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For many people, myself included, coffee is a lifeline. It’s not really up for debate. If you’re going to do work in the morning, or you’re going to surf early, you’re going to drink coffee. Despite years of back and forth scientific studies, it appears the debate as to whether coffee is good or bad for you has been settled (at least for now).
Researchers at Ulster University recently conducted a thorough review of most major scientific studies involving coffee, and you’ll like the results. The review examined 1,277 studies conducted since 1970, and researchers found that the benefits of drinking coffee outweigh the risks. Coffee lovers, rejoice.
The review examined the effects of coffee on various aspects of health including:
– Total Mortality
– Cardiovascular Disease
– Cancer
– Metabolic Health
– Neurological Disorders
– Gastrointestinal Conditions
– Other Miscellaneous Health Outcomes
Based on the effects of coffee on these aspects of health, researchers determined that moderate coffee consumption, defined as 3-4 cups per day, has a neutral impact, or mildly beneficial impact, on human health.
That being said, it is important to note that the review was funded by coffee brand illy s.p.a., however, the authors of the study declared there was no conflict of interest. Hmm.
Additionally, the authors noted that more data needs to be collected to demonstrate the causality of the risks and benefits of coffee. They noted that most of the data taken into account was observational.
Moral of the story: you can keep blissfully sipping your coffee in moderation, for now, at least.
