Is Coffee Bad for You?

Joe Fox, the male lead in the 1998 romantic comedy You've Got Mail, once said that ordering a cup of coffee can be "an absolutely defining sense of self." But whether you like tall, skim milk caramel macchiatos like Meg Ryan or tall decaf cappuccinos like Tom Hanks, you may have one piping hot question: is coffee bad for you?

You may have heard conflicting information at some point about whether you should give up your morning cup of java—and constantly changing advice can get frustrating.

However, it turns out that when researchers were concerned about the health risks of coffee they were studying people who also smoked. So, now experts believe those side effects were actually related to cigarettes rather than coffee.

More good news for the 62% of Americans who drink the beverage every day is that coffee can benefit you by reducing:

Brain disorder risks. Several studies since 2017 have shown that drinking up to five cups of coffee daily can reduce the risks of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, stroke, dementia and depression. In addition, the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease found middle-aged people who drink three to five cups daily, reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer's or other dementia later in life by 65%.

Diabetes risk. This high-antioxidant beverage reduces inflammation and contains plant compounds, acids, magnesium and chromium—all of which can improve blood sugar and insulin sensitivity. A review of 30 studies also found that daily coffee drinkers are 6% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes.

Heart disease and stroke risks. Studies have found that drinking three to five cups of coffee per day led to a 15% decreased risk of heart disease and a 21% reduction in stroke risk. This may be due to the anti-inflammatory properties of the drink and because caffeine can lower LDL levels ("bad" cholesterol).

Oxidative stress. Free radicals from smoking, drinking alcohol, air pollution and other factors can lead to fatigue, brain fog, wrinkles, gray hair, joint pain and even eyesight problems. However, coffee can reduce oxidative stress symptoms, and one study found four cups of coffee a day can reduce liver damage due to alcohol use by up to 65%.

Weight gain. Assuming you aren't drinking lattes filled to the brim with sugar or syrups, coffee has also been linked to reduced body fat in both men and women. In fact, one study found that people who drink up to two cups of coffee per day are 17% more likely to meet suggested physical activity recommendations.

Still, it's important to remember that coffee, or high amounts of caffeine, may not be recommended for people with conditions such as mental health disorders, seizures, glaucoma, irritable bowel syndrome, pelvic floor disorders or osteoporosis. You should consult your doctor about your individual diet and treatment plan.

And if you are going to drink coffee as a part of your daily routine, keep in mind that the recommended way to order it is black and filtered, no matter what movie characters say.

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