- With Mayo Clinic preventive medicine specialist
Donald Hensrud, M.D.
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Question
Coffee and health: What does the research say?
What does the research say about coffee and health? Is coffee good or bad for me?
Answer
from Donald Hensrud, M.D.
Coffee has a long history of being blamed for many ills — from the humorous "It will stunt your growth" to the not-so-humorous claim that it causes heart disease and cancer. But recent research indicates that coffee may not be so bad after all. So which is it — good or bad? The best answer may be: It doesn't seem to hurt, and it may help.
Recent studies have generally found no connection between coffee and an increased risk of cancer or heart disease. Why the apparent reversal in the thinking about coffee? Earlier studies didn't always take into account that known high-risk behaviors, such as smoking and physical inactivity, tended to be more common among heavy coffee drinkers.
However, the research appears to bear out some risks. High consumption of unfiltered coffee is associated with mild elevations in cholesterol levels. And another study found that two or more cups of coffee a day can increase the risk of heart disease in people with a specific — and fairly common — genetic mutation that slows the breakdown of caffeine in the body. So, how quickly you metabolize coffee may affect your health risks.
Newer studies have also shown that coffee may have benefits, such as protecting against Parkinson's disease, type 2 diabetes and liver cancer. But this doesn't mean you should disregard the old maxim "Everything in moderation." Although coffee may not be harmful, other beverages such as milk and juice contain important nutrients that coffee does not. Also, keep in mind that coffee accompaniments such as cream and sugar add calories and fat to your diet. Finally, heavy caffeine use — such as four to seven cups of coffee a day — can cause problems such as restlessness, anxiety, irritability, sleeplessness and headaches.
Next questionGrape juice: Same heart benefits as wine?
- George SE, et al. A perception on health benefits of coffee. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 2008;48:464.
- Higdon JV, et al. Coffee and health: A review of recent human research. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 2006;46:101.
- Cornelis MC, et al. Coffee, caffeine and coronary heart disease. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care. 2007;10:745.
