Coffee is one of the most commonly consumed beverages in the USA, with the average American drinking 2.1 cups every day1. Some people see it as being their vice, while others rave about its benefits. So, what’s the truth about coffee?
- Overall, coffee has been deemed safe for overall health2 and has been linked with many positive benefits. It has been associated in reduced risks of many cancers (including distal colon cancer3, gallbladder cancer4, hepatocellular carcinoma5, and basal cell carcinoma6 ), to have protective effects against cardiovascular disease events7, to lower BMIs in individuals who are genetically susceptible to obesity8, and to lower all-cause mortality9.
- It does have known diuretic properties and its use is sometimes questioned in situations where maintaining fluid balance is important. However, it’s been shown in many studies to not have any negative hydration effects10 and to cause just as much cumulative urine output as water11.
With all that being said, it’s important to remember that the majority of these studies were done on people who are not on restrictive diets or lifestyles, where caffeine might not be the best idea. For instance, a few studies have linked childhood leukemia after maternal coffee drinking while pregnant12. It’s also important to remember that the studies were looking at small to moderate amounts of plain, caffeinated coffee (1-3 cups/day) with no added cream or sugar. Extra light and extra sweet coffees are NOT the same!
Want more? Check out our other blogs here!
Written by Dr. Brandon Buchla, DC, CSCS
Check us out at www.atpplusct.com