Coffee, good or bad?

“Coffee, the favorite drink of the civilized world” – Thomas Jefferson

Someone commented on a reel, asking me if coffee is allowed in autoimmune diseases, because she read that it is pro-inflammatory. I answered: “coffee is controversial, some raise it to glory, others knock it to the ground. So, let’s take all the “information” and “science” surrounding coffee with a grain of salt and go about our business. I, after many attempts, ended up drinking 2 cups of not too strong coffee, with half a teaspoon of sugar each, the first after breakfast, at 7 o’clock, the second after the second meal, at 2 o’clock. This is how I feel fine. Everyone should seek this personal balance.”

Let’s see how coffee appeared, what are its qualities, what disadvantages we have if we drink it and why and how much coffee we should drink.

The legend of coffee

It is said that in the 9th century, a goatherd named Kaldi from Kaffa, present-day Ethiopia, noticed that when his goats munched on the red berries of a certain bush, they became very energetic. Intrigued, Kaldi chewed the fruit himself. The euphoria he experienced after consuming the mysterious beans led him to bring those beans to the nearest place of worship in the village. The priest considered the grains to be “the work of the devil” and threw the grains into the fire in the temple. Soon after, a fragrant and strong aroma filled the room. The priest commanded that those grains be removed from the fire and hot water be poured over them to preserve the smell.

After the priest and monks drank the mixture, they experienced a feeling of peace, warmth and calm. The after effects were just as strong as they were able to stay alert for long periods of time. The priest and monks of that temple then shared their discovery with other monks from other monasteries, and word of the energizing grains began to spread.

By word of mouth, word of coffee spread eastward to the Arabian Peninsula, and from there began the journey that would bring these beans around the globe.

European travelers to the Near East told of an unusual dark-colored drink. By the 17th century, coffee had made its way to Europe and became popular across the continent, and soon in the New World, America.

Arguments for coffee

Numerous studies have shown that it can have a positive effect on health. It contains powerful antioxidants, which may reduce the risk of developing chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and some types of cancer. Also, the caffeine content can stimulate the central nervous system and temporarily improve cognitive performance and alertness. Certain studies have even indicated that moderate coffee consumption may be associated with a reduced risk of developing Parkinson’s disease or other neurodegenerative disorders.

What are those antioxidants in coffee?

1. Chlorogenic acids: These antioxidants are present in high amounts in coffee and have been associated with benefits such as reducing inflammation and the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
2. Ferulic acid: Another powerful antioxidant in coffee that can help protect cells from oxidative damage and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
3. Caffeic acid: This phenolic acid is responsible for some of the antioxidant properties of coffee, being involved in preventing cellular damage and protecting the body against oxidative stress.
4. Quercetin: It is an antioxidant present in coffee, which is known for its anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties and its ability to protect the body against free radicals.

These antioxidants can help neutralize free radicals in the body and protect cells from oxidative stress, thus contributing to overall health and reducing the risk of chronic disease.

Arguments against coffee

Excessive coffee consumption can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms such as headaches or fatigue. This is the strongest argument against coffee consumption: Excessive consumption is harmful. Like any excessive consumption of anything (sugar, bread, sweets, etc.), coffee is addictive and harmful. Then there would be some categories of people who should be careful with its consumption.

1. People with sleep problems or insomnia: Caffeine is a stimulant that can affect the quality of sleep and lead to difficulty falling asleep or frequent awakenings during the night.
2. People with heart conditions: Coffee can increase the heart rate and cause palpitations in people with heart problems, such as arrhythmias or tachycardia.
3. People with digestive problems: Coffee can trigger or aggravate digestive problems such as heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux or irritable bowel syndrome.
4. Pregnant women: Excessive caffeine consumption can affect fetal development and increase the risk of miscarriage or premature birth.
5. People with high blood pressure: Caffeine can increase blood pressure and may be contraindicated for people with high blood pressure.
6. People with anxiety or panic disorders: Caffeine can amplify anxiety symptoms and cause panic attacks.

Conclusions

Coffee is not considered pro-inflammatory. In fact, studies have shown that it can even be anti-inflammatory due to its content of antioxidants and bioactive compounds. Apart from precautions for people with certain conditions, who should consume little or no coffee, the only argument against coffee consumption is overconsumption.

According to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for healthy adults, 400 milligrams of caffeine per day, which is about four or five cups of coffee, is an amount that is not generally associated with dangerous negative effects. However, there is wide variation in both how sensitive people are to the effects of caffeine and how quickly they metabolize it. And, of course, the caffeine content of other foods or drinks ingested (green or black tea, chocolate, cola drinks, etc.) must also be taken into account.

Sources: here and here.