Women’s Health

A cup of joe has never been my “cup of tea,” but I’ve read numerous studies on the subject over the years.  In the past, there had been concerns about women’s health and drinking coffee.  While there are studies that suggest that eliminating caffeine can affect PMS, fibrocystic breasts, and mineral absorption, none have have produced any causative, conclusive clinical link.  Females during their child-bearing years and those that breast feed should exercise caution, as should be done with any chemical that you ingest since it’s passed to the fetus/infant.   Proponents of coffee tout a wide array of benefits such as reduced risks of Type 2 diabetes risk, cirrhosis, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s.  Some even used it to aid in weight loss.  Again, all of this is circumstantial and there are much more effective ways to improve your health, so take it with a grain of salt (or sugar).

Designer Coffee

When I hear about some of the menu options at popular coffee shops these days, the ingredients sound like the dessert section of a restaurant menu.  I guess coffee with cream got too boring (or the profit margins were too slim for manufacturers).  Vanilla bean frappuccino and pumpkin spice latte not only sound like Italian pastries, but they can negatively affect your health if consumed in excess.  High calories ingredients like HFCS and dairy won’t do your heart or waistline any favors.  I’ve written about the dangers of HFCS (high-fructose corn syrup) in a previous post, and will continue to write more as this is a controversial topic.  So, use some moderation as these beverages contain sneaky calories that can derail an otherwise healthy lifestyle.

Caffeine

Caffeine, coffee’s principal ingredient, is an addictive stimulant, and can result in full-fledged addiction in some people.  How many co-workers do you know who simply cannot get their day started without their cup of joe?  In low amounts, it does produce a sense of alertness, well-being and even euphoria.  In some, it can cause insomnia, however.  Although it doesn’t present the same risks, caffeine sounds eerily similar to other substances.  This is because, it crosses the blood-brain barrier and increases dopamine which affects the pleasure centers in your brain.  Again, its effects are not as insidious as illicit drugs , but the mechanism is the same.  Also, once the “high” from caffeine wears off, consumers tend to fight fatigue and even depression.  Taking all of this into consideration will hopefully make you think twice about drinking any caffeinated beverage in high amounts.

Bottom Line

A recent Harvard University study research suggests that one or two cups of coffee a day is probably not harmful.  Higher amounts over a long period of time can have a negative impact on your health though.  Adding sugary, high fat, high calorie ingredients coupled with a poor diet will turn your harmless cup of coffee into something altogether different and invite all the associated risks that come with it.

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