Are There Any Health Benefits Gained By Drinking Coffee?
The last 25 years has seen the growth of a cottage industry in the study of the health effects of drinking coffee. And no wonder with over 400 million cups of coffee consumed each day throughout the world. But for decades health workers warned that the habit might be unsafe. Now, recent studies show the opposite is more likely to be the case. Caffeine, one of the main ingredients in coffee, has long been known to be a mild stimulant. That can raise blood pressure, increase heart rate and produce the occasional irregular heart beat. But most researchers now believe the effect is mild and short-lived. By contrast, the emerging data about the health benefits of coffee consumption are numerous and diverse. There’s strong evidence that coffee reduces the odds of developing colon cancer, but only at higher levels of consumption. Four or more cups a day. Unfortunately, that high an intake may well outweigh any health benefits. But other health benefits can accrue from drinking even moderate l
