Is Coffee Bad for You?

Is Coffee Bad for You? If you've watched the news at all in the last 10 years, then you know how mixed the message on coffee has been. One study claims coffee is bad for you, while another claims it's actually good for your health. So which is it? Is coffee really bad for you? This article takes a closer look at the pros and cons of coffee drinking, based on research over the last 10 years or so. The truth is, there are some really good things about coffee, if you do it right and avoid becoming dependent on the black stuff. We'll start with the cons… The Cons of Drinking Coffee Sleep Disturbance – If you're a coffee drinker, you may already be aware of this one. The caffeine in coffee can definitely interfere with getting a good night's sleep. But this is an easily preventable disadvantage – simply enjoy your cup of joe earlier in the day, or go with decaf at night. Dehydration – Also due to the caffeine, coffee is a mild diuretic (which increases the frequency of urination) and can dehydrate the body. This problem is easily fixed by having some water before or after your coffee. Dependence – Remember, caffeine is technically a drug, which means that your body can develop a dependence on it. People really do experience caffeine withdrawal. But don't sweat it – in most cases, no serious addiction occurs, and caffeine has been deemed safe for consumption. Health Risks – There are a few health risks of coffee that have been suggested by researchers, including heartburn, acid reflux, irregular heartbeat, increased cholesterol, and increased blood pressure. In most cases, however, these effects are not common. It's always good to be safe and consult your doctor if you have any concerns. The Pros of Drinking Coffee Rich in Antioxidants – This is one of coffee's best everyday benefit. It's rich in a number of antioxidants that help prevent cell damage and slow the aging process. Mental Performance – The caffeine in coffee is a stimulant, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Studies show that coffee leads to increased alertness, focus of alertness, focus, and attention, which can really help with a number of daily tasks. Gallstones and Kidney Stones – There is actually a fair bit of evidence that drinking coffee lowers your risk of developing gallstones and kidney stones, because it increases your urine volume. This has been shown in both men and women. Disease Prevention – There is also limited evidence that coffee may protect you against diseases like Alzheimer's, liver cirrhosis, Type II diabetes, and asthma. Most of these studies have supported these associations with both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee in men and women. So…Is Coffee Bad for You? At the end of the day, coffee really isn't so bad for you. The pros can definitely outweigh the cons. Just make sure you're not filling it full of refined sugar and cream – the fat and sugar are definitely not conducive to a healthy lifestyle. Should You Drink Coffee before a Workout? One last thing. Many people ask me if drinking coffee before a workout is okay. My answer is: Sure, if it works for you, there's really nothing wrong with it. The caffeine is definitely effective at boosting your energy level and helping you get more out over your workout. If you’re not a fan of the pre-workout coffee, some other effective pre-workout energy supplements include Muscle Pharm Assault and USPLabs Jack3d. Both can offer you an amazing energy boost for the most intense workouts and include a number of other ingredients to help with natural lean muscle development. Have any questions or feedback about whether coffee is bad for you? Please leave a comment below…