Is Coffee Healthy?

Coffee shops are one of the fastest growing businesses. Leading the high demand for coffee is the United States with 400 million cups of coffee consumed by Americans per day. 14 billion coffee espressos are consumed in Italy each year. So, there is no doubt that coffee is popular, but, is coffee healthy?

Well, if you read the literature, there does not seem to be a clear cut answer to that question. So, we'll address the good and the bad. First, there are some potential health concerns for coffee drinkers. On the flip side, if used in moderation or in certain circumstances, coffee can have health benefits. So, let's find out about these concerns and benefits.

Health Problems Related to Coffee and Caffeine

Adrenal Fatigue can result from over-consumption of coffee. This is when your adrenal glands become exhausted from over-stimulation. The caffeine in coffee is a nervous system stimulant, which causes your body to produce adrenaline. Adrenaline is the hormone that regulates heart rate, blood pressure and respiration. It is the adrenaline rush from caffeine that gives coffee drinkers the extra "go" to keep up with the heavy demands of their busy lifestyles. Becoming dependant on this adrenaline rush is part of what makes coffee and caffeine addictive. Failing to nurture your adrenals can have detrimental side effects. Our adrenals are necessary for producing hormones, which directly influences the operation of other body systems. If the adrenals become depleted and can no longer keep up with the energy demands you are placing on them, your health will suffer and you will be like a car without fuel or a car that has just gone head on into a rock wall.

An acidic pH environment is created in the body when there are too many negative influences from acidic food, thoughts, toxins and stressors. The pH balance of the body can range from alkaline, neutral to acidic. Coffee is very acidic with over 200 different acids including uric acid from the breakdown of caffeine. Many health problems such as arthritis arise in the body when it is acidic.

Mineral deficiency can arise from the over-consumption of coffee. Some nutrients are blocked from absorption and excessively secreted through urination with the consumption of coffee. Necessary minerals for the body such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron and other trace minerals are at risk of depletion for those who drink coffee.

Blood sugar swings such as hypoglycemia can be induced by coffee consumption. Caffeine taxes both the pancreas and the liver by forcing them to produce glycogen and insulin on a double duty rollercoaster. This excessive push of up and down can result in blood sugar swings. Your blood sugar balance is directly connected to hormone balance and fat metabolism.

Health Symptoms that Can Arise from Over-Consumption of Coffee and Caffeine

Fatigue

Anxiety, nervousness, irritability

Irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, diarrhea and other digestive ailments

Yeast overgrowth, candidiasis

Hypoglycemia, diabetes

Dizziness

Gout

Heart palpitations or other heart disorders

High blood pressure

High cholesterol

Insomnia

Heartburn

Liver and gallbladder problems

Bladder and kidney disorders

Headaches or migraines

Ulcers, stomach problems

Osteoporosis

Hormone imbalance

PMS

Severe menopause symptoms

Skin eruptions, rashes, acne, eczema

Urinary tract infections

Weight gain

Fibrocystic breast disease

Infertility

Miscarriage

Low baby birth weight

Enlarged prostate

Arthritis

Fibromyalgia

Memory lapse

Moodiness

Lack of concentration

Okay, now on to the flip side of drinking coffee. What if any are the benefits?

If coffee and caffeine consumption is kept to a minimum and not abused, there are some potential health benefits. Some studies suggest that many people can safely drink one to two cups of coffee per day. However, if you are a coffee drinker, what is safe for you may vary. Listen to your body. If you are noticing any of the health problems noted above, consider that coffee might just be the culprit.

Potential Health Benefits of Drinking Coffee

In some studies caffeine has shown to improve focus and memory.

Coffee and caffeine has been documented to assist athletes in performance and overcoming fatigue.

Coffee consumption helps regulate bowel function.

Coffee contains antioxidants, which are highly beneficial to our body for fighting free radicals.

In some studies, coffee has shown promise in lowering the risk of Parkinson's disease.

Ultimately, whether coffee is healthy or not comes down to your own personal body and how sensitive or not you are to its affects.

If you are a coffee drinker, you might want to access your relationship to coffee. Are you addicted to it? Can you quit for a day or two without negative side effects? Does it cause you to experience negative symptoms? Are you using coffee as a crutch to get through the day instead of for occasional enjoyment? Can you drink large amounts of coffee with little reaction? This may be a sign that your adrenals are overloaded and no longer responding to stimulus.

If you've accessed your coffee consumption habits and coffee is affecting your health in negative ways, first consider giving up coffee or cutting back, and secondly consider supporting your body with some additional nutrients through improved diet and high quality supplements.

With some things in life, a little goes a long way and moderation is the best advice.

By Kelly Hoffman