Cup-a-joe at Nagle’s. 2017. Paul Goldfinger © Note the OG ads under the glass.
Reuters (11/23) reported researchers found that “people who drink three to four cups of coffee a day are more likely to see health benefits than harm,” according to a paper published in the British Medical Journal.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (11/24) reported the researchers also found that people who drink three to four cups per day appear to be at lower risk for “diabetes, liver disease, dementia and some cancers,” including endometrial, liver, prostate, and skin.
The researchers “examined 201 observational studies analyzing the health of coffee drinkers.” Forbes (11/24) reported the researchers also found that coffee consumption was linked to lower risk for Parkinson’s disease, metabolic syndrome, kidney stones, and gout.
The Telegraph (UK) (11/22) reported the researchers found that drinking up to seven cups of coffee per day was linked to a lower risk of early death.
BLOGFINGER MEDICAL COMMENTARY by Paul Goldfinger, MD, FACC:
We have posted two articles in recent years about the health benefits of coffee drinking. The AMA post above brings us up to date.
My advice is, as before, do not fear coffee drinking except remember that caffeine can be addictive and can cause cardiac dysrhythmias, fast heart beat, tremors, nervousness, and insomnia.
Regarding insomnia, some people are especially sensitive, so some experts say that they should not drink coffee after 2 PM. And if you are a regular drinker of coffee, and then you don’t have any, consider that as a cause of an unexplained headache. Also, coffee can increase alertness due to its effects on the brain; that is why people like me really need that morning Joe.
Some drink coffee to stay awake, such as during exams, driving, and doing careful tasks. Whenever I had to show up at the coronary care unit in the middle of the night, the nurses greeted me with coffee. In fact my office supplied free coffee for that unit so that they all could stay awake. But when I got home, I could fall asleep instantly despite the caffeine. The same was true after a phone call from the hospital while I was asleep.
BERTIE HIGGINS “Key Largo” Do you think that Bogie (“Here’s lookin’ at you kid..”) and Bacall were drinking coffee that winter in the Keys?
