Pros & Cons Of Coffee & Health

Caffeine is the world's most popular central nervous system stimulant. According to Coffeeresearch.org, more than 50 percent of adult Americans drink coffee on a daily basis. Coffee can help you focus and it can elevate your mood. It also has other health benefits. The caffeine in coffee is highly addictive. If you drink more than three cups of regular coffee a day, its effects can be harmful to your health.

Function

The caffeine in coffee works to activate your mental alertness. Coffee increases the activity of your nervous system and heightens your arousal. It also functions as a mild diuretic. Regular and decaffeinated coffee contain high levels of antioxidants. Antioxidants are encouraged in a healthy diet and may reduce your risk for many diseases, including heart disease and cancer.

Effects

Caffeine acts as a low-level antidepressant by raising your body's levels of serotonin and dopamine. NPR reports that as you age, you may become more sensitive to the effect of caffeine in coffee. Your genetic makeup,and body size also seem to play a part in your level of caffeine sensitivity. Caffeine will generally effect you more if you have a smaller body size, according to NPR. If you drink a cup of coffee with a meal or snack, the caffeine will be absorbed more slowly and will have a more gradual effect.

Types

MayoClinic.com shows that the caffeine content of coffee varies depending upon the type of coffee you consume. The average amount of caffeine in an 8 oz. cup of brewed coffee has 100 mg of caffeine but brewed coffee sometimes contains as much as 200 mg of caffeine per serving. Instant coffee has less caffeine per serving. Expresso contains an average of 60 to 75 mg of caffeine per oz. If you are a fan of double shots, your caffeine intake can add up.

Benefits

MayoClinic.com reports that if you drink coffee in moderation, which generally means three cups of coffee per day or less, it may lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, liver cancer, and Parkinson's disease. Coffee may also reduce your risk of gallstones, prevent colon cancer, and improve cognitive function and endurance performance, according to "Harvard Health Publications," Harvard Medical School.

Warning

If you drink a lot of coffee, it may stain your teeth. Drinking decaffeinated coffee after 3 p.m. may help prevent you from having difficulty falling asleep. Since the caffeine in coffee is addictive, you may experience withdrawal symptoms, such as severe headaches if you try to stop drinking regular coffee. According to PubMed.gov, elderly men who consume large amounts of coffee may be at risk for loss of bone mineral density.