A woman drinking and enjoying a cup of coffee and coffee benefits. Photo:  Kunal Agarwal

Coffee Benefits go beyond providing an energy boost. Scientific studies have shown that coffee has other health benefits. However, beyond the health benefits of coffee, consuming too much coffee can lead to Caffeine addiction.

BY KAZAD

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND— Charles Street in downtown Baltimore is a center of activities. There are offices, galleries, museums, restaurants, and many stores. The stores include small eateries and coffee shops. From Starbucks to Dunkin’ Donuts, Wawa, Panera Bread, and 7-Eleven, the long stretch of street has many coffee houses jostling for the attention of coffee drinkers.

Walking down Charles Street, it is not unusual to see a line of coffee drinkers waiting to get their coffee while others gingerly carry their coffee cups like fashion accessories as they navigate treacherous paths to their offices.  Coffee is so popular that people who do not have coffee shops around them have the option of searching for coffee shops near them using various phone apps. “I am constantly on the move for work, always looking coffee shops near me using apps on my phone,” said Melissa, an ardent coffee drinker who travels across Maryland for work.

Like many other streets across Baltimore, Charles Street exemplifies the frenzy that happens every morning as people dash for their early morning coffee. For many Baltimoreans, coffee is an essential part of daily existence. While some drink just one cup of coffee per day, others drink as many as five cups.

Theodore Roosevelt’s Coffee “Bathtub”

Baltimoreans who drink coffee follow in the long tradition of famous Americans who drank coffee. One of them was Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States. Throughout his life and the Presidency, Roosevelt was an ardent coffee drinker.  He had a favorite coffee mug that one of his sons described as a “bathtub” because of its size. 

Roosevelt’s love of coffee began from childhood when his parents gave him coffee to deal with his asthma. Through the years, he became fond of coffee and would not let go. At Harvard, many of his mates believed that coffee made Roosevelt lively and energetic.

What is a Coffee Bean?

The coffee we drink comes from the coffee bean found inside the Coffea plant. The bean resides in a pit inside the red and purple fruit often referred to as a cherry. The coffee bean is really not a bean: It is just like other cherries.  However, people call it coffee beans because of its bean-like shape. When roasted, the coffee becomes rich brown that many people are now familiar with.  The coffees we drink today fall into two main categories: Arabica and canephora also known as Robusta. Arabica is mostly found in specialty cafes and costs more than Robusta, which fuels instant coffee and some espressos.

Types of Coffee Drinks

As the love of coffee continues to grow, coffee producers and manufacturers have become more innovative in developing different types of coffee to captivate the hearts of coffee lovers. The list of coffee drinks is endless. They include Black coffee, Latte, Cappuccino, Americano, Espresso, Doppio, Cortado, Red Eye, Galão, Lungo, Macchiato, Mocha, Ristretto, Flat White, Affogato, Café au Lait, pumpkin spice, and Irish coffee.

Types of Iced Coffee

The change in weather does not stop people from drinking coffee. During summer, many coffee lovers change to iced coffee. Iced coffee, like hot coffee, comes in different flavors. Here is a list of the top summer Iced coffee:

• Iced Coffee
• Iced Espresso
• Cold Brew
• Frappuccino
• Nitro
• Mazagran
• Iced Caramel Macchiato

Do all Kinds of Coffee Have the Same Amount of Caffeine?

There are so many coffee brands that coffee lovers are constantly looking for the best coffee. Evidently, coffees are not created equal. While some are high in caffeine, others are not. Espresso has the highest concentration of caffeine. For instance, a one-ounce shot of Espresso contains about 70 milligrams of caffeine. Evidently, this is why espresso is consumed in small quantities. Unlike espresso, the typical 12-ounce serving of drip coffee has 200 milligrams.  A major challenge for coffee lovers is the uncertainty that comes from buying coffee from the coffeehouses: the level of caffeine is constantly fluctuating. 

Does Adding Milk or Sugar to Coffee Negate its Benefits?

Coffee Lovers have different ways of preparing their coffee. While some add milk and sugar, others drink it black. Does adding milk or sugar cancel out benefits from coffee? This is a question scientists and medical professionals have been battling with for decades without an adequate answer. Even doctors do not know the answer to this question. The closest answer comes from the 2015 study that concluded that adding a tablespoon of cream or milk, and a teaspoon of sugar does not take away the benefits derivable from coffee drinking. In fact, the study concluded that the gain of adding milk and sugar to coffee is the same as drinking the coffee black.  However, the study distinguished between the regular coffee and coffee beverages that are on the market that is the largest source of sugar.

Top Coffee Drinking Professionals  

There are many reasons people drink coffee. The most important is caffeine, a strong stimulant commonly used to improve mental alertness. Because of the demands of their jobs, many people believe that drinking coffee would help them function better and deal with the pressure of daily activities.

In 2016, Pressat, a British blog conducted a survey into why people drink coffee. The investigation included about 10,000 professionals and the result was quite revealing. Seventy percent of the people surveyed said they drank coffee because of the demands of their jobs while 85 percent said they “drink at least three cups of coffee daily.”

The survey indicated that men drink more coffee than women do by at least 5 percent. What is even more instructive about the survey is who the top coffee drinkers were. Topping the list of professions who drink the most coffee are journalists and media staff. Police officers, teachers, plumbers, and trade workers follow them. Others include nurses and medical staff, company executives, telesales, IT Technical support, retail staff, and drivers. 

Coffee Benefits on Health

Is Coffee Good for Your Health?

In general, the answer is yes.  There is a general understanding among scientists that if drank in moderation, coffee can be good for most people.  For many years, some people believed that could be a possible carcinogen. However, that changed in 2015, when the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee for the first time included coffee as part of a healthy advisory.

Many people do not see coffee beyond the caffeine boost it provides. However, coffee is beneficial in many ways. Besides the caffeine, coffee consists of chemical compounds that could have potential therapeutic effects on the body. Coffee is a good dietary source of vitamin B3, magnesium, and potassium. This is in addition to chlorogenic acid, a polyphenol found in many fruits and vegetables.

Health Benefits of Drinking Coffee

Coffee Benefits and Diabetes Prevention

Beyond the energy boost people get from drinking coffee, recent studies have shown that there are other health benefits derivable from drinking coffee. One of them is the prevention of type 2 diabetics among women. This is one of the conclusions of a 2011 study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Atsushi Goto, a UCLA doctoral student in epidemiology, and Dr. Simin Liu, a professor of epidemiology and medicine concluded that “women who drink at least four cups of coffee a day are less than half as likely to develop diabetes as non-coffee drinkers.” The researchers published their results in the journal Diabetes.

UCLA is not the only institution whose researches have examined if drinking more than three cups of coffee can help reduce type 2 diabetes in women.   In 2013, the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers investigating the relationship between coffee and type 2 diabetes concluded that drinking more coffee could help reduce diabetes in women. For 18 years, the researchers tracked 125,000 participants, evaluating their intake of coffee and new cases of type 2 diabetes. They concluded that “women who drink more than six cups of coffee per day reduced their risk for developing type 2 diabetes by almost 30 percent.”

Reduction in Parkinson’s Disease

In the United States, scientists have shown that the consumption of coffee can significantly help reduce the incidence of Parkinson’s Disease (PD). G. Webster Ross, MD; Robert D. Abbott, Ph D; Helen Petrovitch, MD, and others conducted research investigating the impact of the consumption of coffee on Parkinson’s Disease several years ago. In their study titled “Association of Coffee and Caffeine Intake With the Risk of Parkinson Disease”, they noted that “higher coffee and caffeine intake is associated with a significantly lower incidence of PD.”

The conclusion of Ross, Abbott, and Petrovitch on how Coffee and Caffeine intake can significantly lower the risk of Parkinson’s is somewhat buttressed by a randomized controlled trial of caffeine as a treatment for Parkinson’s Disease conducted by the McGill University Health Centre (RI MUHC).  The result of the trial published in the journal Neurology concluded that “Caffeine provided only equivocal borderline improvement in excessive somnolence in PD, but improved objective motor measures.” 

Coffee and Liver Cancer Prevention

Liver cancer is a devastating disease that claims the lives of thousands of people across the globe every year. In the United States alone, more than 40,000 people are diagnosed with one form of liver cancer or another annually. Expectedly, scientists have been doing everything to find a cure and ways to prevent liver cancer.

Recent studies have shown that coffee consumption can help lower the risk of liver cancer. A team of Italian researchers led by Dr. Carlo La Vecchia, from Milan’s Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri,   who looked into the relationship between coffee and liver cancer, noted that coffee consumption could reduce liver cancer by 40%. Additionally, they noted that drinking more than three cups of coffee could further lower liver cancer by 50%. In all, they asserted that “coffee has been shown to affect liver enzymes and development of cirrhosis, and, therefore, could protect against liver carcinogenesis.”

Liver Diseases

In addition to preventing liver cancer, researchers have also looked into the relationship between coffee and liver diseases. Their conclusion is that drinking coffee could lead to better liver health. Craig Lammert, a gastroenterologist and hepatologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, conducted one of the studies. In a presentation at the Digestive Disease Week 2013 conference in Orlando, Florida, Lammert explained that regular drinking of coffee can help “reduce the risk of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a rare autoimmune disease of the bile ducts in the liver.”

Another study conducted by the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program in California showed that coffee consumption could lower the incidence of cirrhosis of the liver by 22 % especially for alcohol drinkers. A general observation conveyed through the study is that something in coffee, beyond caffeine, prevents cirrhosis, especially in alcoholics.

In April 2014, the result of research published in the journal Hepatology confirmed the findings of other scholars that drinking coffee can help sustain a healthy liver. The research drew a link from coffee drinking to liver cirrhosis, noting that drinking two or more cups of coffee every day helps decrease the risk of death from liver cirrhosis by 66%. Additionally, the study also explained that drinking decaf coffee could also help lower liver enzyme levels, suggesting the benefits are not linked to caffeine content but some other chemicals in coffee.

Coffee Benefits and Heart Failure

How drinking of coffee affects the heart is very controversial. However, a 2012 study contends that drinking coffee in moderation can protect against heart failure. A joint project between researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and Harvard School of Public Health indicated that drinking two 8 ounces (0.3kg) of coffee per day (2 European cups) may help prevent a heart attack. Furthermore, the researchers asserted that those who drink up to 16 ounces (0.6kg) daily might lower the risk of having a heart attack by 11%.  

The result of the study BIDMC and Harvard School of Public Health researchers was published in Circulation Heart Failure Journal. The lead author of the report was Elizabeth Mostafsky, a post-doctoral fellow in the cardiovascular epidemiological unit at BIDMC. Although the result of the inquiry contradicts the guideline of the American Heart Association, which warns against the regular consumption of coffee, the study specified that the most important thing is moderation. If consumed in moderation, the scientist concluded that coffee could be good for the heart.

Why is Coffee Bad for You?

Health Issues and the Problems Associated with Drinking Coffee

Based on all the studies conducted by doctors and scientists, it is safe to say that coffee has many health benefits. Nevertheless, it is important not to overlook the dangers of excessive coffee consumption.  While there are immense benefits from drinking coffee, excessive coffee consumption could be detrimental to your health. Ironically, many people are unaware that consuming a large amount of coffee is fraught with health risks, including anxiety and heart problems.

Caffeine Addiction: Is Coffee Addictive?

One of the major side effects of drinking coffee is caffeine addiction. Like other psychoactive substances, caffeine is addictive. Recognizing the effect of coffee and caffeine addiction on people, Johns Hopkins University in 2014 offered to treat people with caffeine addiction free if they met certain standards. There were posters on Charles Street and across Baltimore announcing the treatment. The posters were clear about the target for the treatment. In addition to other statements, the posters included a coffee cup.  Although it was uncertain how many people went for free treatment, the call generated conversations about the danger of caffeine addiction, especially for coffee consumption.

Caffeine Addiction and Withdrawal Syndrome

Do people have withdrawal syndrome while trying to abstain from caffeine?  This was one of the questions generated by The Johns Hopkins University call to help people with caffeine addiction. The answer is yes. In a study conducted by Steven Meredith, Laura M. Juliano, John R. Hughes, and Roland Griffiths from The John Hopkins School of Medicine, the scientists concluded that caffeine was like other drugs and withdrawal carry similar symptoms. In the article titled “Caffeine Use Disorder: A Comprehensive Review and Research Agenda,” the John Hopkins researchers contended that caffeine is the most commonly used drug in the world,” therefore making addiction hard to kick.”

Meredith, who was the lead author of the article, was succinct in explaining the consequences of caffeine addiction withdrawal:  “Following chronic caffeine consumption, abstinence can result in a clearly defined withdrawal syndrome consisting of a headache, fatigue, drowsiness, depressed mood, irritability, difficulty concentrating, nausea, and vomiting.”

Coffee and Caffeine Intoxication

Beyond the consequences of caffeine addiction, Meredith also warned of other dangers associated with excessive coffee consumption.  The dangers include caffeine intoxication, “characterized by various symptoms, including nervousness, insomnia, gastrointestinal upset, tachycardia, and muscle twitches.”

How Does Coffee Affect Pregnancy and the Unborn Baby?

For many years, doctors and scientists have studied the impact of caffeine on pregnancy and unborn babies. The conclusion is that coffee can affect pregnancy and childbirth. In 2011, a study conducted by researchers from the University of Nevada School Of Medicine affirmed that women who drink a lot of coffee and ingest a large amount of caffeine could have difficulty getting pregnant. In their report published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, the researchers noted that caffeine could disrupt the flow of microscopic eggs from the fallopian tube to the uterus, thus making pregnancy impossible. They contended that caffeine could cause the contraction of the tube, narrowing the path the eggs will travel.

For many years, the American Pregnancy Association (APA) has been warning women about caffeine intake during pregnancy. The organization contends that since caffeine is a powerful stimulant, it can lead to an increase in blood pressure and heart rate, two combinations dangerous for pregnancy. Moreover, APA maintains that ingesting caffeine could also be dangerous for the unborn baby whose metabolism is still maturing. 

Although the relationship between caffeine and pregnancy continues to evolve, a general understanding is that women should keep the consumption of coffee and caffeine beverages at the minimum during pregnancy.

Why do People Drink Coffee?

Beyond the caffeine boost and health benefits of coffee, there are many other reasons people drink coffee. One is luscious advertising and marketing by coffee makers.

Advertising and Innovative Marketing Strategies

Across the globe, millions of people drink coffee and many more will join in the next decade. While the caffeine in coffee is one of the major reasons people drink coffee, it is impossible to overlook the impact of advertising and creative marketing strategies by coffee makers. On television, billboards, and the internet, coffee makers titillate people with sumptuous images. From Dunkin’ Donuts to Starbucks, coffee makers are attracting customers using amazing visuals and marketing strategies.

Besides advertisements, coffee shops are everywhere, making it very easy to get coffee. There are over twenty coffee shops or stores on Charles Street alone. There are even more on Pratt Street, St Paul, and Howard, the growing number of coffee stores across Baltimore have engendered intense competition to attract coffee drinkers. Besides offering cheap coffee, coffee stores are also offering discounts when people buy other things to go with their coffee.

Coffee Benefits and Varieties

Another way coffee makers are attracting coffee lovers is by creating varieties of coffee that many will find irresistible. To resist one is to get another.  An important example is Starbucks. Starbucks has so many sumptuous varieties of coffees that are irresistible. There are Black and White Mocha, Caffè Americano, Caramel Brulée Latte, Chestnut Praline Latte, and Iced Caramel Macchiato among many others. Starbucks also has a kids menu.

However, Starbucks is not alone. Dunkin’ Donuts also has an amazing array of coffee drinks that coffee drinkers find alluring. There are different types of Lattes, Macchiatos, Cappuccinos, and espressos among others.

Drip Coffee makers manufacturers have also joined in the fight to make coffee readily available for people. There are different types of coffee makers, each with unique qualities that make it outstanding. Some of the top drip coffee makers include Breville Precision Brewer, Cuisinart Coffee on Demand DCC-3000,  Bonavita BV1900TS 8-Cup, Moccamaster 59616 KBG, Bunn 10-Cup Velocity Brewer, and Bunn HB Heat N Brew Programmable. Others are Cuisinart DCC-T20 Touchscreen 14-Cup Programmable, OXO Barista Brain 9-Cup, Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker,  Braun Multiserve Programmable Brewer, Mr. Coffee Occasions BVMC-O-CT, and Nespresso  Pixie Espresso Maker in Aluminum EN125S.

Drinking Coffee is Fashionable

Another reason people drink a lot of coffee is that it is fashionable. Walking through Charles Street, it is impossible to miss coffee drinkers carrying the coffee cups of their favorite coffee houses. Like many other cities, coffee lovers in Baltimore are not afraid to show their coffee affinity by publicly displaying where they get their coffee.

The debate about the coffee benefits and adverse effects of coffee will continue to be a major point of contention among scientists and coffee drinkers for years to come. Based on the results of available research, the important thing to remember is that moderation is very important. As with everything else, too much of anything can be bad for you.

Scientists have shown that there are many coffee benefits and risks. What do you think about coffee? Share your thoughts. Leave a comment