Coffee and health

Coffee and tea have been consumed for hundreds of years and have become an important part of cultural traditions and social life. 

Health effects

• Consumption of 3 to 5 standard cups daily is associated with a reduced risk of several chronic diseases.

               A standard cup defined as 240 ml.  

• It does not increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancers.

• It increases wakefulness and work productivity. 

• It improves energy balance by reducing appetite and increasing the basal metabolic rate 

• Repeated intake during the day  were associated with slightly less long-term weight gain

• A modest beneficial effect on body fatness

     Moderate consumption can be part of a healthy lifestyle.

      You cannot recommend coffee intake for  

      disease prevention. There is no evidence 

A standard coffee mug (240 ml)
Not more than 5 mugs/day

     

  Adverse effects

  High caffeine intake (more than 5 cups) can have various 

  adverse effects,  

• Consumption later in the day can increase sleep latency and reduce the quality of sleep

• Caffeinated beverages that are high in calories, such as soft drinks and energy drinks and coffee or tea with added sugar, may lead to excess weight gain.

•  Caffeine can induce anxiety in persons with high anxiety or bipolar disorders. , 

.

       Adverse effects in pregnancy

• Caffeine readily passes the placenta

• High caffeine intake is associated with lower birth weight

• There is a risk of pregnancy loss .

 A pregnant lady should avoid coffee intake as far as possible, 

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS)

It is a liquid sweetener added to food and beverages. It is sweeter than glucose and so it is used as an added sugar in processed foods in the form of HFCS. Fructose is naturally present in fruits and that is why fruits taste sweeter and delicious.

Foods containing HFCS:

Yogurt

Breads

Frozen pizza

cereal bars

cocktail peanuts

Tomato based sauces

Apple sauce

canned fruits

Salad dressings

Coke

Pepsi

These products are available in US. But gradually they are likely to come to India.

Americans are consuming more HFCS than actual sugar, 

(about 12 - 20  tablespoons per day) 

Following products in India have HFCS:

Energy drinks

juices

candy

Bread

Jam and jelly

Ice creams

Legal status:

It is banned in U.K.

U.S. FDA classifies it as"Generally regarded as safe"(GRAS)

Disadvantages:

More than 300 unwanted calories added per day

Linked to obesity and diabetes

High mercury contents are harmful