Is Coffee Beneficial or Harmful?

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world. For many years, people were told they should avoid drinking coffee altogether because it was a harmful beverage. Now nutritional researchers are telling us that coffee actually offers health benefits to those who drink it. Because of the conflicting advice, it is hard for the average person to know whether they should give up drinking coffee altogether, or whether they should be drinking more.

Coffee is a complex blend of many ingredients, including caffeine, chromium, and magnesium. It also contains many types of antioxidants in minute quantities. The antioxidants may be responsible for some of the beneficial effects that coffee provides.

Those who claim that coffee is beneficial point to studies that say drinking more coffee leads to a lower risk of liver cancer or cirrhosis of the liver. Drinking coffee also seems to provide males with a lower risk of developing Parkinson's disease. People who drink more coffee have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, having a stroke, or developing dementia. Older people who are experiencing some of the benign forgetfulness that comes with aging may find that drinking coffee will improve their ability to concentrate for several hours after having a cup.

Those who claim that coffee is harmful to the body point out that the caffeine artificially stimulates the adrenal glands. This can lead to the adrenal glands becoming worn out after a long period of caffeine ingestion. People who decide to drink decaffeinated coffee can consume dangerous chemicals used in the decaffeinating process, unless they use coffee that is decaffeinated by the use of a water process.

When the stimulating effect of the caffeine high is over, a coffee drinker will often feel a sudden drop in mental and physical energy. This can lead them to drink more coffee, often accompanied by a sugary treat, in an effort to boost energy levels. Once the effects of the caffeine and sugar wear off a few hours later, that person's energy level will collapse again. The caffeine drinker may experience a series of highs and lows throughout the day, leading to consumption of more coffee and sweet treats.

Drinking coffee can lead to an increase in high blood pressure, and a sense of mental agitation. For some people, coffee is a substance to which they can become addicted. They cannot start their morning routines until they have their first cup of coffee. When they try to give up drinking coffee, they will suffer symptoms of withdrawal, including insomnia, headaches, and depression.

Although drinking coffee will speed up some mental processes, it does not necessarily improve the quality of thinking or decision-making experienced by the individual. Coffee is a mild diuretic, and it is possible that a person who does not replenish their fluid intake with plain water may become somewhat dehydrated because of the diuretic effect of the coffee.

It is up to each individual to decide whether the negative effects of drinking coffee are more dangerous than the positive effects that can be gained by consuming this popular beverage.