Coffee

Coffee is a rich source of antioxidants like chlorogenic acid and melanoidins. Melanoidins from roasted coffee show strong antioxidative effects depending on the way the coffee is treated

Researchers found that a typical serving of coffee contains more antioxidants than typical servings of grape juice, blueberries, raspberries and oranges.

Coffee consumption is potentially protective against the development of type 2 diabetes. A prospective cohort study as part of the US Nurses Health Study found that moderate consumption of both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes in younger and middle aged women. The finding that higher consumption of decaffeinated coffee was associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes suggests that the protective effect could not be attributed exclusively to caffeine, but rather that it should be explained by other components, most probably chlorogenic acid and various antioxidants.

There is strong evidence that regular coffee consumption reduces the risk of Parkinson's disease. A number of studies have demonstrated that people who drink coffee on a regular basis are significantly less likely to develop Parkinson's.

Coffee drinking may protect against liver cirrhosis, especially alcoholic cirrhosis.

There is some evidence that coffee drinking may be protective against gallstone formation in men and women.

Coffee consumption lowers the risk of kidney stones formation.

Hyperuricemia (high level of uric acid in the blood) can contribute to both gout and kidney stone formation. Coffee drinking may decrease the serum uric acid level and lower the risk of gout in men .

Caffeine is a well-known stimulant. Many studies demonstrate the beneficial effects of caffeine in coffee on alertness, attentiveness, and wakefulness. The cup of coffee can increase information processing.

There is some evidence that coffee may help manage asthma and even control attacks when medication is unavailable. Caffeine in coffee is related to theophylline, an old asthma medication. Caffeine can open airways and improve asthma symptoms.

Several studies comparing moderate coffee drinkers (about 2 cups a day) with light coffee drinkers (less than one cup a day) found that those who drank more coffee were significantly less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease later in life.

These were benefits of coffee drinking. Now let's look at the potential health risks associated with coffee. Coffee, particularly in large doses, can cause several problems for susceptible individuals: