2023-08-01 05:30:03
Cynthia Awad wrote in “The Republic”:
Coffee is an essential part of every morning for many people, with the aim of boosting energy levels and alertness. However, a morning cup of coffee can do more harm than good for those fighting chronic inflammation. In light of the conflicting opinions, you may ask, “Does coffee cause inflammation or not?”
The evidence for the health benefits and risks of coffee makes it difficult to find a clear answer to this question. Studies have shown that drinking up to 3 cups of coffee a day may reduce the risk of heart disease, but exceeding this amount can threaten the kidneys. A research group also found that people who drink coffee daily live longer.
Effect of coffee on inflammation
According to nutritionist Jackie Newgent, from New York City, “It may sound confusing, but coffee contains plant compounds that provide anti-inflammatory properties. However, these benefits can be canceled out when you drink too many types that contain caffeine, sugar, or sweetened syrups. Other factors, such as genetic makeup, may influence whether or not coffee is beneficial.
Nutritionist Chrissie Arsenault, from the United States, explained that “coffee is rich in different types of antioxidants, including polyphenols and “Hydrocinnamic” acids that counteract harmful free radicals in the body, which may destroy cells and cause diseases. This can reduce inflammation in the body. However, espresso and unfiltered coffee like French press contain dieterpenes that can raise unhealthy fats in the body. To avoid this mild inflammatory effect, be sure to choose filtered coffee.”
Cardiologist Adidabo Eluomede, from the United States, said: “Although scientific results are conflicting, many recent studies have found that moderate consumption of coffee or tea is fine for most people. But as always, consult a doctor first before changing any health habit, medication, or dietary supplement, especially if you suffer from cardiovascular disease or risk factors for heart disease.
What regarding the decaffeinated ones?
“If you don’t like caffeine, you may still reap the anti-inflammatory benefits of using decaffeinated coffee,” Newgent explained. Because it retains most of the beneficial compounds found in regular coffee, including antioxidants, albeit in smaller quantities. Research has found that people who drank any type of coffee, ground, instant or decaffeinated, had a lower risk of dying from heart disease or any other cause compared to their counterparts who did not consume coffee at all. This means that the credit goes to something else in the coffee beans and not just the caffeine. As for the healthiest way to drink coffee, it lies in not adding any substance to it, such as sugar, which stimulates inflammation, and other additives that are often rich in calories, carbohydrates, and fats.
What is the safe dose?
A 2022 study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that drinking 2 to 3 cups per day of coffee was associated with a significant reduction in cardiovascular disease and mortality, compared to avoiding its consumption. Drinking coffee in moderation, 2 to 5 cups a day, has also been linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, liver and endometrial cancer, Parkinson’s disease, depression, and even premature death.
But when is the quantity overdone? According to the FDA, up to 400 mg of caffeine per day (regarding 4 cups of coffee) is considered safe for most healthy adults. When compared to the largest coffee size in the leading coffee shops, which contains 410 mg of caffeine, the limit is slightly exceeded and no other source of caffeine is allowed for the rest of the day.
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