How coffee impacts our health continues to pique the interest of researchers and coffee enthusiasts alike. Since many individuals regularly consume coffee due to its energy-boosting effect, some medical specialists continue to discuss how the popular beverage impacts their health.
Many studies found that coffee provides a number of health advantages if consumed regularly due to its antioxidant content. It can help lower the risk of developing metabolic, cardiovasular, liver, and neurological conditions. Coffee may also help prevent depression, say doctors, per Healthline. One cup of coffee a day may reduce depression risk by 8%, and four or more cups a day may reduce depression risk significantly.
Despite rising evidence of coffee's advantages, health specialists recommend moderation. The FDA suggests 400 milligrams of caffeine per day or five 8-ounce cups of coffee. More than 1,200 mg of caffeine (about 12 cups) may produce an abnormal heartbeat, vomiting, seizures, and death, warn specialists.
Check Body's Response to Coffee
Individuals with cardiovascular disease or diabetes should exercise caution, especially when adding sugar or cream to their coffee. Pre-packaged coffee shop creations loaded with up to 50 grams of sugar can significantly impact the daily recommended sugar intake. Hence, awareness of coffee product choices and their additives becomes crucial for maintaining overall health.
As individuals age, their ability to tolerate coffee's constituents can change. For some, advancing years might heighten sensitivity to certain chemicals and foods, rendering once-tolerated coffee habits no longer suitable. Listening to one's body signals, such as fatigue or rapid heartbeat, becomes crucial in determining when to curtail coffee intake.
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Too Much Coffee Can Be Bad for Women, Young People
Health authorities also urge pregnant and nursing women to restrict coffee intake to 200 mg (two cups) daily since breast milk might pass caffeine to newborns. Moreover, Forbes reported a study published in Osteoporos International found that women who drink more than four cups of coffee daily are more likely to fracture their bones.
Younger populations, particularly teenagers, require special attention regarding coffee consumption. Pediatricians advise against caffeine intake for adolescents, citing potential health risks.
Dr. David Buchholz, a Columbia University Irving Medical Center pediatrician, says caffeine consumption is unsafe for teens. Dr. Buchholz noted in an NBC report that companies are now aggressively marketing caffeine-containing energy drinks to children, which is a growing concern, along with teenagers' increasing adoption of coffee habits. Moderation, with an upper limit of 100 milligrams per day (about one 8-ounce cup), is recommended for teenagers who indulge.
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