Coffee has been a medical whipping boy for so long that it may come as a surprise that recent research suggests that drinking moderate amounts of coffee (two to four cups per day) provides a wide range of health benefits. Most of these benefits have been identified through statistical studies that track a large group of subjects over the course of years and match incidence of various diseases with individual habits, like drinking coffee, meanwhile controlling for other variables that may influence that relationship.

 

According to a spate of such recent studies moderate coffee drinking may lower
the risk of:
1. colon cancer by about 25%,
2. gallstones by 45%,
3. cirrhosis of the liver by 80%, and
4. Parkinson's disease by 50% to as much as 80%.
5. asthma attacks by  25%
6. lower the risk of type II diabetes
 
In addition, some studies have indicated that coffee contains four times the amount of cancer-fighting anti-oxidants as green tea.

 

While some of the evidence, particularly in the diabetes studies, seems to show that the more coffee the better, excessive coffee and caffeine intake is not risk free. Not only can the caffeine in coffee keep you up at night and the jitters, it can increase calcium losses through the urine and may reduce a woman’s change of getting pregnant.

 

But it does appear that the benefits of drinking coffee outweigh the risk-which is good news for coffee lovers.

 

Before adding or decreasing any component of your diet, it’s always a good idea to ask your doctor.  And if you need help to find a doctor, call our Physician Referral Line. Trained, friendly and professional counselors can help you find the physician best suited to you.

 

Call 847-933-6000.