Image Credit: Torange

I am famous among my peers for so many reasons among which is the love of reading. But what seems to stand out among these reasons is the very fact that I am a coffee lover, or let me simply state it as many of them would, "A Coffee Addict". Be that as it may, come rain come sunshine, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, I pledge my undying love to thee, O Coffee! How it is many are able to confront the world's lethargic tendencies without a drop of this elixir running in their circulatory system still marvels my wits. I need it! Every part of me resonates the want. Just this morning alone, it took me more than 20minutes (or there about) to really acknowledge the fact that I have woken to the world. Sullen, tired and exhausted. A cup of coffee simply did the magic, you know. I sprang to life after a cup of an instant coffee which took almost forever to get ready.

Well, to the business at hand. At my end, it is a serious affair trying to convince my friends and relatives about the health benefits of this beverage. It seem to them all that my taking to drinking coffee is a pursuit that will surely not end well. Don't shrug. I come from that part of the world that still believe that whistling in the sun might actually invite the snake, or that coconut water makes you become a dullard. And while the list of these outrageous beliefs goes on and on, I will not be tempted to digress into that affair at present (perhaps, some other time). So, back to the "business at hand", convincing my folks isn't a small affair. And when you ask a dude if he will like to take some (coffee), he responds with disgust written all over his face that he minds. Infact he says this in a way that makes you feel like a REALLY, REALLY big sinner at that moment. I suffer every day drinking what I love the most. Well, lets leave that for now. Hopefully they will come to take me as I am if they refuse to partake in my morning ritual (drinking coffee).

Below are the pros and cons of the intake of the beverage. No doubt, I truly hope that you shall find this educating and informative. Ensure you have your cup of coffee with you while you read on. winks

PROS

1. Effect on Cardiovascular System

A cup of coffee is known for its potential to increase the blood pressure at the instant of its intake, it is known to have the ability of lowering the risk of coronary disease and protect the heart against failure. Studieshave shown that coffee would lower the risk of coronary disease for about ten years and an average of 2 cups will protect the heart against the failure of the heart.

2. Coffee with Alzheimer and Dementia

The decrease of the risks of Dementia and Alzheimer is often associated with the intake of coffee. An habit of taking 3 to 5 cups of coffee everyday can largely reduce the risks of developing Alzheimer and Dementia in people between the age of 40 to 50 years by 70% as reported in a study conducted by Regina Wierzejska. It was also revealed that frequent intake of the beverage can actually slow down the rate of decline of cognition in older people.

3. Suicide risk can really reduced by Coffee

Well, keep calm. It was the Harvard's School of Public Health in 2013 who first disclosed that the daily intake of 2 to 3 cups of coffee reduces suicide risk by nearly 45% as the caffeine content in the beverage is believed to boost the mood of the consumers.

4. Oral Cancer and Stroke

Due to the antioxidant and anti mutagenic properties of coffee, its daily consumption (about 4-6 cups daily) can greatly reduce the risk for several type of cancers including oral cancer. Also, it is claimed that caffeinated coffee lowers the risk of stroke by 25%.

5. Burns Fat and elongate life

The caffeine content in coffee contributes to the breaking down of fat cells in the body to break down which is then utilized as fuel for our daily activities. Additionally, a joint study was embarked upon by AARP and National Career Institute of USA which reports that a controlled experiment conducted over the period of 10 years reveals that frequent intake of coffee, regular or decaf, reduces the risk associated with health in the consumers than those who doesn't consume the beverage. As a result, it is concluded that the consumer of coffee is very likely to live longer than those who doesn't consume the beverage.

6. Reduction of Type2 Diabetes and Body Shield

Studies have shown that high rate of coffee intake, regular or decaf, is associated with the reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. It also acts as shield to the body due to its high content of antioxidants. It protects the body from the free radicals that may be present in the body.

#CONS
As it is with most things, everything is sure to have one or risks attached to the numerous benefits it could afford. Coffee is no exception. Insomnia, migraine, heightened anxiety and withdrawal syndrome which is often characterised as a type of mental disorder are amongt the disadvantages attached with the consumption of coffee.

Below are some of the risks attached to the consumption of coffee.

1. Insomnia and Anxiety

Extreme intake of the beverage has been observed to cause of upset to the pattern of sleep of the consumer, which could ultimately lead to insomnia if not put under check. Anxiety is also known to develop in the consumers (most times, momentarily)

2. Medications

Coffee has the potential of interfering with medications, mostly those meant for psychiatric/depression. It also interferes with those meant for heartburn and thyroid.

3. Bone Loss

Caffeine content in coffee may cause bone loss in women who are in post menopause stage if they consume too much of the beverage and don't consider having some calcium added to their daily diet.

4. Toxicity

Coffee can really be bad for you if the coffee itself is of bad quality. Impurities present in coffee may really make it a cause of illness ranging from headache to breaking down completely.

5. Pregnant Women and Kids

Foetus are known to be sensitive to caffeine which is the active stimulating ingredient of coffee while kids taking coffee may experience bed wetting. Thus it is concluded that coffee intake is not good enough for pregnant women and kids.

Image Credit: Pexels

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References: Torange,Nuturi Medical,Alzheimer Association,Wikipedia,Style Enrich,Archives of Medical Science,Cancer Research UK,Health Line,AARP,Mayo Clinics,Life Stages,HiLine Coffee,DownSize Me, American Journal of Epidemiology, Pexels.