I can’t imagine a morning when I don’t have coffee. I didn’t give up coffee for breakfast even when I was pregnant. It was weak and with milk, but I don’t think I could have gotten up without it. While I’m no foodie and a regular instant coffee is fine, a cup of coffee is synonymous with starting my day.

A ritual. What about health?

For many people, like me, drinking coffee is a ritual. At the very least, it improves my mood. But what does our body say to the caffeine it contains? Apparently, coffee shouldn’t harm us. On the contrary, it should bring even more health benefits. But there are a few rules to follow. American heart surgeon Dr. Jeremy London has revealed how to drink coffee safely and beneficially.

This experienced physician works at St. Joseph’s Hospital and has also been promoting the prevention of cardiovascular disease on social media for many years. It was in one of his videos that he pointed out that coffee can have a positive effect on health if consumed in the right form. Unfortunately for me, according to him, black coffee without sugar and milk is the most beneficial.

Coffee and heart

“Considerations about the effects of coffee on the heart have swung both ways,” says Dr. J. Michael Gaziano, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Previously, drinking coffee was considered risky. Later research suggested that only large amounts of coffee could damage the heart. People who drink moderate amounts of coffee (one to three cups a day) actually seem to have a lower risk of atrial fibrillation. That’s according to a 2019 study co-authored by Michael Gaziano.

The study was observational. People reported what they consumed and researchers tracked their health over several long years. But another study took a completely different approach. It measured the short-term effects of drinking coffee. One finding – that people took more steps on coffee-drinking days – confirms other research showing that caffeine can slightly improve physical performance. On the other hand, the adverse effects of caffeine on sleep are well known, and sleep deprivation is increasingly recognized as a risk to cardiovascular health.

Effects of caffeine on humans

Coffee may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The drink contains a number of anti-inflammatory substances and antioxidants, including chlorogenic acid, which promote health. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and releases fatty acids from adipose tissue.

In addition, drinking coffee naturally also has an effect on the kidneys. It increases urination and this can easily lead to dehydration. In small quantities, coffee is harmless and sometimes beneficial. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should limit their consumption. It is not suitable for children and adolescents, nor are other stimulants.

Caffeine addiction

Coffee consumption should be watched because, like almost everything, caffeine can be addictive. People addicted to caffeine may experience withdrawal symptoms within a day of their last coffee. They usually subside within 24 to 48 hours. The symptoms are not dangerous, but of course they can be unpleasant. Often headaches occur, but also anxiety, fatigue or drowsiness.