One of the most popular beverages of all time, coffee is probably the most traded commodity in the world. Its rich, earthy and the strong flavor makes for the perfect drink, either hot or cold. Coffee is the perfect solution to slow mornings, a great beverage to have with friends and for those rainy days next to a book. There is a perfect brew for everyone, with so many combinations and techniques to make it, like the Dalgona coffee. And the cherry on top is that it is good for your health, but drink too much and it can have adverse effects on the body.
Benefits:
- Micro-nutrients: coffee has a lot of vitamins (B2, B3 and B5), magnesium and potassium, and are high in antioxidants
- Low cal: black coffee has the lowest amount of calories, a cup having just about 2 calories, that is without the cream, sugar and milk
- Reduces hunger pangs: caffeine helps reduce hunger pangs for a brief time due to the compound it contains
- Boost in energy: caffeine gives a brief boost in energy, by blocking the adenosine receptors and thereby increasing physical and mental performance
- Helps manage weight: compounds in coffee can prompt the burning of fat in the body and can help battle obesity.
- Reduces the risk of diseases: drinking coffee has shown to reduce the risks of cardiovascular diseases and benefits people with neuro-degenerative diseases (like Dementia and Alzheimer) and even type 2 diabetes. Italian researchers found that drinking two cup of coffee everyday lowers risks of cancer by almost 50%
Drawbacks:
- Anxiety: caffeine increases alertness, by blocking a chemical that makes you feel tired and triggers the release of adrenaline, which can increase jitteriness, a feeling of nervousness, rapid breathing and even stress-induces anxiety attacks
- Insomnia: the rise in adrenaline levels in the body makes it prone to sleeplessness
- Increase in reflux: the drink is acidic in nature and can cause gastric reflux to those with a sensitive digestive system
- Addiction: since caffeine is a naturally occurring, it is still considered as a stimulating drug. Which in some cases can lead to addiction to the substance and can cause withdrawal symptoms, if not consumed in a while
- High blood pressure: the stimulating effect it has, the increase in adrenaline and the spike in heart-rate, can lead to high blood pressure which can lead to other health problems
Where to draw the line:
On an average two to three cups a day is a safe amount, any more than 4 and your body is at a risk of shutting down. Keep in mind that having even a cup everyday can cause dependency on the brew. One cup of joe every few days is the best way to enjoy the drink without the dependency.