Is coffee actually healthy?
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Time to read 9 min
Coffee is one of the most studied and studied chemical substances in the world. After all, coffee is our favorite drink for tired mornings and lazy afternoons.
So today we ask ourselves the question, is coffee actually healthy? Are there proven advantages and disadvantages of drinking coffee for your health? Let's go!
Contents
Coffee & Health
There are some scientific studies and research on the subject of coffee and health. It must be said that the connections between coffee and human health are very complex. Studies and investigations are often somewhat contradictory and the findings are of course constantly evolving.
By the way: the EFSA recommends a caffeine intake of 400 mg per day (around 5.7 mg/kg) spread over the entire day
KG/day) should not be exceeded. Approximately 4 cups of coffee are safe for a healthy adult. Would you like to know how much caffeine an espresso actually contains and how much a coffee contains? This way.
Is coffee inflammatory?
A clear example of the mixed results of the study is the discourse about the connection between coffee and inflammation in the body.
There is a widespread belief that coffee can be inflammatory. Here too, science disagrees. There are isolated studies that see a connection between inflammation and heavy coffee consumption.
However, there are also some studies that show that coffee contains some compounds that can inhibit inflammatory processes in the body. Coffee contains chlorogenic acid, which acts as an antioxidant and can fight inflammation. Studies have shown that coffee consumption may be associated with a reduced risk of certain inflammatory diseases such as Parkinson's disease, liver disease and type 2 diabetes.
Many scientists say that the evidence that coffee drinkers are less likely to develop diabetes is clear, but the exact reason for this is not yet clear. Coffee apparently improves sensitivity to the hormone insulin. The body can process sugar better. Certain substances that the body releases after consumption also have a positive effect on your blood vessels and are anti-inflammatory.
Coffee therefore has more of an anti-inflammatory effect. Of course, the same applies here: the quantity makes the poison.
Benefits of coffee for health
Now there's the good news. There are a number of potential health benefits when you consume coffee in moderation. Here you go!
Benefit 1: Antioxidant effect of coffee
Coffee contains a variety of antioxidants that can fight free radicals in the body and reduce cell damage.
Benefit 2: Increase mental and cognitive performance through coffee
There are studies that exclusively look at the connection between coffee and cognitive performance. Coffee consumption is associated with reduced mental decline and other cognitive impairments in old age.
The caffeine it contains can also briefly improve your attention, concentration and mood.
Benefit 3: Preventing illnesses with coffee
Regular consumption of coffee has been linked to a reduced risk of diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and type 2 diabetes. Incidentally, decaffeinated coffee is also said to be effective against diabetes. So that means it's not just caffeine that is medicine.
Morning coffee is said to support lung and liver health. However, the latter clearly applies to caffeine: chemically speaking, it belongs to the same class of active ingredients as the asthma drug theophylline. Asthma patients were treated with caffeine as early as the 19th century.
There are even studies that show that regular coffee consumption reduces overall mortality by 16% and the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease by 21%.
Benefit 4: Improvement in physical performance through coffee
In addition to studies examining how coffee affects cognitive performance, there are also studies on improving physical performance. Caffeine can increase fat burning and improve physical endurance during exercise. By the way, we're talking about 3 to 6 mg/kg body weight here - that's a lot of coffee in our system!
Filter coffee for a healthier life?
Interestingly, there is a Norwegian study that sees a connection between health and filtered coffee. It is believed that two oils, kahweol and cafestol, which tend to be harmful to health, are simply filtered out through the paper filter. It is also assumed that the polyphenols contained in filter coffee have a health-promoting effect. Incidentally, light roasted coffee beans contain far more of these polyphenols than dark roasts.
That sounds super good at first - so let's all drink more coffee!
Unfortunately, science is not that simple. Of course, these studies quickly reach their limits and there are criticisms to be made. For example, much of the data collected was recorded by people themselves. Of course, there is room for inaccuracies and subjective misjudgments. In addition, the studies often do not clearly define what type of coffee and how much coffee they actually refer to.
So we can remain skeptical and now turn our attention to the downside of our favorite drink.
Disadvantages of coffee for health
Disadvantage 1: Coffee & Effects on Sleep
I think we can all agree on this: good sleep is important for our health. As you probably know, caffeine can disrupt our sleep rhythms and lead to sleep disorders, especially if you grab a cup of coffee in the late afternoon or evening. However, it all depends on your individual tolerance and therefore the half-life of caffeine.
This is the time it takes for your body to break down half of the caffeine it has consumed. This varies greatly among adults and depends on factors such as age, body weight, medication use and liver health.
In healthy adults, the average half-life is about four hours, but can vary between two and eight hours. So caffeine stays in our system for quite a long time. Then we can't sleep and wake up tired again in the morning. And then? Let's grab the coffee again. You may understand where I'm going.
Disadvantage 2: Caffeine addiction from coffee
We also need to talk about the issue of addiction. That's what drugs are like. Regular coffee consumption can lead to a physical and psychological dependence on caffeine. If you suddenly stop drinking, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and irritability.
Disadvantage 3: Stomach problems from coffee?
Some people are sensitive to coffee and develop stomach problems such as heartburn and stomach irritation as they get older. But that's not because of coffee per se. All acidic foods can irritate our stomach and lead to chronic stomach problems with a poor diet and an unhealthy lifestyle. Stomach problems cannot therefore be directly attributed to coffee consumption.
Disadvantage 4: Individual disadvantages from coffee
Of course, regular coffee consumption can also have a negative effect on your body. For some people, coffee can trigger anxiety, heart palpitations, or high blood pressure. Pregnant women, people with certain health conditions, and those taking certain medications may want to limit or avoid their caffeine consumption.
Certain antibiotics, for example, slow down the breakdown of caffeine in the body. If you are unsure, please talk to your doctor about possible drug interactions.
If you're struggling with sleep disorders or medication-related interactions, that doesn't necessarily mean giving up coffee. We have really delicious, decaffeinated coffee in our range. You will hardly taste the difference.
Just as healthy and delicious as with, but without caffeine.
Delicious and healthy. Decaffeinated coffee has exactly the same health benefits, without the caffeine. In addition, it is more tolerable for people who suffer from one of our biggest illnesses: stress. In addition, people with sensitive stomachs often tolerate it better.
And: Real coffee lovers like to drink a deliciously aromatic cup of coffee in the evening. And still want to sleep well!
That's why you'll find the best decaffeinated coffees from our partner roasters. One roasting company even specializes exclusively in roasting decaf.
OHNE's mission is to make coffee enjoyment unlimited for everyone. They only use the best green coffee qualities and the highest quality, natural decaffeination processes. Here you will find all our delicious decafs .
Is black coffee healthier than coffee with milk?
Science has a relatively clear answer to this question: yes!
Does autophagy mean anything to you? This is a process in our body that breaks down old and dead cell parts and creates space for new, healthy cells. A natural cleansing and detoxification of our body.
Normally, autophagy is only activated during periods of hunger or when there is a calorie deficit, but with the help of black coffee we can also stimulate this natural regeneration.
A study by the University of Graz shows that black coffee in particular is an autophagy trigger. One to four hours after consumption, increased autophagy activity was found in all organs examined, liver, heart and skeletal muscles. There was no difference between decaffeinated and regular coffee, so it's not the caffeine. Rather, the scientists suspect that the secondary plant substances, the polyphenols, trigger the effect of autophagy.
Unfortunately, the addition of milk negates many of the positive effects of black coffee. But why is that so? The animal proteins contained in milk are responsible for this, especially the amino acid methionine. This is problematic for all lovers of milky coffee, cappuccino and latte macchiatto: animal proteins inhibit the autophagy process.
Plant-based alternatives could be a tasty and healthy solution here. Are you looking for barista milk alternatives for your beloved cappuccino, latte, etc.? This way!
Conclusion: Is coffee healthy now?
If you ended up here, I'm assuming you love coffee as much as we do.
The morning ritual, the art of brewing in all its facets, all the moments of pausing and simply enjoying the time for you - that's what makes our beloved coffee simply wonderful. And what would a healthy life be if you couldn't enjoy what you love?
In summary, it can be said with a clear conscience that there is some evidence that coffee has health benefits for us. We can tell you with a relatively high degree of certainty: coffee is definitely not unhealthy.
As long as your coffee consumption doesn't disrupt your sleep and mental well-being and you also enjoy caffeine in moderation, coffee is healthy and OK for your body. It is important to observe your own body and adapt caffeine consumption to your individual needs and tolerance.
That's good news for us coffee lovers.
Now you can continue to discover the world of specialty coffee with peace of mind. Our online shop with more than 300 coffees leaves nothing to be desired.
Have fun shopping!
FAQ Coffee & Health
Is coffee actually healthy?
Coffee can offer potential health benefits when consumed in moderation. However, excessive consumption can have negative effects. It is important that you observe your own body and adapt your consumption accordingly. Pregnant women, people with certain health conditions, and those taking certain medications may want to limit or avoid their caffeine consumption. Certain antibiotics, for example, slow down the breakdown of caffeine in the body. If you are unsure, please talk to your doctor about possible drug interactions.
Is Coffee Pro-Inflammatory?
The fact that coffee has an inflammatory effect has never been proven uncontested. The chemical substance contains some compounds that can affect inflammatory processes. However, science disagrees here. There are isolated studies that see a connection between inflammation and heavy coffee consumption. However, there are also some studies that show that coffee contains some compounds that can have a positive effect on inflammatory processes in the body. Coffee contains chlorogenic acid, which acts as an antioxidant and can fight inflammation.
How much coffee can I drink per day?
The recommended amount of coffee varies, but generally moderate consumption of up to four cups per day is considered acceptable. However, it is important to consider individual tolerance.
Can coffee affect my sleep?
Yes, coffee contains caffeine, which has a stimulating effect and can affect your sleep cycle. It is recommended to limit consumption in the late afternoon and evening to promote your sleep quality. How about a delicious decaf in the evening?
Can coffee make you addicted?
Regular coffee consumption can lead to physical and psychological dependence on caffeine. If you withdraw suddenly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as headaches and irritability.
Can coffee increase the risk of cardiovascular disease?
The connection between coffee and cardiovascular disease is complex. Moderate coffee consumption has been linked to a reduced risk of certain cardiovascular diseases. However, for sensitive individuals or those with certain health conditions, coffee can cause heart palpitations or high blood pressure.
Are there decaffeinated alternatives to coffee?
Yes, there are a variety of decaffeinated coffees available today. Some of our roasters even specialize in roasting caffeine-free coffee beans.
