I am a self-described coffee addict. I'm not even really alive until my first cup in the morning and I drink it throughout the day. Occasionally, I've been told by people that I should quit drinking coffee or at least cut down or switch to decaf, the reasons cited being concern for my health. I've always asked them why is it that they think coffee is bad for your health? Here's the answer.

I am a self-described coffee addict. I’m not even really alive until my first cup in the morning and I drink it throughout the day. Occasionally, I’ve been told by people that I should quit drinking coffee or at least cut down or switch to decaf, the reasons cited being concern for my health.

I’ve always asked them why is it that they think coffee is bad for your health?

Here’s the answer.

Harvard University researchers published a study that found a connection between coffee consumption and and cancer around thirty years ago. The study was flawed and retracted several years later. Due to the media blitz that followed the research “findings,” coffee has gotten an ill-deserved bad rap ever since.

But what about increasing your blood pressure, they ask.

Actually, I don’t even have a blood pressure until I drink my morning cup of coffee. Just kidding, but the fact is that for people who are not habitual coffee drinkers, there is a temporary increase in blood pressure. For us serious coffee drinkers, a tolerance is built up and there is increase in blood pressure.

Some people report jitters or sleeplessness due to caffeine consumption. My advice to them is to switch to decaf and cut yourself off at a certain point in the afternoon so that it does not affect your sleep. Actually, I think there’s tolerance working here also, as I take a cup of coffee to bed with me and swear that I can’t sleep without it, but I’m probably the extreme.

Health Benefits

Recent research is now showing that coffee is a good source of antioxidants and aids in the prevention of numerous serious diseases, from Type 2 diabetes and liver cancer to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. You can read all the medical benefits and research by simply Googling “coffee health benefits” without the quotes. There is a wealth of information.

Coffee is a Great Pick-Me-Up

I’m not particularly athletic, but if you are, caffeine can boost endurance and improve your performance. Caffeine is absorbed rapidly, so athletes get the most boost if it consumed just before exercise.

Coffee is Naturally Low in Calories

Coffee is a low-calorie drink, however, consumers have been known to sabotage that benefit by adding sugar, cream, and all sorts of concoctions at coffee stores like Starbucks. You know what I’m talking about — the syrups, whipped cream, chocolate, caramel and all the yummy things that a place like Starbucks can add to make their delicious specialty coffee beverages. I used to drink Starbucks’s Venti Frapuccino pretty frequently until I found out how many calories were in it — nearly half a day’s worth of calories in one coffee beverage! Now I drink my coffee with Sweet N Low and lowfat milk.

There is an abundance of solid research showing that drinking coffee in moderation can be beneficial to your health. Not only do you benefit from the protection it provides for some serious diseases, but the aroma and taste of a hot cup of coffee is a pleasurable experience, according to this coffee addict.

Suzanne Bucciarelli is the owner of Coffee Lover’s Talk blog. Check it out for a review on the popular single-cup coffee brewing system plus articles on the health benefits of coffee, coffee recipes and the latest coffee news. http://coffeeloverstalk.com/coffee-recipes

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