Coffee, like everything else, can be good or bad for anyone, depending on the drinker's health condition. It's a major no-no for pregnant women; on the other hand, more people have been encouraged to drink it more often for it apparently has antioxidants that can prevent heart disease and some cancers. However, an article in the New York Times recently disputed some myths about coffee. Here are caffeine myths debunked by a comprehensive appraisal published by the Center for Science in Public Interest:
Myth: Coffee makes you pee more.
A study from the past year revealed that 550 ml of coffee did not yield as much urine as some caffeine-free drinks did. The study showed that you have to consume at least 575 ml of coffee for it to be considered a diuretic—a drug that increases the rate of urination.
Myth: Caffeine stimulates heart diseases.
Ten studies involving over 400,000 people showed that there is little evidence that caffeine increases the risk of heart attacks and abnormal heart rhythms. An Iowa Women’s Health Study even found that one to three cups of coffee per day can reduce the risk by about 24 percent.
Myth: Coffee drinking increases the risk of pancreatic cancer.
A Harvard study in 1981 said that coffee could cause pancreatic cancer, but researchers later put the blame on smoking. More recent studies showed that coffee had nothing to do with increased risks of pancreatic and breast cancers.
Myth: Coffee contributes to bone loss.
Studies on human physiology have shown that caffeine intake has very little effects on bone loss. Yet Dr. Robert Heaney of Creighton University advises coffee drinkers to maintain their minimum calcium requirements to help counter caffeine’s contribution to bone loss.
Myth: Coffee can help you lose weight.
This is one myth that is unfortunately just a myth. Yes, coffee can help boost metabolism, but it can't promise long-term effects when it comes to weight control. A study even showed that people who drank more coffee gained more weight than those who kept their consumption at minimum. The next time you go to Starbucks, you might want to just ask the barista to not put whipped cream on your frappe if you're on a diet!
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