Is coffee the REAL Fountain of Youth?

Sheila Mosallaei
May 2
4 min read

To bean or not to bean? That is a coffee lover’s question. Since its first introduction in the 15th century, coffee has become the second most consumed drink in the world, with water being number one. Every day, about 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed across the globe. With its worldwide popularity over the years, it is worth knowing how it affects our bodies, what are the benefits and dangers of it, and how much is too much. Most coffee lovers want to know, is coffee consumption really that bad?

Roasted coffee is made up of 1000 bioactive compounds, several of which have been shown to contain anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, or anti-cancer properties. These active compounds include caffeine, cafestrol, chlorogenic acids, and kahweol. Additionally, the type of roast, preparation method, coffee grind setting, and brew type will make a difference in the final composition of the coffee.

Studies have shown numerous benefits to drinking a moderate amount, 2-3 cups, of coffee daily, including:

Anti-aging: The antioxidants in coffee, including chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid, help prevent cell damage that is caused by free radicals.
Lower risk of anxiety and depression: A study comparing coffee-drinkers vs. non-coffee drinkers showed a lower risk of depression and anxiety in participants that drank 3 cups of coffee, compared to non-coffee drinkers.
Increased Cognitive Function: Studies on neurocognition show that coffee consumption leads to increased central nervous system activity, therefore increasing brain activity. This is due to an increase in levels of dopamine and glutamate, both important neurotransmitters that are involved in brain functions such as learning, memory, and mood regulation. Ultimately, increase in these neurotransmitters can help prevent and/or reduce development of cognitive brain disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease.
Immune system and anti-inflammatory effects: The antioxidants in coffee have shown to interact with immune cells, resulting in the release of anti-inflammatory chemicals, leading to anti-inflammatory effects.

These results represent coffee in its pure form. It is important to consider that adding ingredients, such as cream and sugar, can reduce some of the aforementioned benefits.

However, just like everything else in life, too much of a good thing can have its drawbacks. Too much coffee consumption can have some detrimental effects as well, including:

High Cholesterol: The molecule, cafestrol, has been shown to be linked with increased levels of cholesterol.
Increased risk of anxiety and depression: The same study comparing the coffee-drinkers vs. non-coffee drinkers, showed that participants that drank more than 6 cups of coffee had an increased risk of depression and anxiety.
Increased stress levels: When consumed in large amounts, coffee can lead to elevated levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. This can lead to disrupted sleep, which can also lead to increased cortisol levels.

Conclusion: Overall, it is clear that in terms of coffee consumption, dosage matters. Too little or too much coffee does not provide benefits. However, within the goldilocks zone of 2-3 cups daily, the benefits of coffee are more apparent. With benefits including anti-aging, decreased risk of depression and anxiety, anti-inflammatory effects, and increased cognitive function, you can enjoy your brew-ti-ful cups of coffee. Stay grounded!

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Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board