From casual get-togethers to warm
family conversations, business meetings and friendly chats, coffee is a
beverage enjoyed at a variety of occasions by people all across the globe. Not
to forget the pleasure of the morning boost we get from our cherished cup of
coffee.
But like everything you enjoy, you may begin to wonder about the effects that
coffee has on our health. So based on the latest research, we bring to you 8
answers to the questions you might have on coffee:
1. Is coffee addictive?
While enjoying a cup of coffee maybe described as a habit and coffee is known to
act as a stimulant; this should not be confused with it being addictive.
Unlike other forms of addiction, coffee drinkers do not need to increase the
amount they drink over time. Neither do they experience problems if they drink
less than they are used to. Some people may experience mild withdrawal-like
symptoms, such as headaches when coffee is suddenly removed from their diet. On
the other hand, people who gradually reduce their caffeine intake over a couple
of days tend not to experience these symptoms.
2. Does coffee inhibit sleep?
That entirely depends on sensitivity to the effect of coffee. There are some
who consume caffeinated drinks during the evening and have no problem falling
asleep. While others who drink coffee before bed find it difficult to fall
asleep because of the mild stimulation it offers.
If you are particularly sensitive to the stimulating effects of caffeine,
simply avoid drinking coffee 4 hours before bedtime or switch to decaffeinated
coffee during the evening.
3. Does it cause heartburn?
Heartburn is experienced when acid from the stomach passes back into the food
pipe causing irritation and pain. This is called acid reflux.We have been told
for years that coffee, acidic fruit as well as spicy foods can aggravate acid reflux
and should therefore be avoided in our daily diet. However, recent research has
shown that only two behavioural changes can reduce symptoms of acid reflux –
eating less and elevating your head while sleeping.
Coffee and many other foods increase acid secretion in the stomach, but this
does not necessarily cause heartburn; although for some people it might. What
is recommended is to be aware of the foods that cause this and avoid it.
4. Does coffee lead to dehydration?
Caffeine has a mild diuretic effect; which means it slightly increases the
frequency of urination. However, recent evidence indicates that the increased
frequency does not affect the total amount of water lost. This is because the
diuretic effect of coffee is compensated by the water in it. So, a moderate
intake of coffee has no effect on long term hydration and actually counts in
the daily fluid intake.
Just remember, for proper hydration you need to drink at least 8 glasses of
water a day.
5. Does coffee increase blood pressure?
A cup of coffee may slightly increase your blood pressure temporarily. But it
returns to normal levels within 2 hours after drinking it. Hence, drinking
coffee in moderation does not increase the risk of developing blood pressure in
normal people.
But it may increase blood pressure in some people who already have a history of
high blood pressure. However, even though there have been previous studies,
there is still no clear answer about the association between coffee consumption
and hypertension.
6. Does coffee have an effect on calcium?
Although the amount of calcium in urine increases slightly after drinking
coffee, the net effect on calcium levels is negligible. This is because calcium
excretion decreases later during the day. Studies show that in moderation,
drinking coffee has no effect on bone health. In order to ensure strong and
healthy bones, you should make sure your diet contains adequate calcium,
approximately, 1000 mg a day for women aged 19-50 years.
7. What about coffee and headaches?
New research shows that coffee might help relieve headache symptoms. Caffeine
constricts blood vessels and helps counter the painful effect of blood vessel
dilatation in the head, which is the main cause of a headache.
8. Can I drink coffee when I’m pregnant?
You can now put your mind at ease as recent research indicates that a moderate
consumption of caffeine (two cups a day) for pregnant women is safe. If you
want more, opt for decaf instead. It is always advisable to consult your doctor
for any inquiries you may have during your pregnancy.
Now that you have all the answers to your coffee queries, it is also good to
know that new evidence indicates that the antioxidant-rich properties of coffee
can play a protective role for the body. To enjoy the benefits of drinking
coffee, just remember to keep your intake in moderate amounts of 300mg caffeine
/ day, which is equivalent to 3-4 cups.
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