International Coffee Day 2022: can coffee be good for our health?

3 min read /
General Nutrition
International Coffee Day

For the past 21 years the world has celebrated coffee and its diversity on the 1st of October. International Coffee Day aims to celebrate coffee, enjoyed by countless people for its energy and mental boosting effects, yet little is known about the potential health benefits.

Since the discovery of coffee in the 15th century, numerous studies have been conducted on the health benefits of the coffee bean. Many of these discoveries have become common knowledge such as the fact that coffee has been proven to have an impact on energy levels and that it can help in decreasing the risk of a stroke. ¹ More recent studies have indicated that coffee may play a role in conditions involving the brain. Research conducted between 1990 and 2019 explained the link between the consumption of coffee the impact on degenerative brain conditions, like, Parkinson’s Disease² and dementia³

Properties in coffee, both roasted and unroasted green coffee beans have been found to  play a role in preventing some non-communicable diseases such as  Type 2 Diabetes and cardiovascular disease. ³

Though these properties have been identified there is evidence to show that the green coffee bean (raw coffee) contains more antioxidants and other properties before being altered by the roasting process. ⁴

Coffee, a beverage enjoyed by many contains health benefits and serves as a brilliant ice breaker in social situations. Join us in celebrating World Coffee Day by having your favorite version of a warm or cold cup of coffee ⁵

References:

  1. American Heart Association. Coffee, green tea may help lower risk, research shows in Science Daily. 13 March 2013. Accessed 26 September 2022. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130314180140.htm
  2. Bai, CH, Chan, L & Hong CT. The Effect of Caffeine on the Risk and Progression of Parkinson’s Disease: A Meta-Analysis in Nutrients, 2020 Jun; 12(6): 1860. Published online June 2020. Accessed 26 September 2022 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7353179/#:~:text=The%20consumption%20of%20coffee%20or,risk%20of%20PD%20%5B5%5D.
  3. Bae, JH, Park JH, IM SS and Song DK. Coffee and Health in Integrative Medical Research. December 2014 pages 198-191. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213422014000456
  4. Ramalakshmi, K, Kubra, IR & Rao. LI. Physicochemical Characteristics of Green Coffee: Comparison of Graded and Defective Beans in Journal of Food Science. Published May 29, 2007.  https://ift.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1750-3841.2007.00379.x
  5. FDA. Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much? December 12 2018. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/spilling-beans-how-much-caffeine-too-much#:~:text=For%20healthy%20adults%2C%20the%20FDA,associated%20with%20dangerous%2C%20negative%20effects. Accessed 29 September 2022