Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in our modern world, with 95 million cups consumed in the UK every day. [i] The dark drink has enjoyed long-standing popularity in our culture for its ability to ward off tiredness and fatigue. Unsurprisingly, the caffeine contained in each cup of coffee has fuelled countless all-nighters, whether studying or working. However, when consumed in moderation, coffee can have some surprising health benefits. Here are some useful facts about coffee and how it affects your health.
Protection against a range of illnesses
Coffee is one of the most heavily studied drinks around today. In 2018, researchers concluded that coffee-drinkers have a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared with those who do not drink coffee. [ii] Other research suggests that drinking coffee offers a level of protection against heart disease and specific forms of cancer. [iii]
No longer carcinogenic
In 2015 the US Department of Health and Human Services carried out a review of studies on the health effects of coffee. They concluded that coffee can be a healthy part of a person’s daily diet when kept between three and five cups per day. [iv]
In their report published in June 2016, the World Health Organisation removed coffee from their list of potentially carcinogenic (cancer-causing) foods. Additionally, the WHO recognised the potential of coffee to protect against cancers of the liver and uterus. [v]
Even decaf offers a range of benefits.
Decaffeinated coffee has been a popular choice for people who do not like coffee’s jittery feeling. Like its caffeinated relative, decaf coffee also offers health benefits such as protection from diseases, including type 2 diabetes. The lesser-caffeinated coffee is also host to a range of antioxidants. [vi]
Your genes affect how caffeine affects you.
How caffeine affects you and your body can be down to the genes you were born with. Some people metabolise caffeine more slowly than others, increasing their risk of high blood pressure and heart disease if they increase the amount of coffee they drink.[vii] Drinking coffee can also hamper athletic performance for people who are slow metabolisers of caffeine.[viii]
Coffee may reduce the risk of depression.
A large study by Harvard found that the risk of depression decreased as coffee consumption increased amongst the 50,000 women in the research group. [ix]
In another study, researchers found that there was a strong link between drinking coffee and positive emotions. However, the researchers also noted that no negative emotions could be linked to moderate coffee consumption.[x]
References:
- Coffee Facts | British Coffee Association [Internet]. Britishcoffeeassociation.org. 2017 [cited 2021 Aug 13]. Available from: https://www.britishcoffeeassociation.org/coffee-in-the-uk/coffee-facts
- Carlström M, Larsson SC. Coffee consumption and reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Nutrition Reviews [Internet]. 2018 Mar 26 [cited 2021 Aug 13];76(6):395–417. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29590460/
- Grosso G, Godos J, Galvano F, Giovannucci EL. Coffee, Caffeine, and Health Outcomes: An Umbrella Review. Annual Review of Nutrition [Internet]. 2017 Aug 21 [cited 2021 Aug 13];37(1):131–56. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28826374/
- Scientific Report of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Advisory Report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Agriculture [Internet]. ; 2015. Available from: https://health.gov/sites/default/files/2019-09/Scientific-Report-of-the-2015-Dietary-Guidelines-Advisory-Committee.pdf
- Loomis D, Guyton KZ, Grosse Y, Lauby-Secretan B, El Ghissassi F, Bouvard V, et al. Carcinogenicity of drinking coffee, mate, and very hot beverages. The Lancet Oncology [Internet]. 2016 Jul [cited 2021 Aug 13];17(7):877–8. Available from: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(16)30239-X/fulltext
- Nieber K. The Impact of Coffee on Health. Planta Medica [Internet]. 2017 Jul 4 [cited 2021 Aug 13];83(16):1256–63. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28675917/
- Sass C. 6 Health Benefits of Coffee, According to a Nutritionist [Internet]. Health.com. Health.com; 2020 [cited 2021 Aug 13]. Available from: https://www.health.com/food/health-benefits-of-coffee
- Guest NS, Horne J, Vanderhout SM, El-Sohemy A. Sport Nutrigenomics: Personalized Nutrition for Athletic Performance. Frontiers in Nutrition [Internet]. 2019 Feb 19 [cited 2021 Aug 13];6. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6389634/
- Lucas M. Coffee, Caffeine, and Risk of Depression Among Women. Archives of Internal Medicine [Internet]. 2011 Sep 26 [cited 2021 Aug 13];171(17):1571. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3296361/
- Alphagalileo > Item Display [Internet]. Alphagalileo.org. 2021 [cited 2021 Aug 13]. Available from: https://www.alphagalileo.org/en-gb/Item-Display/ItemId/101364?returnurl=https://www.alphagalileo.org/en-gb/Item-Display/ItemId/101364
[i] Coffee Facts | British Coffee Association [Internet]. Britishcoffeeassociation.org. 2017 [cited 2021 Aug 13]. Available from: https://www.britishcoffeeassociation.org/coffee-in-the-uk/coffee-facts
[ii] Carlström M, Larsson SC. Coffee consumption and reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Nutrition Reviews [Internet]. 2018 Mar 26 [cited 2021 Aug 13];76(6):395–417. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29590460/
[iii] Grosso G, Godos J, Galvano F, Giovannucci EL. Coffee, Caffeine, and Health Outcomes: An Umbrella Review. Annual Review of Nutrition [Internet]. 2017 Aug 21 [cited 2021 Aug 13];37(1):131–56. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28826374/
[iv] Scientific Report of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Advisory Report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Agriculture [Internet]. ; 2015. Available from: https://health.gov/sites/default/files/2019-09/Scientific-Report-of-the-2015-Dietary-Guidelines-Advisory-Committee.pdf
[v] Loomis D, Guyton KZ, Grosse Y, Lauby-Secretan B, El Ghissassi F, Bouvard V, et al. Carcinogenicity of drinking coffee, mate, and very hot beverages. The Lancet Oncology [Internet]. 2016 Jul [cited 2021 Aug 13];17(7):877–8. Available from: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(16)30239-X/fulltext
[vi] Nieber K. The Impact of Coffee on Health. Planta Medica [Internet]. 2017 Jul 4 [cited 2021 Aug 13];83(16):1256–63. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28675917/
[vii] Sass C. 6 Health Benefits of Coffee, According to a Nutritionist [Internet]. Health.com. Health.com; 2020 [cited 2021 Aug 13]. Available from: https://www.health.com/food/health-benefits-of-coffee
[viii] Guest NS, Horne J, Vanderhout SM, El-Sohemy A. Sport Nutrigenomics: Personalized Nutrition for Athletic Performance. Frontiers in Nutrition [Internet]. 2019 Feb 19 [cited 2021 Aug 13];6. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6389634/
[ix] Lucas M. Coffee, Caffeine, and Risk of Depression Among Women. Archives of Internal Medicine [Internet]. 2011 Sep 26 [cited 2021 Aug 13];171(17):1571. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3296361/
[x] Alphagalileo > Item Display [Internet]. Alphagalileo.org. 2021 [cited 2021 Aug 13]. Available from: https://www.alphagalileo.org/en-gb/Item-Display/ItemId/101364?returnurl=https://www.alphagalileo.org/en-gb/Item-Display/ItemId/101364
