Reilly Van Dyke, Staff Writer
Studies are now showing that there are positive side effects to drinking coffee. For years, doctors have been persistent about the negative health risks that can come from drinking coffee. We’ve all heard that drinking coffee before bed can make it hard to fall asleep. Also, we’ve been told we could suffer from high blood pressure, an increased risk of heart disease, the risk of ulcers and the chance of becoming diabetic. However, what many people don’t know is that in moderation, coffee, caffeinated or not, can actually be good for us.
Although many studies have been done, there actually isn’t anything to suggest that drinking coffee in moderation can cause cardiovascular disease or any other serious illnesses. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition on April 2012 confirmed that coffee may actually reduce one’s risk for developing type two diabetes.
Furthermore, while drinking caffeine may not always be the best beverage, the natural blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals in coffee all work together to neutralize the effects of the caffeine, which can be toxic to our bodies if just taken all by itself. As long as the coffee itself isn’t being completely submerged in cream and sugar, the therapeutic health benefits will compensate for the caffeine intake. Scientists are now suggesting that the natural chemical compounds in coffee can be very nutritious and beneficial to our overall health.
The risk for developing diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and many different types of cancer can all be reduced by drinking coffee in moderation. Drug companies are now designing drugs that mimic the effects of coffee on our brains in order to decrease the risk of Parkinson’s disease. Dr. Chuanhai Cao reveals to Science Daily, that older adults drinking up to three cups of coffee a day should be protected from Alzheimer’s disease, or delay it. Reporter from Health Day, Steven Reinberg, claims that according to lead researcher Kathryn Wilson, men who drank six cups of coffee per day have a 60 percent lower chance of developing prostate cancer.
Overall, doctors and scientists have proven that when taken in moderation, the positive health benefits of drinking coffee outweigh the negatives. So the next time you’re on your way to Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts to get a coffee, don’t feel too bad about the caffeine or worry about the possible health risks, because you might actually be doing your body a favor.
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