stand.
Latte, Americano, Frappuccino: How to Drink It
Ideally, every cup of coffee would be drunk at sunrise on the balcony of a beautiful villa in Southern France – but that’s not always realistic. The most important part of how to drink your coffee comes from what you put in it. It can be tempting to grab a sugary, chocolate-covered mocha on your commute to work, but that’s where you run into dangerous territory. Not only is having too much sugar linked to obesity and heart problems, but you can also get a sugar crash as well as a caffeine crash – the last thing you want when you go into your third meeting of the morning. Black coffee is the best option, but if you aren’t so keen on the bitterness, add a splash of nut, oat, or organic cow’s milk.
Drinking coffee with a meal is advised, as on an empty stomach, it can be acidifying. Sipping your first cup of the day alongside a healthy breakfast is a great idea, and having some food to absorb it also stops caffeine crashes. If you’re fasting and don’t eat breakfast, add some healthy fat – we’re talking ghee, coconut oil, or full-fat cream – to help digestion. To offset the dehydration, have a glass of water after finishing your coffee.
Early Morning or Mid-Afternoon: When to Drink It
What time do you usually reach for your first cup of coffee? Many people claim that they can’t wake up properly without a cup of joe, so if you’ve integrated it into your morning ritual, you aren’t alone. However, I suggest waiting 2 hours after first waking up before you consume your first coffee to give your hormones a chance to start moving. It’s also a good idea not to drink coffee in the evening, as it can keep you awake. Given that the half-life of caffeine is between 5-6 hours, it can take up to 12 hours to be completely out of your body. So, if you’re very sensitive to caffeine or have difficulty sleeping, this should also rule out mid-afternoon consumption. Anything that disrupts you from your beauty sleep is never a good idea!
To Sum It Up in a Cup
Deciding whether coffee is good or not depends on so many different factors, from diet and weight to age and lifestyle and, of course, your genes. Its advantages, such as antioxidants and increased alertness, can be overshadowed by dehydration and potential adrenal damage. The important thing to remember is that moderation is key. One mug of black coffee can be hugely beneficial but drinking them all day, every day, can increase the risk of negative aspects. If your coffee consumption is excessive, cutting down slowly and switching to lower caffeine options, like green tea, is the best route to go – and there are some gorgeous decaffeinated coffees available if you’re hooked on the taste. In our Western culture, which is obsessed with regimented dietary rules, it’s crucial to remember to listen to your body and do what feels right.
If you’re struggling to cut down on caffeine, need some tips, or are looking to re-think your entire diet, contact me here for friendly, bespoke help that works with your body’s needs.
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