There’s a whole culture surrounding coffee. Millions of people won’t start their day without it. They use it to wake up them up in the morning and even give them an energy boost later in the day. Some people find it helps them to focus better and be more productive.
However, too much coffee can lead to feelings of nervousness or sleeplessness in some people so it’s important not to have too much. If you have a high tolerance, you may be able to reap some health benefits.
Benefits of Coffee
Coffee appears to be quite beneficial in small amounts. We all know that it can give you a much-needed boost of energy but that’s not the only perk. The caffeine can boost your metabolic rate and help you to burn fat faster. It also increases the level of adrenaline in your body which makes you more capable of intense physical activity.
Even if you’re not looking to lose weight or lift more in the gym, coffee can still help. It is a source of antioxidants and nutrients like vitamins B2, B3, and B5 as well as manganese and potassium.
It has also been found that coffee can lower your risk of type two diabetes; Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, and Parkinson’s Disease. Studies show that people who drink coffee have a 23 to 50 percent lower risk of developing diabetes. In the case of Parkinson’s, the risk is reduced by 32 to 60 percent. It should be noted that no definitive causal link has been established. Coffee may also help to promote a healthy liver.
Downsides of Coffee
Given all these benefits, you may be wondering why coffee gets a bad rap sometimes. As with any other substance, not everyone’s body reacts in the same way. People vary in their level of caffeine tolerance. Some coffee drinkers get an immediate boost in their ability to focus. Others find coffee upsets their stomach or makes them nervous. Some report dizziness or tremors if they have too much.
Coffee can also make some pre-existing conditions worse. Speak to a doctor if you have anxiety, panic disorders, high blood pressure, arrhythmia or any other medical problem. These may make you more sensitive to the effects of caffeine. The same applies if you are taking medication.
So How Much Coffee Should You have?
According to the Mayo Clinic, most adults can safely use 400 milligrams of caffeine per day. That’s about four cups of coffee. Many of the benefits mentioned above also seem to be linked to four to five cups per day. Of course, if one cup increases your heart rate or upsets your stomach, you should listen to your body. If you’re drinking coffee for the flavor and not the energy boost, then you can opt for blends without caffeine.
Pregnant women are also advised to cut out coffee completely or only use one or two cups per day. Excessive use of caffeine during pregnancy has been linked to a heightened risk of premature delivery, stillbirth, and miscarriage.
Coffee is flavorful, energy-boosting and linked to many health benefits. A few cups a day is generally safe for adults but you need to learn how sensitive your body is to caffeine. If you don’t notice any negative effects, you may want to cut back your consumption.
