Is coffee good or bad for you? Scientists may never be able to say, judging by contradictory research results so far
For every study finding that coffee is good for you, there is a probably another study saying it is bad for you. Where does that leave the consumer unsure of the pros and cons of a cup of Joe? Make up your own mind
Around 1.4 billion cups of coffee are poured each day around the world, according to the International Coffee Organisation, supporting a coffee growing industry valued at US$100 billion – second only to crude oil among commodities.
If you follow the news, chances are you’ll have seen any number of stories about the pros and cons of drinking coffee: is it good for your health, or is it bad for mind and body and likely to shorten your life? The debate has hit fever pitch.
We all know why people drink coffee; scientific studies have shown that consuming the bean, roasted, in liquid can increase mental alertness, memory, stamina and concentration. It’s also been known to heighten anxiety, stress levels and cause stomach problems in some people. Then there are the numerous reports that people can exhibit withdrawal symptoms when they give up coffee, including headaches, stomach cramps and fatigue.
So what’s the verdict? Here is the gist of some recent studies to help you make an informed decision as to whether you should be drinking coffee or not, and how much a day you should drink.
The most recent large-scale study, published this year in JAMA Internal Medicine, had some interesting results. The UK-based study, which looked at half a million people, “found inverse associations for coffee drinking with mortality” for those who consumed between one and eight cups a day”.
