Coffee is the second most common beverage in the world (first is tea). It’s loaded with antioxidants and amazing health benefits says the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, and what better way of Celebrating National Coffee Day than with a piping hot cup of Joe.
What are the health benefits of Coffee?
Coffee is one of the world’s most beloved beverages and for many coffee lovers, the daily ritual of a brew may offer more than a caffeine boost or a quick pick me up. Coffee consumption is linked to living longer, fewer cancers, increased alertness, better memory, improved heart health, and can even help you poop better. Study by the National Institute of Health or NIH found daily coffee drinkers were less likely to suffer from depression than non-coffee drinkers.
Coffee drinking is linked to many health benefits, and a new Study says that the time of the day or when we drink our coffee matters.
People who drink coffee in the morning called the “morning type pattern,” between 4 am and noon says the European Heart Journal experienced fewer deaths from strokes and heart attacks than those who drank coffee throughout the day or the “all-day coffee drinking pattern.”
It did not matter whether they drank decaffeinated or caffeinated coffee, or even how many cups (moderate compared to heavy), or if they added sugar or high fat creamer, the risk of death was lower in the morning group than those who drank coffee all day or in people who did not drink coffee at all. Heavy coffee consumption was also associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular (CV) death or death from heart attacks and strokes only in those coffee drinkers who identified themselves as “early morning type consumers.”
It seems those who were all-day coffee drinkers or never coffee drinkers did not reap the same health benefits as those who drank coffee earlier in the day.
Does Coffee help you POOP better?
For many Coffee drinkers, having a morning Joe helps to poop better and stay regular. Coffee has a unique blend of natural acids and caffeine stimulating the gut to contract and evacuate faster. This “natural laxative,” effect is not seen with other caffeinated beverages like caffeinated power drinks. Coffee works by boosting a stomach hormone called gastrin and stimulating nerves that relax the bowel pushing the stool through faster.
This happens within 30 minutes of drinking coffee and works best in the morning as the bowel starts to wake up. In some cases, the sensation happens within minutes of drinking coffee and in others takes longer. Adding a splash of sweetener, milk or cream can speed up the laxative effect and the stronger the Java the better.
A study compared high octane Java (Columbian coffee with 150 mg of caffeine per cup) to decaffeinated coffee and water. Bowel contractions were 60 % better in people who drank caffeinated coffee however decaffeinated brew still had a superior effect to drinking plain water alone.
Does Iced or Hot Coffee help you POOP better?
Iced coffee may help you POOP better. Iced coffee has the same amount of caffeine as hot coffee, but the processing is different. Iced coffee soaks the grounds to extract a more concentrated and acidic brew than regular coffee. It’s the increase in natural acids that stimulates the bowels to move faster.
That said, some swear by warm beverages as a bowel stimulant. Heat may stimulate the bowel and gut and soften the stool. And, if this does not work consider adding a touch of milk or cream to your daily coffee brew as can speed up the bowels especially as we age.
How much Coffee can you drink safely?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends a maximum of 400 mg of caffeine daily or about four 8-ounce cups of coffee. Drinking too much brew in one sitting can lead to what’s called “caffeine overdose,” where the heart beats faster causing jitteriness and rarely a dangerous heart rhythm. Too much coffee may lead to heartburn, difficulty sleeping, and urinary symptoms. Usually, these effects go away quickly as caffeine is metabolized in the body however some people are slower in the breakdown or metabolism of caffeine compared to others and symptoms may last longer.
What is the Coffee “Paradox,” and how can it raise and lower blood pressure?
The “Coffee Paradox,” happens when coffee raises blood pressure due to the initial caffeine kick and jitteriness. Over time with daily regular use and tolerance coffee can actually lower the risk of high blood pressure and heart attacks, and drinking 2-4 cups daily can even decrease the chance of dying. Coffee also reduces the risk of diabetes, kidney stones, liver disorders and a host of other conditions. A recent study out of Europe even reports a decrease in colon cancer in people who drank coffee.
Any final thoughts on health benefits of Coffee?
Coffee has been around and loved for centuries and used mostly for its stimulant properties, delightful aroma, rich flavor, and amazing health benefits. Caffeine in coffee works by blocking a special chemical in the body called adenosine that helps slows us down. This causes an increase release of calcium in our brain and body leading to a greater sense of alertness and enhanced physical abilities.
So, grab yourself your favorite cup of Joe, enjoy a light breakfast, move your bowels, and have a healthy and energized day. If you have chronic health conditions, ask your doctor before consuming caffeinated coffee especially above the FDA recommendations.
If you have questions, AskDoctorH. We are here to help.
Have Questions? AskDoctorH