Refuted the myths about coffee and caffeine-coffee is not unhealthy Naturopathy naturopathy specialist portal

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world. The drink have formed numerous myths. Time for coffee to promote good health and a longer life, then again it is, that coffee of health claims, and even heart rhythm could cause interference. In a in the “New England Journal of Medicine” published in the current Review, researchers evaluated the end of the health effects of coffee, and with a few myths cleared up.
Some decades ago, coffee was considered to be unhealthy
What assumptions are right, which are wrong? The researchers explain how the current state of research is. Coffee was in the past, as harmful to health. The caffeine-containing hot beverage was Suffering as a potential trigger of cardiovascular, nervous defamed complaints, metabolic disorders, fertility disorders, and even cancer. In recent years, however, a variety of studies has examined the individual health aspects of drinking Coffee and the myths sets one after the other.
Coffee does not equal caffeine
In the case of coffee, it is important to decide between the efficiencies of caffeine and coffee. What applies to coffee, does not automatically apply to caffeine, stress, the diet, researchers led by Professor Rob van Dam of the National University of Singapore in the Review. It is important to differentiate between coffee and caffeine.
Caffeine is dangerous for health?
If coffee is healthy, then caffeine is also beneficial to health? Anyone who thinks that is wrong. In principle, the dose makes the poison. “Anyone who takes a lot of caffeine in a short period of time, can symptoms such as anxiety, inner restlessness, nervousness, dysphoria, insomnia, agitation and psychomotor Agitation erleiden”, the researchers write ends.
Caffeine can be fatal
Such complaints can occur at doses of 1.2 g of caffeine or higher. A Cup of Espresso contains around 63mg of caffeine. An energy drink depending on the product to about 80 mg. Caffeine can even be fatal. From 10 to 14 g of caffeine is danger to life. In order to reach such a dose, however, should people consume 75 to 100 cups of coffee in a short period of time. A fatal poisoning is excluded in the opinion of the scientists, therefore, almost.
Experts warn, however, always caffeine drinks such as Energy Drinks or Shots. These are mixed with alcohol, it can be dangerous. Reports of cardiovascular, mental and neurological disorders are not uncommon. Even deaths occur in this context. In particular, children and young people often drink high doses of Energy Drinks. Ironically, young people’s health, but more prone to side effects and complications.
Fatigue with coffee reduce?
Caffeine in coffee can defeat for a short period of time, fatigue. Lack of sleep can’t compensate for the caffeine, however. “Caffeine can’t compensate for the drop in performance after prolonged sleep deficit,” write the researchers in their evaluation. For a short-term Kick could caffeine help and the efficiency increase. “The inhibition of adenosine reduces the fatigue and increases the Leistungsfähigkeit”, van Dam and colleagues write. Because caffeine is binding to adenosine receptors, blocking this and thus unfolds its effect.
Insomnia due to coffee?
Those who drink coffee in the late afternoon or in the evening, can be quite suffer from lack of sleep. Falling Asleep becomes more difficult and the quality of sleep decreases. The effect, however, is individual and depends on “Gene variants in the adenosine receptor and the caffeine-metabolizing enzymes ab”.
High blood pressure due to coffee?
Individual studies showed that regular Drinking of coffee affected blood pressure. In 2003, the National heart, lung, and blood Institute of the United States withdrew, therefore, a warning to the people with high blood pressure only a little coffee should drink. A study of at least 150,000 women found no connection between coffee consumption and high blood pressure. Even in the case of people suffering from hypertension, was coffee with no rise in blood pressure in connection.
However, the researchers specify a restriction. An all-clear could apply to coffee, but not for other caffeine drinks. Caffeine in its pure form could cause a slight increase in blood pressure. In the case of coffee, a blood from a permanent increase in pressure, because the coffee contained substances such as chlorogenic acid counteract a rise in blood pressure from caffeine. You counteract, therefore, the increase in and the same again.
Coffee increases the level of cholesterol?
Coffee filter does not affect the cholesterol level: in Order to increase this slightly, would people coffee beans or coffee powder, to chew, and in larger quantities. The researchers write, that it depended on the preparation of the coffee, whether or not the level of cholesterol can be negatively affected. In coffee, Cafestol is included. This substance has increasing values, the LDL-C. The Cafestol content but only in unfiltered coffee. Cafestol could have a negative impact on Lipid metabolism in the relevant proportions.
Conclusion: a coffee filter can be not the LDL-C values increase. But coffee made with a French Press, Turkish, or Scandinavian type. In randomized trials, the mirror was Participating, and drank a lot of unfiltered coffee (6 cups a day), 17.8 mg/dl (0.46 mmol/L) higher than in subjects who consumed a coffee filter.
Can lead coffee heart rhythm disorders?
A great fear of many, that coffee heart rhythm could cause interference. These concerns are, however, unfounded, as the researchers say. An average of six cups of filter coffee from a cardiovascular point of view, are harmless. This was true even if people are already ill with Heart disease. A moderate consumption of three to five cups a day is even beneficial to reduce the risk of heart disease. Also the assumption that coffee could promote atrial fibrillation, have not been confirmed in studies, so the research team.
Coffee dries out the body?
Another myth is that a high caffeine consumption leads to dehydration. Although the excretion of urine is promoted. However, it was shown in research that even in the case of a longer intake (≤400 mg/day) of the water resources of the people is not adversely affected. Therefore, the researchers refute the myth that coffee dehydrates.
Coffee is a carcinogen?
It is often claimed that coffee consumption may cause cancer. In the 1990s, medical professionals believed in this myth. Today, the state of research is, however, different: “The results of many prospective cohort studies provided strong evidence that consumption of coffee is associated with no increase in the cancer incidence or an increased death rate due to cancer,” writes the research group.
Coffee is meant to protect to suffer, on the contrary, even before the cancer. Some studies showed that coffee consumption a reduced risk for melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancers, breast cancer and prostate cancer associated. Evidence of this is also available for endometrial carcinomas and hepatocellular tumors. Coffee should also be good for the liver. Regular consumption can prevent hepatic Fibrosis, and cirrhosis.
A “Coffee and Lipoprotein Metabolism study” in 2005, in the United States came to the result: caffeine in coffee has no negative effect on heart rate, Body Mass Index, blood sugar levels, amount of Insulin and blood sugar levels. Similar to the blood pressure of coffee and caffeine need to be evaluated in isolation. The isolated consumption of caffeine can reduce insulin sensitivity, at least in the short term. The coffee, however, different. However, studies have shown that regular coffee brings Drinking to a lower risk for the development of type II Diabetes with. However, the result was dose-dependent.
For this purpose, the researchers have two explanations. It could be that the human organism develops in the course of regular coffee consumption has a tolerance and the effect of the caffeine wears off. It could also be that substances in the coffee effects to counteract the Negative. These mechanisms of action are not, however, been researched, so the research team.
A waiver of coffee can extend the life?
Not a few people abandon coffee, because they think that this is associated with a longer life. According to latest research, that’s not true. Studies have shown that regular consumption of coffee can even extend the life, if people drink two to five cups per day, the researchers say. However, the research team restricts this aspect. The health-promoting effects to caffeine and caffeine without the coffee could be damaging.
Anxiety and insomnia by coffee?
Some people also react more sensitive to caffeine than other. Affected then suffer from anxiety and a lower quality of sleep. “People, in which these effects occur, should be advised that caffeine intake limit and to avoid a late taking of the day” advise the researchers. In the case of energy drinks, consumers should pay attention to the end, to a maximum dose of up to 200 mg. Alcohol and caffeine should not be used in combination to drink, so the research group.
Coffee during pregnancy
Women drink during pregnancy coffee slows down the caffeine metabolism. Therefore, the Caffeine levels can rise sharply. For this reason, Pregnant women should only consume a maximum of 200 mg of caffeine.
Interactions between caffeine and medications
In everyday medical practice, care should be taken to avoid interaction and side effects. Some quinolone antibiotics, some heart drugs, bronchodilators and antidepressants can slow down the degradation of caffeine and increase the half-time. In the case of some medicines, caffeine may also change the effect.
How much cups of coffee are healthy?
The authors of the review recommend adults, a caffeine intake of a maximum of 400 mg daily. The equivalent of six cups of Espresso or 4 cups of filter coffee. In this context, the researchers suggest that the reactions of the organism to caffeine of human-to-human in different ways. Other factors, such as additional smoke, can diminish the health effect. Because Smoking accelerates caffeine metabolism, while oral contraceptives can double the half-value time. (sb)