Is Coffee Good For You?

One popular study suggests moderate coffee consumption (three to five cups a day) diminishes risks for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.¹ Another study states coffee has several metabolic effects that could reduce the risk of gallstone formation.² Many coffee advocates speak of enhanced brain function and athletic performance. And perhaps the most common argument for consuming the substance more people are addicted to than any other is its antioxidant content. But not all studies on coffee are positive. There is a study that links coffee consumption to reduced incidents of breast cancer, but also states it may result in shrinking women’s breasts and enlarging men’s breasts if three or more cups are consumed per day.³ While some studies would disagree, many studies suggest diminishing health benefits and increased risk with greater consumption.^4,5 At OLM, we believe there are much better ways to prevent and cure Alzheimer’s disease and dementia than drinking coffee. A healthy diet will prevent these age-related diseases, and chelation therapy can cure them. Gallstones are also a sign of overall poor health and poor diet. Enhanced brain function and athletic performance can be attributed to caffeine intake, but its effects are fleeting. Like any drug, caffeine works great at first, but sooner or later more and more caffeine is required for you to function at the same level. As with any stimulant, you are better off in the long run without it. As far as antioxidants are concerned, if cocaine were high in antioxidants, that wouldn’t make it healthy. While coffee is high in antioxidants,⁶ there are plenty of other ways to get antioxidants. And while studies have suggested that coffee consumption may reduce the risk of heart disease due to the antioxidants, another study suggests that coffee leads to heart disease.⁷ So, is coffee healthy, or unhealthy? One concern we at OLM have is the pH. Coffee is low-acid, with a pH between 4.5 and 6. While citrus juices are significantly more acidic, alternative health practitioners usually tell you coffee has more of an acidifying affect on the body than any fruits or fruit juices. Regardless of the pH level, the most significant concern we have with coffee is the sugar and/or fake sugar, and the cream and/or fake creamer people put into their coffee. There also may be a significant difference between fresh ground bean coffee and instant coffee. While we did not find studies comparing the two and their health benefits, we typically don’t trust refined processed and/or packaged foods.

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Editor’s Note

When I drink coffee, I get a headache in the back of my head near my neck and my kidneys hurt almost immediately. I never developed much of a taste for coffee, but I know for a fact that it is not good for me. I also believe that coffee can be very hard on the kidneys causing diarrhea, kidney stones, and urinary tract infections. It’s also bad for your central nervous system (that’s why some people get those headaches). When advising people on their health, I always recommend cutting out coffee. But if you do choose to drink coffee, avoid the junk most people put into it. Drink it black or sweetened with raw sugar.

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Editor’s Note

Michael Edwards

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Michael Edwards

Michael Edwards

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