Health Side-effects of Coffee?

Question

Is coffee good for you? Are there any health side-effects from coffee that we should be concerned about?

Answer 1

Health side effects seem limited to (1) the stimulant properties, and (2) the diuretic properties.

It is big in caffiene, so if your body doesn't need anymore stimulant, then you might want to do decaffinated coffee or another beverage (caution, tea is also big in caffiene, but we often don't brew it as strongly). I once had six stout cups of coffee during a boring meeting, boy was I ever wired afterwards. I had so much nervous energy that I grabbed a push mower and mowed that pile of weeds which was a vacant lot next to my house, and fairly ran the mowing lines. As with other drinks, you might want to pace yourself. Interestingly, as with alcohol, caffiene can be addictive too, though it is a stimulant instead of depressant. My mother found that out from a challenge by a customer of hers whom she was chiding for not being able to stop drinking so much beer. Both quit 'cold turkey' for a few weeks, and both had the headaches and nervous shakes for a few days.

As for diuretic properties, if you are having problems with water retention or needing to lose water, your doctor may advise you on using or not using coffee. If you have hydration issues, on either side of the coin (too much, too little), coffee can be complicating. A friend of mine asked me once while we were on the way to the 'little room down the hall' after my coffee and his beer had been motivating us to visit that facility, "You know why beer goes through a body faster than coffee? Coffee has to change color."

There are some issues with medicinal conflicts, which you will need to consult resources such as your doctor or pharmacist or drug company website, but most key on these two issues. In the case of decaffinated coffee, there are some issues some people have with the solvents used to leach the caffeine out. Either way, good luck.

Answer 2

Coffee, for adults, can actually be beneficial. But it is a stimulant and some people, especially older people, find that if they drink coffee in the evening, they can't get to sleep at night.
Cafe au lait, which is half milk, makes a very satisfying drink (especially the Starbucks version with that lovely raw sugar and a sprinkle of vanilla on top) and as it is half milk, you can even tell yourself it's good for you!
Seriously, if you have arrhythmia (an irregular heart beat) you should avoid all stimulants, including coffee. Coffee is also a diuretic, so if you drink several cups of coffee a day, you will end up owing yourself a few glasses of water, to ensure that you are sufficiently well hydrated (especially in the summer). Coffee can also have a laxative effect on some people.
Bottom line, enjoy it if it doesn't bother you, if it does, switch to de-caf or another drink altogether.

Answer 3

Unless you're very young, moderate amounts of coffee can be beneficial. You'd want to watch the caffeine.

Consider that Voltaire drank 14 cups of coffee a day.

If you have a high metabolism, the only drawback is that too much coffee could give you the jitters and keep you awake at night - or otherwise affect your sleep patterns.

Answer 4

I love it, the stronger the better, It wakes you up in the morning, I am sure that people who have a low tolerance for caffeine, might feel shaky after they drink it, or feel that there heart is beating faster.
If you drink coffee don't drink decaf, the caffeine has been taken out, but they use chemicals to extract it out of the coffee, so it is probably not all that good for you.
If you have to use sugar and cream or milk in your coffee, I would think that might have a tendency to add weight, but one or two cups a day I would say is moderate.

Answer 5

yes coffee can lower your bodies absorption of calcium, zinc and iron if drank as soon as 2 hours before and after meals, also in the first 3 months of pregnancy it can cause spontaneous abortion. Remember to leave a space of at least two hours between having coffee and a meal.

Answer 6

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT ASK IS IT GOOD FOR YOU !!!

Some where some egg head has figured out a way to make everything in this world bad for you.

WHY?

Because they all want a claim to fame...

A study showed that cranberries could harm you BUT you would have to eat 100 train car full at 80 tons each car to have the effect.

WELL NO DUHHHH

If you like coffee drink it.

The key is

EVERYTHING IN MODERATION

Answer 7

Caffeine and coffee: effects on health and cardiovascular disease. ... or unproven anti-aging effect, or awaiting other evaluation (side-effects) ...