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Body Dimensions: Nutrition News
Mr. Coffee
Americans drink 400 million cups of coffee a day, making them the global leader in coffee consumption. But have you ever wondered what effects this particular drug (and yes, it is one!) might be having on you? We’ve rounded up the pros and cons. The result: There’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
Perks
It cheers you up
Experts believe some of the chemicals it contains may increase your sense of wellbeing. “In Chinese medicine, we work on the system of Yin and Yang,” says Shan Liang, Doctor of Oriental Medicine. “Coffee comes under Yang—its nature is hot. So if you have a Yang deficiency and tend to feel cold, sleepy and depressed, coffee will give you a boost.”
It wakes up your work-out
The caffeine in coffee stimulates your body to release endorphins, which lessen fatigue. “There’s also evidence coffee increases endurance levels by reducing the amount of glucose your body uses and increasing the amount of fat it burns when you exercise,” says Mallie Shirk, a registered dietician based at Sarasota Family YMCA. Experts say it doesn’t take much—a single cup an hour before you exercise is enough to provide a workout boost.
It curbs cavities
“Recent research indicates that one of the compounds contained in coffee has anti-bacterial and anti-adhesive properties that may help prevent cavities,” Shirk says.
It may protect you from disease Coffee can help your body regulate blood sugar—three cups a day should afford you some protection against Type 2 diabetes. Other research indicates it may provide a protective effect against Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimers, gallstones and cirrhosis of the liver.
Cons
It may harm your heart
If your genetic make-up causes you to metabolize caffeine more slowly, coffee may raise your risk of heart attack.
It could affect fertility
Some studies have shown that women who drink more than three cups a day take longer to conceive. It’s also thought caffeine can affect sperm count. Drinking large amounts of coffee (upwards of five cups a day) has also been linked to miscarriage.
It raises blood pressure
Although coffee hasn’t been found to cause hypertension, some studies suggest that if you already have high blood pressure, drinking more than two to three cups of coffee a day when you aren’t used to it can raise your blood pressure further. “If you have high blood pressure, Chinese medicine sees you as hot: ‘live Yang rising,’” says Liang. “Coffee, with its hot Yang nature, will aggravate this.”
It gives you the jitters
Underdoing your usual amount of coffee or even having too many cups can make you anxious and irritable, cause headaches and affect concentration. Liang points to Yin and Yang again: If you’re a Yang personality—hot, energetic, quick tempered—then coffee will make you easily angered.” And its effects on sleep are legendary—late night cups will make you sleep poorly.
Decaf Defense?
Even decaf can come with a kick! Research has revealed that almost all decaffeinated coffee contains some caffeine. It raises the possibility that chain-drinking decaf could cause caffeine levels to rise as high as if you’d had several cups of the hard stuff—worth noting if your doctor has told you to cut back because of kidney disease or anxiety disorders.
Caffeine Awareness Council has a tool for calculating your daily caffeine consumption; caffeineawareness.org Dr. Shan Liang, 941-366-8810; drliang.com Mallie Shirk, Sarasota YMCA, 941-366-6778; sarasota-ymca.org
—By Kate Brophy
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