Be Healthy and Fit at the Forest: The Great Coffee Debate

Love it or hate it, coffee is a staple on college campuses. It is during those crucial college years that many of us acquire the addiction to coffee, and more than likely it is a habit that will stick with us for the rest of our lives.
 
With all the research swarming in cyberspace about the pros and cons of coffee consumption, it is hard to know the truth behind the latte. Coffee: friend or foe?
 
Considering coffee has been consumed since the tenth century, it shouldn’t be something we stress over too much. Yes it has a lot of caffeine, yes it is addictive, and yes it is best in moderation. So what is all the fuss about?

For years, researchers have conducted studies to determine the positive and negative effects coffee can have on our health. As with any scientific study, there are two sides to the story. On the positive side, coffee has been shown to reduce overall mortality rates, protect against type II diabetes and bladder cancer, and reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and suicide. Coffee contains magnesium, potassium, Vitamin B-3, and antioxidants which protect our bodies from free-radical damage.
 
On the negative side, studies reveal some adverse effects of coffee consumption: insomnia, anxiety, heartburn and indigestion, premenstrual syndrome in females, addiction and withdrawal, osteoporosis, and adrenal effects, to name a few. Coffee can raise cholesterol levels and slightly elevate blood pressure, and with 85 milligrams of caffeine per 8-ounce cup, it is an addictive substance. As the philosopher Lucretius said, “What is food to one man maybe be fierce poison to others.”
 
So what is the truth? Is coffee good or bad? How much is too much? As with all foods and beverages, coffee is fine in moderation—up to three cups a day. Because of the high level of caffeine, it is best to reduce the consumption of other caffeinated beverages—soda, tea, hot chocolate—throughout the day. And when you choose your coffee brand, it is best to choose the best quality you can afford, preferably organically harvested or Fair Trade Certified.
 
More importantly than how much coffee you drink is what you put in your coffee. If your usual order at Starbucks is a Grande Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha with 2% milk and whipped cream, you have more things to worry about that the caffeine—such as the 520 calories and 20 grams of fat! Instead of weighing your coffee down with cream and sugar, choose nonfat milk or soy milk, Splenda, and/or sugar-free flavored syrups. And skip the whipped topping.
 
I run on coffee. I literally cannot function properly in the morning without my daily soy latte. And yes, some days I need more caffeine than others, and I splurge on a Venti-sized cup of joe. The key to good health is moderation. And coffee, in moderation, can be your best friend.