Coffee isn't just a good pick-me-up – it's good for your health

Coffee

Health and wellness publications often recommend reducing or cutting out caffeine entirely, which might make the scientific consensus on coffee somewhat surprising: coffee consumption is associated with a wide array of health benefits and very few negative health outcomes. What’s more, many of the benefits increase directly with increased consumption. 

Bioactive compounds in coffee, such as caffeine and polyphenols, have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Three to four (8 oz) cups daily seem to provide the greatest benefit.

Drinking coffee has been shown to: 

• Reduce liver disease - Coffee consumption of all types (including decaffeinated) has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of chronic liver disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease^[1], both risk factors for liver cancer. 
• Improve heart health - Though a cup of coffee might make you feel like your heart is racing, it’s not hurting it. Though hypertension sufferers may want to steer clear of caffeinated beverages due to the temporary impact on blood pressure, multiple studies have shown that for most individuals caffeinated coffee is not only safe for the heart^[2], it may in fact improve heart health. Coffee drinkers are at lower risk for cardiovascular disease, heart failure, and stroke, and increased consumption (up to about 5 cups/day) actually correlates with lower risks for these conditions. 
• Decrease cancer risk^[3] - Coffee drinkers have a lower risk of several types of cancer, including prostate cancer, endometrial cancer, melanoma, oral cancer, leukemia, non-melanoma skin cancer, and liver cancer. 
• Improve metabolic health^[4] - Drinking caffeinated coffee has been shown to reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders, which are known risk factors for cancer.  
• Reduce incidence of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s - Coffee drinkers can significantly reduce their risk of both Parkinson’s^[5] and Alzheimer’s^[6], with some studies showing as much as a 30% risk reduction of each disease for individuals drinking 3-4 cups daily.

It’s important to note that caffeine is a stimulant, and individual responses to caffeinated coffee can vary based on genetics, metabolism, and overall diet and lifestyle. Not everyone can tolerate caffeine, but if you do consume caffeinated beverages, the benefits of choosing coffee are wide-ranging and well-established.