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    To be fair…what’s bad about coffee

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    By on Mike Young's Blog
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    Nothing. Just kidding. As with most things there’s a good and a bad side to everything. Coffee is no different. So even though I am personally an advocate for all things java, I thought it would only be fair to provide a fair and balanced report on the magic fluid. We’ve already looked at why coffee is so healthy. Now let’s take a look at some of it’s drawbacks (both factual and fictional)

    • Coffee is addictive. True..kinda. A cup of coffee contains about 135mg of caffeine. Caffeine has been shown to have addictive properties. Heavy and unhealthy caffeine use is anything over 6,000mg / day. The good thing is that normal coffee use is anything under 300mg / day which corresponds to the dose that about 80% of coffee drinkers consume.
    • Coffee dehydrates. False…kinda. While coffee has diuretic properties, the NET affect of coffee consumption is a NET gain in fluid.
    • Coffee negatively affects mood. True….kinda. In very large doses, especially among women, the caffeine in coffee can cause irritibility, anxiety, and worsen the symptoms of PMS.
    • Coffee can make you feel tired. True….kinda. By overstimulating the adrenals, chronic and excessive use of caffeine can actually weaken them. Over time, this can lead to persistent fatigue and tiredness.
    • Coffee causes you to lose vitamins and minerals. True. Caffeine’s diuretic effect speeds elimination of many minerals and vitamins. Loss of potassium, zinc, magnesium, vitamin B, and vitamin C are accelerated with caffeine intake. Coffee also reduces the absorption of iron and calcium from food and supplemental sources, particularly when taken at mealtimes. This really only appears to be a concern when a person’s diet is already insufficient to begin with.
    • Coffee can be dangerous to individuals with cardiopulmonary problems. True. Caffeine increases blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides and raises blood pressure. These are all risk factors for heart attacks.
    • Coffee can cause diarrhea. True. An anecdotal link has been made between coffee and diarrhea. This does not seem to be an issue with most people though.
    • Coffee can lead to insomnia or restlessness. True. The key here is to limit coffee intake to early in the day and not consume excessive amounts.

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    Mike Young

    Mike Young

    Founder of ELITETRACK at Athletic Lab
    Mike has a BS in Exercise Physiology from Ohio University, an MSS in Coaching Science from Ohio University & a PhD in Biomechanics from LSU. Additionally, he has been recognized as a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) from the National Strength & Conditioning Association, a Level 3 coach by USA Track & Field, a Level 2 coach by USA Weightlifting.
    Mike Young
    Mike Young
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