Coffee and health; friend or foe?

by Pieta Cedaro APD (Consult Dietician)

For many years coffee has been the whipping boy for many ailments and health concerns - from the wives tales such as "It will stunt your growth" to the serious claim that it is associated with increased risk for heart disease and cancer. However better quality scientific studies seem to have painted coffee in a new light of late suggesting that this aromatic brew which many of us see as an elixir for life may not be so bad after all. In fact it may even be of some benefit.

More recent research has failed to find a relationship between coffee and an increased risk of cancer or heart disease. It is believed that earlier studies didn't always take into account that known high-risk behaviours, such as smoking and physical inactivity, tended to be more common among heavy coffee drinkers. Hence the association with increased risk of cancer/ heart disease and coffee was really masking the true cause-smoking and inactivity in these populations.

Research does suggest that high consumption of unfiltered coffee is associated with mild elevations in cholesterol levels. And another study found that two or more cups of coffee a day can increase the risk of heart disease in people with a specific - and fairly common - genetic mutation that slows the breakdown of caffeine in the body. So, the rate at which you metabolize coffee may indeed affect your health risks.

The good news is that a number of current studies have highlighted coffees ability to benefit our health in other ways. Coffee may in fact assist in protecting against Parkinson's disease, type 2 diabetes and liver cancer. It is believed antioxidants such as polyphenols found in coffee may in fact play an important role. But this doesn't mean that more is necessarily better. Although coffee may not be harmful when consumed in moderation, other beverages such as low fat milk contain important nutrients that coffee does not. Also, keep in mind that coffee accompaniments such as full cream milk and sugar all add extra kilojoules and fat to your diet. Keep in mind that heavy caffeine use - such as in excess of four cups of instant coffee or 2 cups percolated or espresso coffee a day - can cause problems such as restlessness, anxiety, irritability, sleeplessness and headaches. So again it seems the old saying everything in moderation seems to hold true.