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10 MOST COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT COFFEE:MYTHS VERSUS FACTS

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10 MOST COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT COFFEE. MYTHS VERSUS FACTS

Q. Can I Still Drink Coffee While I'm Pregnant?

Multiple studies have shown no interaction between a lower amount of caffeine (1cup of coffee/day) with birth defects, premature birth, low birth rate, trouble conceiving, or miscarriage.1

Q. Is Coffee Causing Those Aching Joints?

For most healthy individuals, 2 or 3 cups of coffee cause no harm. However, a higher intake of caffeine - about more than 744 milligrams/ day might increase magnesium and calcium loss in urine. But recently conducted studies suggest that caffeine intake does not increase the risk of bone disorders or bone loss, especially if calcium intake is adequate.1

Q. Is coffee bad for the heart or not?

Many large studies conducted showed no relationship between caffeine to higher cholesterol, irregular heartbeats, or an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, individuals with higher sensitivity to caffeine can depict a slight or temporary rise in heart rate and blood pressure. Also, more research is needed to tell whether caffeine increases the risk for stroke in people with high blood pressure or not.1

Q. Can coffee stunt your growth as a child?

Caffeine (around 22 milligrams) that is well within recommended limit does not harm children or their growth. However, energy drinks that consist of a lot more amount of caffeine with higher sugar contents are becoming popular these days. Even if the caffeine itself isn't harmful, high consumption of calories in caffeinated drinks is generally not good for kids.1

Q. Does coffee cause cancer?

This is hilarious! Reviews of 13 studies involving 20,000 people revealed absolutely no relationship between cancer and caffeine. In fact, Low (40 mg, 0.5 mg kg−1) to moderate (300 mg, 4 mg kg−1) intake of caffeine doses improve cognition. Thereby, caffeine may even have a protective effect against certain cancers.1,2

Q. Can drinking coffee cause dehydration?

Although caffeine is a mild diuretic and brings an urge to urinate, studies results clearly depict that consuming caffeine in moderation doesn’t have dehydrating effects.1

Q. Can you mix alcohol and coffee?

Research suggests that it’s only in psychology that caffeine helps people sober up. Many people think that caffeine with alcohol makes them fine behind the wheel. But the truth is time, ref ex, and judgment are still impaired under influence of alcohol.1

Q. Why can’t I sleep when I drink coffee?

Caffeine is quickly absorbed by our body and it is also eliminated quickly. As caffeine is metabolized mainly in the liver, some of it sticks for a longer duration in the body. Caffeine sensitivity varies from person to person, depending on their metabolism, amount of caffeine intake, and sleep pattern. Apparently, for most people, one or two cups of coffee in the morning hours won't interfere with sleep at night.1,2

Q. Is coffee a healthy addiction?

Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. It has the potential to enhance concentration, increase metabolism, and boost mood. Caffeine in moderation doesn’t threaten physical, social, or economic health as street drugs or alcohol. Thereby, experts do not consider caffeine dependence an addiction.1-3

Q. Is coffee good for health or not?

Caffeine has a list of potential health benefits. Caffeine improves alertness, concentration, energy, clear-headedness, and rings feelings of sociability. However, these scientifically proven health benefits are subjective findings. Few limited studies suggest that caffeine intake may also reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease, liver disease, colorectal cancer, type 2 diabetes, and dementia. Despite Caffeine’s potential benefits, please don't forget that high levels of caffeine may have adverse effects.2,3

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Summary

Coffee is one of the most commonly consumed beverages worldwide. As such, even small individual health effects could be important on a population scale. There have been mixed conclusions as to whether coffee consumption is beneficial or harmful to health, and this varies between outcomes.
Publisher’s name- Dr. Dangs Lab

References :
  1. Caffeine Myths and Facts, accessed on 23/09/2021. Available at
    https://www.webmd.com/diet/caffeine-myths-and-facts#3-5
  2. Caffeine Addiction And Abuse, accessed on 23/09/2021. Available at
    https://www.addictioncenter.com/stimulants/caffeine/
  3. McLellan T, Caldwell J, Lieberman H. A review of caffeine’s -, effects on cognitive, physical and occupational performance. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews.2016;71:294-312.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion.


Related Articles
  1. Poole R, Kennedy OJ, Roderick P, Fallowfield JA, Hayes PC, Parkes J. Coffee consumption and health: umbrella review of meta-analyses of multiple health outcomes [published correction appears in BMJ. 2018 Jan 12;360:k194]. BMJ. 2017;359:j5024. Published 2017 Nov 22. doi:10.1136/bmj.j5024
    (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5696634/)
  2. Kennedy OJ, Roderick P, Buchanan R, Fallowfield JA, Hayes PC, Parkes J. Systematic review with meta-analysis: coffee consumption and the risk of cirrhosis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2016;43:562-74. 10.1111/apt.13523 pmid:26806124.
    (https://www.research.ed.ac.uk/en/publications/systematic-review-with-metaanalysis-coffee-consumption-and-the-ri)
  3. Guertin KA, Loftfield E, Boca SM, et al. Serum biomarkers of habitual coffee consumption may provide insight into the mechanism underlying the association between coffee consumption and colorectal cancer. Am J Clin Nutr 2015;101:1000-11. 10.3945/ajcn.114.096099 pmid:25762808.
    (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4409687/)
  4. International Coffee Organization. The Current State of the Global Coffee Trade. CoffeeTradeStats. 2016.
    (https://www.ico.org/monthly_coffee_trade_stats.asp)