5 reasons why coffee may be bad for your health

Roasted coffee contains caffeine as well as many compounds that may be associated with health benefits. However, coffee is not suitable for everyone, and if consumed in excess, it can harm your health.

1. May disrupt your sleep

Caffeine stays in the body for more than six hours after your last sip. Drinking too much coffee or drinking it too close to bedtime can affect your ability to fall asleep, stay asleep, and the overall quality of your sleep.

To play it safe, limit your coffee consumption at least eight hours before bedtime, ideally limiting consumption to the afternoon or evening. That said, everyone’s tolerance and sensitivity to caffeine differs, so pay attention to how you feel throughout the day after drinking coffee and adjust the timing accordingly.

2. May disrupt digestive conditions

People with certain gastrointestinal (GI) conditions, such as gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), may experience a worsening of their condition when consuming coffee.

3. May Affect Blood Pressure and Heart Health

Coffee consumption may make it more difficult for older people with hypertension (high blood pressure) to control their blood pressure.

Although not all researchers agree, some people have seen an increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, considered the “bad” cholesterol, when drinking unfiltered coffee made in a French press or percolator. High LDL levels can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.

4. Overconsumption can cause health risks

Experts recommend a daily limit of 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine for adults. This equates to about four 8-ounce cups of coffee per day, typically containing 80 to 100 mg per cup.

Pregnant people are advised to limit their caffeine intake to 200 mg per day (about two 8-ounce cups of coffee). It is not known whether excessive consumption would pose health risks.

Consuming too much caffeine can lead to:

• Side effects: Overconsumption can cause increased anxiety, nervousness and insomnia.
• Increased risk of bone fracture: Women who consume too much caffeine have been shown to have a higher risk of bone fracture.
• Pregnancy complications: Pregnant people with high caffeine intake may be at risk of low birth weight, premature birth, and even miscarriage compared to those who consume it in moderation.

5. May contain unhealthy additives

What you add to your coffee can make it a less healthy choice.

Brewed black coffee is low in calories; 1 8-ounce cup contains just under 3 calories. A visit to a coffee shop will confirm that there are many ways to prepare coffee and many of these coffee drinks contain added sugars, flavorings, milk, cream and whipped cream. Be aware that these additions can reduce calories and mask the health benefits of coffee.

Potential health benefits

A few benefits have been associated with coffee consumption. Drinking coffee may reduce the risk of certain health problems, including:

• Stroke
• Type 2 diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Parkinson’s disease (both its onset and progression)
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Depression
• Certain cancers, such as colorectal cancer and liver cancer

Some factors that can affect the benefits of coffee include:

• The amount you drink: A review of several studies showed a 9% reduction in the risk of depression in people drinking 4 or more cups of coffee per day. Likewise, people who drink around 3 to 5 cups of coffee per day are more likely to have a lower risk of heart disease.
• Compounds other than caffeine in roasted beans: Once roasted, coffee beans contain over 1,000 bioactive compounds. Roasted beans are associated with certain antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
• Brewing method: Filtered coffee (e.g., made with a paper filter) is considered the healthiest way to prepare your coffee beans.