• the217
• Food + Drink
• Coffee and your health

Related Media

Related Articles

• One bean, two brews
• Introducing the Moka Pot
• Espresso brings warmth and satisfaction to even the coldest of winter days
• The Health Benefits of Wine

We have all heard that coffee can stain your teeth, make you jittery, or even dehydrate your body, among other even more ominous side affects. Drinking one too many cups of the stuff can turn a perfectly normal person into a crazed, high-strung, out-of-control fiend who would try to do a million things at once – if they could only keep still for a second or two. This, however, is just one portrayal of how coffee can affect our bodies and our daily lives.

The truth is that if one were to drink 2 to 3 cups of coffee every day while following an otherwise healthy daily routine, no negative consequences could be expected to arise. If anything, the positive results of drinking coffee are more psychological than nutritional. That general feeling of well-being stems from increased alertness and an end to that sluggish, groggy feeling each morning. Coffee and espresso stimulate our nervous system, providing this slight emotional elation. Anyone can log onto WebMD to discover that a person’s reflexes will also improve after drinking a cup or two of coffee. This occurs because of the caffetannic acid found in coffee and espresso.

Studies have shown that coffee drinkers are also up to 80% less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease. The beverage has even been known to help prevent colon cancer and diabetes. And here’s one that surprised me: drinking coffee or espresso lowers the risk of getting cavities! I would have thought that the complete opposite were true. Apparently, compounds within the drink have antibacterial properties. Some people even use coffee to manage their asthma.

Overall, the most important factor is coffee (and espresso) consumption. Just aim for moderation, not excess, and it will be very unlikely that you will experience any unwanted consequences.