Myths and Facts About Coffee

August 16, 2017 Guide for FnN

Are you one of those who cannot start their day without a cup of coffee? Well you are not alone. Coffee is one of the world’s most consumed beverages in the morning, during the breaks, and in fact there is no right time when you want your cup of caffeine. Have you ever wondered is coffee good or bad for you or how much you should consume in a day or some of the myths about coffee? Here are some misconceptions and facts about coffee.

Myths and Facts About Coffee

Myths about Coffee

True or false?

Coffee will help you lose weight: True

According to the MayoClinic, coffee suppresses your appetite and burns calories

Coffee dehydrates you: False

Coffee has a slight diuretic effect (i.e. it makes you pee) but that does not mean it dehydrated you. In fact, while it’s not as good as water, recent research clearly shows coffee has a net hydrating effect.

Facts about Coffee

Average caffeine content per cup (in mg)

Drip coffee	115-175
Expresso	100
Brewed	80-135
Instant	65-100
Decaf, brewed	3-4
Decaf, instant	2-3

Possible weight gain (calories):

Whipped cream (4 oz.)	77
Macho, caramel (per pump)	25
Sugar pocket	15
Flavored creamer (1 Tbsp.)	15-35
Whole milk (2 Tbsp.)	18
Nonfat milk (2 Tbsp.)	11
Soy milk (2 Tbsp.)	17

Research on Coffee Consumption

Women who drank at least 5 cups a day were 57% less likely to have estrogen receptor-negative cancer than those who drank less than a cup a day. Heavy coffee drinkers had 20% less risks of contracting any kind of breast cancer when age was taken into account.

Men who drank at least 6 cups a day were 60% less likely than no-coffee drinkers to develop the most lethal form of prostate cancer. They were 20% less likely to develop any of the disease. Men who drank 1-3 cups per day were 30% less likely to develop the deadliest form of prostate cancer.

Positive effects of coffee

Coffee and its antioxidants-caffeine and other organic compounds have been shown to have positive effects on a wide range of health problems.
Protects against neurodegenerative diseases, improves heart health, protects against cancer, protects against diabetes, fights depression, improves physical performance, improves asthma control
Just inhaling the aroma of coffee may reverse the effects that stress and sleep deprivation have on your body.
Coffee is most effective if consumed between 9:30 am and 11:30 am.
Its consumption has been associated with decreased risk of breast, endometrial, prostate and liver cancers, and those linked with obesity, oestrogen and insulin.
Coffee stimulates the hair roots by improving its structure and growth.
Good for the garden: Used coffee grounds benefit many plants, adding nitrogen to the soil.

Negative effects of coffee

Even though caffeine can have positive effects, over consumption may cause negative results:

Negative effects may include:
Changes in sleep pattern, may cause auditory hallucinations
Hampers absorption of some minerals and vitamins, such as magnesium, zinc, and iron
Can raise blood pressure
Mild diuretic could lead dehydration and a loss of vitamin B and C as well as calcium, iron and zinc
Can strain teeth
Acids can aggravate heartburn
Large doses of coffee can be lethal. Ten grams or 100 cups over 4 hours can kill the average human.
Environmental effects: when roasting the beans, coffee contains hundreds of compounds, some brought out during the roasting process; some of the carcinogens produced by the high heat of roasting include creosote, pyrimidine, tars and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.