Is Coffee Really So Bad?
Humans have been drinking coffee for approximately 500 years, longer if you are of Ethiopian, Arabian or Turkish descent!
Legend has it that it was a goat herd called Kaldi who first noticed how energetic and frisky his goats became after eating the berries from the coffee bush.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Travellers began trading in this dark brew as early as the 15th Century, with European trade beginning in the early 17th Century.
It was at about this time that the peoples of South American began cultivating it as well.
So, it is relatively new on our dietary menus, and one could argue that because of this, should we really be consuming it (unless you are of Arabian descent of course!)? But coffee is actually a herb - I like to call it Arabian herbal tea, and as such deserves a special mention:
A 2015 study published in the medical journal Circulation found that moderate consumption of coffee correlated to an increased lifespan and an 8-15% decrease in the risk of death. Now that has to be good news!
Other research has unearthed that coffee is actually also a powerful antioxidant and has cardiac protective qualities, including protection against heart attack, heart failure, and stroke, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, colon, uterine and liver cancer and cirrhosis.
My mentor Professor Thomas Rau the “father” of Swiss Biological Medicine advocates 3 cups of organic espresso per day for full health benefits.
It also makes us more alert and can actually improve our energy and physical performance.
So “why?” I hear you ask:
One possible explanation is that caffeine can improve circulation to an organ. Coffee is also high in a number of nutrients such as riboflavin (vitamin B-2), niacin (vitamin B-3), magnesium, potassium, and various phenolic compounds which account for its antioxidant properties.
There is also some conjecture that it may make thyroid hormone more available by heling convert it in the liver.
But with all things health, the answer is never just black and white (haha pun intended) – coffee consumption has also been linked to a higher rate of certain cancers (bladder, pancreatic and oesophageal) and can interfere with your sleep and make you more anxious and jittery.
So, the big question – should you drink coffee? Here is my take on this ~
If you have never drunk coffee and it’s not really your taste – do not start now!
Don’t allow children under the age of 16 to drink it.
Don’t drink it too hot – maybe this is why it increases your risk of oesophageal cancer. Don’t drink coffee without food – this may stop those unwanted side effects of jitteriness and sugar crashes – or adding some collagen will also mitigate these effects.
Espresso is best – it is the purest form of extraction and actually has less caffeine than plunger or drip filter varieties
Buy the best that you can afford – organic is always best – there are a lot of chemicals used in conventional production.
Don’t drink it after 1pm - as it may interfere with your sleep.
Have it pure – no added syrups or sugar – a little bit of collagen, or even organic cream or alternative milk is OK – just not all that other stuff!
Moderate coffee consumption should be part of an overall healthy diet and lifestyle. If you are overweight, smoke or very stressed, don’t expect coffee to make you smarter, thinner and live longer - it all about balance!
So there you have it - make up your own mind and enjoy
