Coffee and Health: Consider the Evidence

Coffee and Health: Consider the Evidence
	From the desk of: Robert Sheeler, M.D.  Medical Editor — Mayo Clinic Health Letter
Hello David! News of coffee’s potential impact on health has for years gone back and forth. Initially, concerns centered on caffeine. In reality, coffee is the sum of many substances — some are known and many others aren’t. The most commonly recognized is caffeine, a naturally occurring stimulant. Some lesser known are compounds that have antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are generally associated with potential health benefits. As more becomes known, it appears as if the drink may be just fine for most, and possibly even of some benefit. Interest in coffee’s pros and cons related to health has generated considerable research. Among the findings so far, coffee may protect against: Type 2 diabetes — Researchers found that compounds in coffee — chlorogenic acid and caffeine — may thwart protein formation that contributes to the death of pancreas cells. Normally, pancreas cells produce insulin. An earlier study of younger and middle-aged women found that drinking two or more cups of coffee a day was associated with a substantially lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Parkinson's disease — Numerous studies indicate regular coffee consumption may reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease. Various cancers — A recent study found that women who drank coffee reduced their risk of endometrial cancer by 20 percent. A recent analysis of multiple studies suggests there may be a correlation between drinking coffee and a reduced risk of pancreatic cancer. One study found that drinking an additional two cups of coffee a day was associated with a 43 percent reduced risk of liver cancer. Alzheimer's disease — A recent review of multiple studies reported there’s a trend toward a protective effect from coffee, but more study is needed to determine if the trend is significant. Areas where coffee may not be of help and may possibly be harmful are: Bone health — Caffeine is known to increase the amount of calcium that’s passed in urine. It may also interfere with how well calcium is absorbed in the digestive tract. One study found that women who drank 20 ounces of coffee — about 2 1/2 cups — or more on a daily basis had a modest increase in fractures related to osteoporosis. However, other studies have found that if coffee drinkers get adequate calcium, the effect is minimized. Blood pressure — For people who consume coffee only occasionally, there may be a temporary rise in blood pressure. However, regular coffee drinkers appear to develop a tolerance so that there isn’t much effect on blood pressure. Lung health — A recent overview of 13 different studies concluded that high or increased coffee consumption might increase the risk of lung cancer. However, the authors of the overview also cautioned that other factors — specifically the effects of smoking — might have affected their findings. More study is needed to determine a connection — if indeed there is a connection. Years of study have turned up little support for concerns about caffeine’s effect on cancer risk and heart health. For most healthy adults, moderate doses of caffeine — 200 to 300 mg a day, which is two or three cups of regular brewed coffee — are fine. Coffee is among the top 10 food sources of antioxidants. It’s also a major source of chlorogenic acid, which is one of its star players for antioxidant activity. Antioxidant activity associated with coffee has been linked to protective effects on multiple diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Want more great health information? Visit the store now to see the latest products from Mayo Clinic doctors, specialists and editorial staff.
Yours in good health, Robert Sheeler, M.D. Medical Editor — Mayo Clinic Health Letter https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=wm#inbox/14f749ea903847fa