Research suggests that coffee drinkers are less at risk of a number of serious conditions such as type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease and some cancers! And results from a recent ten year study show that moderate coffee consumption is linked with a lower risk of cardio vascular disease and early death from any cause.
As well as caffeine, coffee (including instant) contains minerals notable magnesium for healthy bones and muscle function plus potassium for blood pressure and vitamin B3 for releasing energy from food and a healthy nervous system.
A recent study found that each additional daily cup of coffee was associated with a 3 percent lower risk of any heart rhythm issues occurring.
Individual sensitivity to caffeine varies. Some people can tolerate six or more cups per day very well while others feel jittery after just one or two .Pregnant women are advised to stick to 200 mg caffeine daily according to the NHS as excess caffeine has been linked with low birth weight.
Various studies with caffeine intake suggest the following :
ONE CUP PER DAY: can boost alertness and aid bowel movement
TWO CUPS PER DAY: can improve exercise endurance and protect the heart
THREE CUPS PER DAY: May lower the risk of stroke and Parkinsons
FOUR CUPS PER DAY: Provides nutrients and protects against fatty liver disease
FIVE CUPS PER DAY: may help to prevent type 2 diabetes
SIX CUPS PER DAY: cuts gout risk
BUT DON’T OVERDO IT! In people with a high sensitivity to caffeine, as little as one cup of coffee can affect sleep duration and quality. It can take around five hours for your blood level of caffeine to drop by 50 percent so drinking coffee beyond mid-afternoon is inadvisable if you have sleep difficulties and can trigger diarrhoea in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
