The pros and cons of coffee illustrates just how complex this seemingly simple beverage really is. There is no question that coffee in all its many forms is one of the most enduringly popular drinks in the world. Some people love a plain black cup, while others prefer coffee with flavors and other fixings. Some love iced coffee, while others prefer to go the decaffeinated route. Simply put, if you’re planning to drink coffee for the very first time tomorrow, you’re going to have a ton of options.
Whether you’re a longtime coffee fan, or if you are considering adding coffee to your diet for the very first time, you want to be aware of the pros and cons of coffee.
The Pros of Coffee
Coffee can be very good for you. Don’t let anyone tell you any different. There are a host of health benefits associated with coffee. These benefits have been tested and proven over and over again. They are very much for real. However, it is important to remember that the benefits of coffee are only truly realized when coffee is taken in moderation. Abusing coffee can lead to a variety of problems, but we’ll get to that later. In terms of coffee pros, here’s what you need to know:
1. Reduce risk of diabetes.
Coffee can reduce the potential for diabetes. Studies indicate that those who drink four to six cups of coffee a day can reduce their risk of getting diabetes by as much as thirty-percent, as opposed to those who only drink a couple of cups of coffee per day. It is worth noting that if you’re concerned about ingesting too much caffeine, this particular health benefit of coffee is consistent with both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee.
2. Combats free radicals.
Coffee is capable of combating free radicals. This is one of the oldest benefits touted by coffee drinkers, and it is absolutely true. Coffee contains over one thousand phytochemicals, many of which are antioxidants. These antioxidants can work to prevent certain diseases, while also protecting your cells from being damaged by free radicals.
3. Improve memory and cognitive functions.
Coffee can improve memory functions and cognitive functions. Coffee has been proven again and again to work wonders for our memories and our cognitive abilities. If you find yourself better able to concentrate in the morning after that first cup, there’s a reason for that. Coffee cooperates nicely with the parts of the brain that are responsible for both memory and cognitive abilities. Coffee can also help with these things as we get older.
These are some of the most attractive benefits of coffee. However, these are not the only things about drinking coffee that should be kept in mind.
The Cons of Coffee
While there are some great benefits to enjoying coffee in its many splendid forms, there are also some side effects and drawbacks that deserve to be taken seriously. If you want to know absolutely everything there is to know about coffee, then keep the following cons in mind:
1. All coffee is not created equal.
Not all coffee drinks are alike. If you’re the kind of person who wants the fanciest coffee drink imaginable from Starbucks, that’s fine. Just keep in mind that all the sugar and other components added to the more elaborate coffee drinks can dull some of the benefits.
2. Lead to osteoporosis.
Coffee usage can potentially lead to osteoporosis. When we drink coffee, we excrete calcium in our urine. The problem with this is that when we lose a lot of calcium, we open ourselves up to the possibility of developing osteoporosis later on down the line. However, a little milk or even yogurt in your coffee can counter this side effect.
3. Leads to wrinkles.
Coffee drinking can give you wrinkles. One of the downsides to coffee is that even though it comes packed with antioxidants, there is the potential for dehydration, as well. Simply put, drinking way too much coffee during the day can dehydrate your body to the point of making it more susceptible to wrinkles. Drinking water or water with chia seeds can counter this problem.
4. Weight gain.
Coffee can cause you to gain weight. Notice how coffee with a donut is even better than just a cup of coffee? That’s because caffeine highs can spike our blood sugar levels, causing us to crave sweets and other things.
5. Loaded with pesticides.
Many store-brand coffees are loaded with pesticides.
Is Coffee Good For You?
Is coffee really good for you? Fanatics of the bean will point to the vast array of health benefits that come from drinking and enjoying coffee in moderation. Others will suggest that because of the negative health associations with the beverage, staying away from coffee entirely is really the best and only course of action.
Which of the above groups is correct? To be honest, both of them are. If you want to have a complete picture of what coffee is capable of, then you are going to want to take coffee pros as seriously as you take coffee cons.