Is coffee an herb? An herb is defined as an plant used for medicinal purposes and coffee's relationship to reduced rates of type 2 diabetes, cancer and liver disease certainly make a compelling case for drinking more coffee. While the consumption of coffee isn't without controversy, here are 4 reasons to feel just a little bit better about that morning cup of joe:
1. Coffee may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. 6 recent studies, including one that studied more than 84,000 people, has associated heavy coffee use with lower risks of developing adult-onset (type 2) diabetes. The mechanism through which coffee achieves this is poorly understood and few doctors are likely to recommend you start drinking coffee if you don't already. But if you're a man who drinks 6 cups a coffee a day, at least on study suggests that your risk of type 2 diabetes is 54% lower than men who don't drink coffee at all.
2. Coffee may help prevent Parkinson's disease. A 2001 study published in the journal Annals of Neurology found a dose-dependent relationship between coffee consumption and a decreased risk of Parkinson's disease in men. In this study, men who drank at least one cup of coffee for 10 years had a 40% lower risk than men who didn't drink coffee at all. Unfortunately, this doesn't seem to hold true for women and, in fact, heavy caffeine consumption in women who take (or have taken) hormone replacement therapy is actually associated with an increased risk of Parkinson's.
3. Coffee may help prevent some forms of cancer. The science linking coffee to lower rates of some forms of cancer is shaky but a few studies have suggested that both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee consumption may lower your risk of certain forms of cancer, especially colorectal cancers.
4. Cancer may help prevent liver damage and cirrhosis. Various studies suggest that consuming 2 or more cups of coffee a day may lower your risk of liver failure by as much 40%, compared to people who drank no coffee at all. This is true even when the damage to the liver is caused by the excessive use of alcohol.
It's important to remember that all coffee contains caffeine--even decaffeinated coffee contains trace amounts--and caffeine isn't appropriate for everyone. Also, while some studies have suggested that coffee may lower the risk of certain types of cancers, other studies indicate that it may well increase the risk of other cancers.
And caffeine can interfere with the way your body uses certain medications, too. It can increase the absorption of some prescription drugs while hindering your body's ability to metabolize others. Finally, coffee may also interfere with the way your body absorbs certain nutrients.
What's the best advice where coffee is concerned? Talk to your doctor. Only your own physician is qualified to give you medical advice so to learn if coffee is safe and appropriate for you, consult your primary healthcare provider.
References:
Ascherio, A., et al. (2001). Prospective study of caffeine consumption and risk of Parkinson's disease in men and women. Annals of Neurology.
Corrao, G., et al. (2001). Coffee, caffeine, and the risk of liver cirrhosis. Annals of Epidemiology.
Tavani, A., et al. (1998). Meta-analysis of coffee consumption and risk of colorectal cancer. American Journal of Epidemiology.
van Damme, R., et al. (2002). Coffee consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Lancet.
