What Does Coffee Do To Your Health?

That morning cup of coffee may be a valuable part of a healthy lifestyle for some people. Coffee contains close to 2,000 compounds, including niacin, vitamin E, potassium and magnesium. And, among coffee drinkers, it is a significant source of antioxidants. With 56 percent of Americans drinking the beverage daily, according to the National Coffee Association, understanding how coffee affects your health is a question worth evaluating.

Diabetes

One promising effect of having a cup of "joe" every day is related to the development of Type 2 diabetes. Rachel Huxley, Ph.D., and colleagues at the University of Sydney in Australia reviewed 18 studies looking at coffee drinkers and their diabetes risk. In the December 2009 issue of "Archives of Internal Medicine" Huxley reported a 40 percent reduction in risk with individuals drinking six or more cups of coffee per day compared with nondrinkers. Decaffeinated coffee drinkers also benefit. The study found individuals who drank three to four cups of the beverage had a one-third reduction in Type 2 diabetes risk.

Cancer

In 1991, the International Agency Research on Cancer implicated coffee as a causative agent for bladder cancer. Until recently, few studies have been available to support this claim. Lenore Arab, investigator at the David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California reviewed epidemiological studies relating coffee consumption to various types of cancer. Arab concluded in the April 2010 issue of "Nutrition and Cancer," there is a "strong and consistent protective association" between coffee consumption and liver and uterine cancers. No protective association exists for breast, pancreatic, kidney, ovarian, prostate or stomach cancers. And bladder cancer appears to be associated with intakes greater than five cups per day in men but not women.

Parkinson's Disease

Since the late 1960s, researchers have suspected higher consumption of coffee reduced the risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The effect was reported in men alone until recently. The July 2008 issue of the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition" reported heavy coffee consumption -- greater than 10 cups per day -- lowered Parkinson's disease incidence in both men and women. Lead researcher for the study, Dr. Katri Saaksjarvi also stated coffee's effect was greater in overweight individuals and those with low cholesterol levels. The exact mechanism of protection is unclear.

Pregnancy

Not everyone benefits from extra cups of coffee throughout the day. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends pregnant women limit intake of caffeine from coffee and other caffeinated beverages to 200mg per day, the amount in a 12 oz. serving of coffee. The organization commented in August 2010 that moderate caffeine consumption does not appear to increase the risk of miscarriage, premature delivery or stunt fetal growth but the effects of larger amounts is unknown.

Stimulant Effects

Caffeine, a compound in coffee, is considered a mildly addictive stimulant by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It increases alertness, improves cognitive function and produces slight increases in blood pressure and heart rate. People who stop drinking coffee frequently experience headaches, fatigue, decreased alertness, irritability and depression within 12 to 24 hours. Coffee may also increase anxiety symptoms in susceptible individuals. The caffeine content of coffee varies, depending on how it's brewed. Be aware of your body's reaction to the beverage.