Is caffeine actually good for you?

[Puppycow]

Caffeine May Slow Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, Restore Cognitive Function, According to New Evidence

Mouse Study Suggests Caffeine Boosts Athletic Performance

And the best thing about the latter study:

Currently, caffeine is not listed as a banned substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

And to think that they made decaf for people who wanted a healthier alternative.

More here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_effects_of_coffee

There are some studies suggesting benefits and others suggesting risks, but the benefits seem to outweigh the risks.

 

[Scott Haley]

The apparent health effects of coffee may not all be the caffeine. There's a lot of chemicals in coffee, and researchers suspect that some benefits may come from the other ones.

 

[Puppycow]

The apparent health effects of coffee may not all be the caffeine. There's a lot of chemicals in coffee, and researchers suspect that some benefits may come from the other ones.

True, but the animal studies used just the caffeine.

 

[ThunderChunky]

It boost physical and cognitive performance. On the downside, it is a mutagen, but it does not seem to be linked with cancer AFAIK. It can be habit forming though (and you build a tolerance), so IMO it should be used when needed and not all the time.

 

[Professor Yaffle]

Conclusions
The data suggest a strong inverse association between coffee intake and risk of suicide. Whether regular intake of coffee or caffeine has clinically significant effects on the maintenance of affect or the prevention of depression merits further investigation in clinical trials and population-based prospective studies.

http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/156/5/521

 

[Professor Yaffle]

The apparent health effects of coffee may not all be the caffeine. There's a lot of chemicals in coffee, and researchers suspect that some benefits may come from the other ones.

Like decrease in risk of type 2 diabetes:

CONCLUSIONS—These results suggest that moderate consumption of both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee may lower risk of type 2 diabetes in younger and middle-aged women. Coffee constituents other than caffeine may affect the development of type 2 diabetes.

http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/29/2/398.short

 

[Richard Masters]

http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/156/5/521

I totally knew about this one. Unfortunately, coffee withdrawals tend to make me feel worse, so I try to avoid coffee unless I'm feeling quite down.

 

[Dancing David]

http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/156/5/521

Interesting but only cited by two articles on PubMed, the methodology is hard to judge.

 

[shawmutt]

Steven Novella's Neurologica blog had a really good article on this, enough to make me quit caffeine. I quit when I first read the article, and now that the headaches are gone I feel fine. I still drink a pot of decaf a day though

http://www.theness.com/neurologicablog/?p=2023

 

[BenBurch]

Caffeine in large doses may also be protective against acute ionizing radiation exposure.

http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s31081.htm

 

[wolfgirl]

I heard one of the authors of one of these studies on NPR the other day. Apparently the anti-Alzheimer's effect only kicks in at five cups a day! And since the studies were done on mice, their transferability to humans is somewhat questionable.

 

[LibraryLady]

I was told by my allergist that coffee is very good for asthma, and to drink a cup every morning. I loved that man.

 

[I Ratant]

Like decrease in risk of type 2 diabetes:

http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/29/2/398.short

.
I swam in the stuff for 40 years.
And got Type II anyway.
Still swimming.

 

[Hellbound]

And since the studies were done on mice, their transferability to humans is somewhat questionable.

I'm taking no chances. Bring me another pot!

.
I swam in the stuff for 40 years.
And got Type II anyway.
Still swimming.

Whew, good thing. You might have had type 3 or even 4 if it wasn't for that coffee

 

[Mister Earl]

If five cups a day is good for you, then I should live to be 1,ooo years old.

/Been a heavy coffee drinker since I was 12 years old

 

[Moon-Spinner]

Caffeine is very bad for me, and as for chocolate candy I have to eat very little, and always read the labels on soft drinks.

One cup of coffee will make my heart race, breathing difficult, I start to get numb in my fingers and toes, and shaky, it becomes hard to walk, and if there's much more caffeine in my system, I'll black out.

 

[Mister Earl]

One cup of coffee will make my heart race, breathing difficult, I start to get numb in my fingers and toes, and shaky, it becomes hard to walk, and if there's much more caffeine in my system, I'll black out.

Whoa. Have you ever considered David Letterman's "Stupid Human Tricks" segment?

 

[Bikewer]

And just what, pray tell, is wrong with being addicted to coffee? I figure I'm supporting a major portion of the Columbian economy.
Juan Valdez personally sent me a letter of thanks last year.

 

[Dancing David]

I heard one of the authors of one of these studies on NPR the other day. Apparently the anti-Alzheimer's effect only kicks in at five cups a day! And since the studies were done on mice, their transferability to humans is somewhat questionable.

And if you have the mice in a maze full of water.

 

[James Fox]

Some cancer coffe news to encoourage more cups o Joe!!
"Coffee may help prevent head, neck cancers, study shows"
The news story: http://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog/archives/211926.asp
The study:http://aacr.pr-optout.com/ViewAttachment.aspx?EID=K6ituFshGjFZW+YTy3w0FxLywimLmlHnsYjCvpnLm+A=

Of note is that the study is currently "embargoed". I'm not sure what this means but it could indicate some faulty research or mistakes by the researchers.