Drinking coffee is associated with a number of health benefits, including reduced risk for Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, colon cancer and even suicide. However, on the negative side, coffee can cause a number of problems for susceptible individuals, particularly in large doses.
Coffee and Hypoglycemia
Caffeine causes a release of glycogen by the liver, which can generate wild swings in blood sugar, causing attacks of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Hypoglycemia has a variety of unpleasant symptoms, including weakness, nervousness, sweating and heart palpitations.
Coffee and Cholesterol
In some individuals, coffee can raise cholesterol, which increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Coffee and Fertility
Women who are pregnant or attempting to get pregnant should avoid excess caffeine consumption, which may increase the risk for a variety of fertility problems. Research into caffeine's effects on fertility has yielded mixed results, though a recent study found that the risk of miscarriage doubled with the consumption of 2 or more cups of coffee per day, and others have linked high caffeine consumption with reduced fertility. Numerous studies have also found caffeine consumption by pregnant women to be associated with low birth weight. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant women consume no more than 1 to 2 cups of coffee per day.
Coffee and Anxiety Symptoms
Caffeine can overstimulate the central nervous system. This not only causes anxiety in susceptible individuals, but can also exhaust the adrenal glands over time, decreasing resistance to stress and thus increasing vulnerability to disease pathogens and other health hazards (see the Caffeine page for a comparison of caffeine levels in popular foods and beverages).
Coffee and Osteoporosis
Because excess coffee consumption may prevent the full absorption of necessary minerals, it increases the risk of developing osteoporosis. A study of nearly 1,000 postmenopausal women found that long-term consumption of 2 or more cups of caffeinated coffee per day was associated with decreased bone density, regardless of age, alcohol and tobacco consumption, hormone use, and other factors. However, there are indications that these negative effects can be mitigated by adding milk.
Coffee Addiction
People who quit coffee often experience withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, headache, decreased energy and alertness, difficulty concentrating, and even irritability and depression. These symptoms usually begin within 12-24 hours of quitting caffeine and hit a peak within 20-51 hours. Overall, symptoms tend to last anywhere from 2-9 days.
Coffee and Stretch Marks
Dry skin is more prone to developing stretch marks. Coffee consumption increases the risk of stretch marks because it has a dehydrating effect.
Coffee and Weight Gain
Caffeine increases the risk of long-term weight gain by increasing stress hormones and creating a greater risk for hypoglycemia, which stimulates appetite. Although caffeine can assist with short-term weight loss, in the longer term, heavy consumption is more likely to lead to weight gain. Also, studies have indicated that green tea is better for maintaining a healthy weight than coffee.
Should You Drink Coffee?
People with any of the following conditions should avoid coffee altogether:
- Bladder or kidney problems
- Bowel problems such as colitis and diverticulitis
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Diabetes
- Fibrocystic breast disease
- Generalized anxiety and/or panic attacks
- Heart problems
- Hiatal hernia
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Hypoglycemia
- Indigestion
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Liver disease
- Menopause
- Osteoporosis or family history of osteoporosis
- PMS
- Prostate problems
- Skin irritations
- Ulcers
- Urinary tract irritation
Overall, the decision to consume coffee should be based on your personal health profile. If you suffer or are at risk for the conditions that coffee can aggravate, it is better to avoid it. If you are not at risk for these conditions, coffee consumption is unlikely to cause problems, and you may even realize a number of the health benefits associated with coffee.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be taken as medical advice. If you have any concerns regarding your health or whether coffee could aggravate any pre-existing medical condition, you should consult your doctor.
References:
- Barrett-Connor, E., & Chang, J.C., & Edelstein, S.L. (1994). "Coffee-Associated Osteoporosis Offset by Daily Milk Consumption." Journal of the American Medical Association, 271(4): 280-283.
- CARE Study Group. (2008). "Maternal Caffeine Intake During Pregnancy and Risk of Fetal Growth Restriction: A Large Prospective Observational Study." BMJ, 337: a2332.
- CTV News. (22 January 2008). "Caffeine Doubles Miscarriage Risk, Study Finds." CTV.ca.
- Ensminger, A.H. (1994). Foods and Nutrition Encyclopedia. CRC Press.
- Grodstein, Goldman, M.B., Ryan, L., & Cramer, D.W. (1993). "Relation of Female Infertility to Consumption of Caffeinated Beverages." American Journal of Epidemiology, 137(12): 1353-1360.
- Kaslow, J., MD. (n.d.). “Health Issues Associated with Coffee and Caffeine.” Drkaslow.com.
- Kerr et al. (1993). "Effect of Caffeine on the Recognition of and Responses to Hypoglycemia in Humans." Annals of Internal Medicine, 119(8): 799-804.
- Kirchheimer, S. (Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD, 2004). “Coffee, the New Health Food?” WebMD.
- Kovacs, B., MS, RD. (Reviewed by Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, 2007). “Caffeine.” MedicineNet.
- Mathur, R., MD. (Reviewed by William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR, 2005). “Hypoglycemia.” MedicineNet.
- ScienceDaily. (15 June 2007). "How Coffee Raises Cholesterol." ScienceDaily.com.
- WebMD in Collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic. (2003; edited by Cynthia Dennison Haines, MD, on 1 April 2005). “Stretch Marks.” MedicineNet.
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