Analysis of 19,000 Medical Studies on Coffee Concludes Moderation is GOOD for You

Coffee, and its primary stimulant, caffeine have been the focus of more than 19,000 professional medical studies during the last twenty years. What is the conclusion of so much attention? Something we have suspect for years: coffee IS good for you when consumed in moderation. Moderation can be anywhere from three to six cups of coffee a day.

In fact, the good-for-you conclusion actually means that scourges such as diabetes, heart disease, cirrhosis of the liver, and Parkinson's disease can be ameliorated or the risk lowered by a steady consumption of coffee. The risks are often lowered by as much as 28 to 35%.

Venerable Harvard University analyzed data on 126,000 participants for up to 18 years, and have calculated that drunking one to three cups of caffeinated coffee daily actually can reduce the risk of diabetes, yet consuming six or more cups a day reduces the risk even further (54% for women and 30% for men.)

Although scientists do not encourage smoking, they were startled to discover that regular coffee drinking seems to reduce the amount of liver damage and heart disease in smokers and heavy drinkers.

Other conclusions that have resulted from these studies are that two cups daily may equal a 25% reduced risk of colon cancer; 80% reduction in risk for liver cirrhosis, and 50% reduction for the risk of gallstones, compared with those participants who drank no coffee at all.

What's the cause of these statistics? Is it the antioxidants (yes) or the caffeine (yes). In fact, caffeine may actually be the more positive of the two elements, especially for those with Parkinson's disease; several drugs for the disease now contain caffeine derivatives based on recent eviidence. An eight ounce cup of drip-brewed coffee contains about 85mg, about 3 1/2 times that of an ounce of chocolate or the same serving of cola or tea which also contain caffeine naturally. Over–the-counter drugs for treating asthma and headaches have long contained caffeine, upwards of 120 milligrams.

It's also caffeine that enhances athletic endurance and performance, which is why caffeine has been named a "controlled" substance by the Olympic Games Committee, although they do allow small, designated amounts by competing athletes. Caffeine may have a direct effect on muscles, causing them to produce a stronger contraction. It can also help athletes last longer, be stronger, even run faster, all with as little as one cup, but two makes a more significant impact.

The antioxidants in coffee include a powerful element called quinine that can help improve our response to insulin which explains why it is regular coffee, not decaf, that contributes a reduced risk for diabetes. In addition to quinine, coffee has chlorogenic acid and tocopherols, and minerals such as magnesium which can also improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. Another element, trigonelline, helps prevent cavities in the teeth.

Once a taboo for children, coffee has gained a better reputation although not where we might expect (increased alertness during test.) Instead, coffee made with milk reduces depression in children, according to a recent study in Brazil.

Is coffee good for everyone? Women who are pregnant, and anyone with elevated cholesterol levels, those with existing heart disease or at-risk for osteoporosis should limit or avoid coffee, medical scientists say. As for the rest of us, drink up!

SOURCES: Tomas DePaulis, PhD, research scientist, Vanderbilt University's Institute for Coffee Studies; research assistant professor of psychiatry, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville. Terry Graham, PhD, University of Guelph, Canada. Frank Hu, MD, PhD, associate professor of nutrition and epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston. Hu, F. Annals of Internal Medicine, January 2004.

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