The word "coffee" is in our life. We are so much habituated with this drink that from the early morning till late night we consume this drink. In fact many of us do not count how much we consume this drink within a day. We consume the coffee as a refreshing drink. However, due to consumption of this drink we are having some positive and negative effects in our health. If coffee is not consumed too much per day then consuming coffee proves to be much beneficial for us as well. Let us first discuss with the risks of consuming more coffee on our health are: -
Heart diseases: - High levels of the protein homocysteine in the blood are tightly linked to an increased risk of heart disease. Some studies have shown that drinking about 4 cups of coffee per day significantly raises homocysteine levels.
Increased cholesterol levels: - The diterpenes in coffee have been shown to increase total and LDL cholesterol, which is sometimes called "bad" cholesterol due to its detrimental effects on blood vessel and heart health. Depending on how coffee is prepared, coffee contains various amounts of this substance. There is evidence that coffee increases cholesterol in a dose-depending manner meaning that the more coffee is consumed the higher blood cholesterol rises.
Damage to arteries: - Due to consumption of too much coffee it also affects the arteries in the body. The research studies have shown that coffee contains biochemical markers of inflammation which helps to increase detrimental effect due to consumption of more coffee.
Heart rhythm disturbances: - A Harvard study conducted a research on health hazards due to consumption of more coffee and thus concluded that there was evidence that claim that coffee consumption itself increases the risk of coronary heart disease. The study did however; show a correlation between heavy consumption of coffee and higher degrees of exposure to other coronary heart disease risk factors such as smoking, greater alcohol consumption, and lack of physical exercise.
Blood pressure: - Caffeine has previously been implicated in increasing the risk of high blood pressure. In a 12-year study of 155,000 female nurses large amounts of coffee did induce a risky rise in blood pressure.
Bone loss: - The caffeine contains in the coffee causes bone loss in human body. The caffeine makes loss of calcium from the bones and thus there is loss of bones.
Disrupted sleep, nervousness and anxiety: - The consumption of coffee at night also causes disrupted sleep, nervousness and anxiety in human mind. Many coffee drinkers are familiar with coffee jitters a nervous condition that occurs when one has had too much caffeine. It can also cause anxiety and irritability, in some with excessive coffee consumption, and some as a withdrawal symptom. In some cases coffee can also cause insomnia. In others it can cause narcolepsy.
Heartburn: - Due to consumption of more coffee it makes heart burn which results in heart attacks.
Dehydration: - Regardless of the preparation, coffee is also a known diuretic, which limits the body’s ability to absorb water. For every cup of coffee a person should drink at least the same amount of water to make up the difference. Consumption of too much coffee makes dehydration in the human body. Due to consumption of more coffee it slows down the water level in the body and thus causes dehydration.
Coffee during pregnancy cause miscarriages: - Studies have indicated a link between consumption of over 300 mg of caffeine per day by expectant mothers and low birth weight, miscarriage, and some birth defects. In addition, a fetus or infant’s liver is not developed enough to process caffeine and so it remains in the body for up to 4 days. Therefore, nursing mothers should avoid caffeine as well.
Cancer: - Over 1,000 chemicals have been reported in roasted coffee, and 19 are known rodent carcinogens. However, whole coffee extract is suspected to cause cancer of the human pancreas and possibly the bladder.
Acne: - Abstinence from coffee leading to cessation of acne has been reported by individuals.
Gastrointestinal problems: - Coffee can damage the lining of the gastrointestinal organs, causing gastritis and ulcers. The consumption of coffee is therefore not recommended for people with gastritis, colitis, and ulcers.
Anaemia: - Coffee consumption can lead to iron deficiency anaemia in mothers and infants. Coffee also interferes with the absorption of supplemental iron.
BENEFITS FROM CONSUMING COFFEE
Reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease and Dementia: - Several studies comparing moderate coffee drinkers with light coffee drinkers found that those who drank more coffee were significantly less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease later in life. A longitudinal study in 2009 found that moderate coffee drinkers had reduced risk of developing dementia in addition to Alzheimer's disease.
Reduced risk of gallstone disease: - Drinking caffeinated coffee has been correlated with a lower incidence of gallstones and gallbladder disease in both men and women in two studies performed by the Harvard School of Public Health. A lessened risk was not seen in those who drank decaffeinated coffee.
Reduced risk of Parkinson's disease: - A study comparing heavy coffee drinkers with non-drinkers found that the coffee drinkers were significantly less likely to develop Parkinson's disease Parkinson's disease later in life. Likewise, a second study found an inverse relationship between the amount of coffee regularly drunk and the likelihood of developing Parkinson's disease.
Cognitive performance: - Many people drink coffee for its ability to increase short term recall. A recent study showed that roast coffee protected primary neuronal cells against hydrogen peroxide-induced cell death.