Moderate amount and regular consumption of coffee can help prevent diseases

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Figures from the Brazilian Coffee Industry Association (ABIC) reinforce coffee's role as a very important food for Brazilians and its potentially significant impact on health. With an annual per capita consumption rate of 5.12 kg per inhabitant, the country ranks as the second largest coffee consumer, behind only the United States, but many are unaware of the benefits of the drink.

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Over the years, coffee has been treated as an evil food and also as a health and well-being booster. When evaluated with factors such as a sedentary lifestyle and smoking, it has been found that moderate and regular consumption can provide numerous health benefits.

The recommended amount of caffeine ranges from 50 to 300 mg per day, which is equivalent to three to five cups of brewed coffee, which is a moderate consumption. An espresso can contain three times the amount of caffeine. “With a balanced diet and regular physical exercise, drinking coffee can enhance the beneficial effects of the drink,” says nutritionist Paula Bricendo, from the Sao Camilo Hospital Network in Sao Paulo.

Excessive consumption can cause adverse effects such as insomnia, anxiety, headaches, migraines, hand tremors, increased blood pressure, increased blood cholesterol levels, stomach pain, and heart palpitations. There are even records indicating an increased risk of bladder and urinary tract cancer among men. He warns: “Pregnant women, children under 12 years of age, and people with problems such as reflux, ulcers, and gastritis should avoid drinking alcohol or limit its consumption, because caffeine can irritate the stomach lining, as well as people with insomnia and anxiety problems.” Nutritionist. Paolo Ariel _ Contato Agency

Benefits of moderate and regular consumption

Contributing to increasing life expectancy

In a study conducted between 2009 and 2018 and published in 2022 in the scientific journal Annals of Internal Medicine, experts concluded that moderate coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of death. Coffee drinkers are said to have a lower chance of dying from some of the world's leading causes of death – coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.

Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes

With regular consumption, there is the possibility of preventing the deterioration of liver and beta cell function during chronic metabolic stress that precedes the overt onset of diabetes, as described in the article “Coffee and reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes: arguments for diabetes ‘causation’”, prepared by German physician Hubert Kolb and his colleagues, published in 2021 in the journal Nutrients.

Reducing the risk of neurological diseases

Caffeine is associated with a lower likelihood of developing Parkinson's disease and can help with movement control. It may also provide significant protection against the development of Alzheimer's disease. The hypothesis is that the antioxidants in coffee are able to reduce an unstable type of oxygen molecule linked to disease.

Liver protection

Whether it's regular or decaf coffee, according to research from Johns Hopkins University, coffee drinkers are more likely to have liver enzyme levels within a healthy range than consumers who don't drink coffee;

Memory and concentration

Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, increasing alertness.

Cancer prevention

The antioxidants in coffee have chemopreventive and anti-cancer activity. Drinking coffee can reduce the likelihood of developing colorectal cancer by up to 26%, according to studies from Johns Hopkins University.

Improving performance in physical exercises

As a pre-workout, coffee contributes to improved fat burning and increased energy and endurance.