Coffee and Health

Published Jan 19 2010

Americans consume $17.9 billion dollars of coffee each year, according to a 1999 study reported by coffeeresearch.org. From studying college students to busy moms, the cup-of-joe is the most common method for staying awake and alert, even to the point of becoming an addiction for some.

The National Coffee Association reports that 54 percent of adult Americans drink it every day, and 25 percent drink it occasionally. Coffeeresearch.org says that the 108,000,000 coffee-drinkers in America each consume an average of 3.1 cups of coffee per day.

However, what is this beloved drink doing to our health, though? Is it safe to consume such large quantities of coffee on a regular basis?

Excessive caffeine can overstimulate the nervous system and cause anxiety, according to Suite101.com, and even become as severe as to cause the adrenal glands to become exhausted, decreasing stress resistance and making the body more vulnerable to other health hazards.

Coffee can also contribute to hypoglycemia, osteoporosis and even kidney disease, to name a few.

In addition, coffee stains the teeth over time and causes chronic bad breath. If sugar is regularly added to your tall, grande or venti drink, your chances of exstensive tooth decay are also increased.

Many people enjoy coffee, and many people need the extra energy it provides. However, moderation is the key when it comes to American tradition. Try to limit your coffee intake to one cup a day. Other sources of energy such as fiber-rich foods and fruits.