The Pros & Cons Of Coffee
How does coffee really affect your body?
Written by Shelby Evans, Staff Writer
A typical discourse on college campuses is how many cups of coffee a student consumes in one day. Some limit themselves to one, others drink at least two throughout the day, others brag about drinking four cold brews a day. Caffeine addiction is common among students but the health impacts of it are still widely disputed.
There are some serious health risks related to excessive coffee drinking. According to the Mayo Clinic, there is a a common genetic mutation that causes certain people to metabolise caffeine slower. If these people have more than two cups a day it may increase the risk of heart disease. Young children are warned against drinking coffee because it is said to deter growth, and some worry it will cause heart disease and studies show that large amounts of consumption of espresso lead to increased cholesterol.
Then there’s the fact that caffeine is technically a drug and has addictive qualities. A habitual drinker who tries to skip a day of or quit coffee can suffer withdrawal symptoms such as headaches or nausea.
These are side effects that the American Heart Association warns against. But for those students who couldn’t possibly give up the drink, there is also research to support its health benefits.
For example, frequent consumption has been connected to a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease and type 2 diabetes. Coffee is also a source of antioxidants that help take care of cells and is linked to a lower rate of depression and a higher cognitive ability.
Coffee may be related to a lower risk of total mortality, and even a lower risk of cardiovascular related mortality. Caffeine is said to sharpen mental focus and can improve athletic performance in a workout.
So how do you minimize those health risks and maximize the health benefits of coffee? Firstly, it’s important to avoid adding creamers or sugar. These ingredients can increase the calories with low nutritional value and negatively affect you.
The science shows that drinking up to five cups of black coffee a day can actually be considered part of a healthy diet. So reaching for another cup, as long as black, probably isn’t going to kill you.
Stop feeling guilty for wanting it when you get out of bed in the morning, or when you’re trying to do your school work. Coffee, like most everything, can be good for when consumed in moderation, not excessively. Going to a coffee shop with friends, chugging espresso when cramming for a test or starting your morning with a latte have become a standard part of the college experience. Make healthy choices about caffeine consumption and additives and you should be fine to keep your coffee habit!