Much ado about coffee

A cup of coffee in the morning may pack more than just an energy boost as more and more research is emerging to suggest that there may be several health benefits associated with drinking this dark black beverage, from helping prevent diabetes to lowering the risk of liver disease.

The consumption of coffee goes back centuries. Nowadays, with over 400 billion cups consumed every year, coffee is one of the world’s most popular drinks. But what makes it special?

While some researchers would strongly argue for the health benefits, it is important to note that those who point to the negative health implications rely more on over-consumption of the product. They however acknowledge that moderate coffee consumption has its health benefits.

Nevertheless, experience has been the guiding principle among some coffee drinkers or those who detest it. While some drink it to enhance mental and physical alertness, keep fit, keep the brain fresh for a day’s heavy activities and for other health benefits such as reduction of the “risks of certain types of cancer and heart diseases, according to experts, others avoid it, no matter the quantity, due to its potentiality to increase the heart beat. Others do not still drink it because it contains caffeine and also because of its deep bitter taste.

The upside

Bartholomew Brai, a consultant nutritionist at the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Lagos, has in a report dispelled some myths about coffee consumption, emphasising that moderate consumption is healthy for humans. He believes coffee consumption has more positive impact on human health.

“Coffee generally has more positive impact than negative effects on people’s health. Coffee is known to reduce the risks of certain types of cancer and heart diseases,” he says, at a recent lecture entitled ‘The nutritional benefits of coffee.’ The nutritionist says coffee could also help in reducing risks of certain ailments such as colon and liver cancer, type 2 diabetes, prevention of heart diseases and premature ageing.

Brai, however, warns that coffee should be consumed in moderation, adding that addiction to coffee and unrestrained consumption could impair health.

Hence, experts also say that coffee contains caffeine, antioxidants, fibre, diterpenes and micro nutrients.

Also at the lecture, according to Kemi Odukoya, a public health doctor and researcher, antioxidants are very essential, as “many people associate coffee with only caffeine. Coffee is also rich in antioxidants which are very important in the human’s metabolism.

“Coffee is the second drunk beverage after water. Over 400 billion cups of coffee are consumed per year. Moderate consumption of coffee is encouraged as health experts insist it has a lot of benefits.

“Many people run away from coffee because of the caffeine content, but we also find caffeine in pepper, mushroom, kola nut, tea, carbonated soft drinks, chocolate, cocoa and energy drinks.”

Also, Akinsanya Olusegun-Joseph, a cardiologist at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, (LASUTH), says that moderate consumption of coffee might impact positively on Life Expectancy. He also notes in a report that coffee is one of the good healthy beverages, as it also helps to reduce the risk factors of some diseases.

He says: “Coffee moderately reduces the incidence of dying from cardiovascular disease. Coffee consumption may protect against heart failure, type 2 diabetes, Parkinson disease, liver cancer, gall bladder disease and stroke.”

A report, which quoted National Coffee Association of America, and which says drinking coffee has become a normal daily routine for large numbers of people worldwide, put at nearly 400 million number of cups of coffee consumed every day in America.

The published report agrees that coffee is a complex mixture of chemicals consisting of thousands of components. Recent research has found out that coffee is one of the major sources of antioxidants in the diet and has potential beneficial effects on cognitive function.

In a study, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA, provided more benefits of drinking coffee. It agrees that coffee is a complex drink, made of over 1,000 different compounds, many of which exert health effects on the body.

According to its report, the two most significant and biologically active compounds in coffee are: Caffeine: a potent stimulant, with effects similar to other stimulants, including speeding of the heart rate and opening of the airways to the lung, and secondly, chlorogenic acid: an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound.

The study shows that “coffee is unique in that regular use may provide a sustained benefit from exposure to these compounds. In a recent article in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, researchers summarised data showing that coffee helps lessen the risk of these important cardiovascular conditions: Arrhythmias: Arrhythmias are sustained irregular heartbeats. Most people incorrectly assume that coffee increases arrhythmias. While isolated skipped beats are more common, coffee may actually decrease dangerous arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation! “Hypertension: With regular use, coffee actually appears to mildly decrease blood pressure. Insulin resistance: Insulin resistance leads to higher sugars and eventually to type 2 diabetes.

There is very good evidence that regular coffee use is associated with mildly lower rates of diabetes. Coronary heart disease: While the mechanism is not clear, it appears that coffee drinkers may suffer slightly fewer heart attacks. Congestive heart failure: Coffee may support normal heart function, although the data still remains inconclusive.”

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine study also quoted a recent Journal of the American College of Cardiology article, which links coffee consumption to a lower incidence of depression and obesity. “Several studies also suggest mildly improved control of asthma. Coffee consumption has also been linked with decreased gastrointestinal disease and possibly some kinds of dementia. Interestingly, other studies show that a daily intake of two to three cups of coffee – which in these papers is referred to as a “healthy amount” – is associated with an overall reduced risk for dying of any cause,” the report said.

The downside

On the flip side, according to the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine study, coffee has its fair share of harmful effects. “Coffee has been connected to anxiety, insomnia, and tremors. Coffee can lead to occasional skipped heart beats, which people often describe as palpitations.”

Experts have also advised that “like everything in life, excess consumption of coffee may be detrimental to health. With all its healthy benefits, excessive consumption of coffee is not advised,” as it can also lead to restlessness, palpitation, agitation and high heartbeat.

Reports say “in 2012, coffee value and volume sales continued to grow at a steady pace, due largely to demand among working Nigerians trying to remain alert in stressful working environments. Many now rely on coffee to ward off drowsiness and restore alertness during the working day. Also, coffee is used as a drink before going home to ward off tiredness in the huge traffic jams in the rush hour. Coffee is served in most offices during breaks, at conferences and other formal business gatherings. It is also popular among students during exam periods. Increasing Westernisation and higher incomes (among some parts of the middle and upper class) are also helping to drive growth, with returnees from the Diaspora more likely to drink coffee.”

In Nigeria, Ignite Scientific Committee, a body of researchers comprising medical doctors and nutritionists, has the responsibility to educate and share information on coffee consumption and wellness in the country. The committee periodically makes presentation to educate the populace, including health practitioners, on the health benefits of coffee and debunk the age-long myth associated with the beverage, through their research findings.

Anne Agbaje