Many people around the world drink coffee every day because of its social connotations, taste, and caffeine content. some people seem to be able to get right down to work without any other obvious means of assistance than a cup of coffee. Recent studies by a number of scientific institutions and universities have shown that the innocent-looking coffee bean has a number of positive and negative health effects. As the study - published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition - found: one cup of the caffeine-rich beverage was enough to reduce blood flow to the heart by 22 per cent within an hour of being consumed. “A single study is not enough to decide whether coffee causes health risks or not, and drinking in moderation shouldn't lead to problems, but it is always good to know how something affects your health,” said Dr. Haroon Ahmed, a consultant physician in Hera General hospital in Makkah. “Coffee contains caffeine and that causes a number of health problems when consumed in excess including - but not limited to - sleep and anxiety disorders, elevated risks of Parkinson's disease, elevated heartbeat and stress, breathing problems in infants, and the Caffeine Dependency Syndrome. It is therefore important to drink caffeinated beverages in moderation.” However, apart from caffeine, coffee beans also contain a large number of compounds that are extremely effective antioxidants. For people who do not eat enough fruit or vegetables, drinking coffee can help them obtain the essential minerals and vitamins that they need. Coffee also contains an anti-cancer molecule. “Overall, the research shows that coffee is far more healthful than it is harmful,” writes Tomas DePaulis, a research scientist at Vanderbilt University's Institute for Coffee Studies, which conducts its own medical research and tracks coffee studies from around the world. “For most people, very little bad comes from drinking it, but a lot of good.” Consider this: At least six studies indicate that people who drink coffee on a regular basis are up to 80 percent less likely to develop Parkinson's, with three showing the more they drink, the lower the risk. Other research shows that compared to not drinking coffee, at least two cups daily can translate to a 25 percent reduced risk of colon cancer, an 80 percent drop in liver cirrhosis risk, and nearly half the risk of gallstones. “With all these good effects it contains some bad effects too. Because coffee is a diuretic it can cause people to become dehydrated and a lack of fluid in an individual's body causes constipation,” added Dr. Ahmed. Common symptoms of coffee addiction include fatigue, nausea, headaches, difficulty in concentrating and poor orientation, increase in the intensity of PMS, constipation, and frequent memory lapses in cases of caffeine withdrawal. “These people can reduce intake of coffee by replacing it with fresh juices, soup or green tea. Reduce the caffeine intake gradually rather than stopping it will help them to fully replace it,” advised Dr. Ahmed.
