Is Coffee Bad For You

Is coffee bad for you? Actually, research shows that coffee has many health benefits. That's good news if you drink as much coffee as the average American--416 eight-ounce cups in 2009.

1. Mortality. An extensive study at Harvard University, published in 2008, found no connection between coffee drinking and greater mortality risk. Researchers concluded that for most people, coffee is not bad for your health.
2. Diabetes. According to research by Dr. Frank Hu at Harvard University, people who drink six to seven cups of coffee a day are 35 percent less likely to have Type 2 diabetes. People who drink four to six cups of coffee have a 28 percent decreased risk.
3. Other diseases. Coffee also decreases your risk of Parkinson's disease, liver disease, gallstones and liver cancer. If you have asthma, coffee can decrease your symptoms.
4. Cognition. Drinking coffee can improve cognitive performance. According to the Mayo Clinic, four studies have linked coffee drinking to a decreased risk of Alzheimer's disease.
5. Mental health. According to the Mayo Clinic, three studies have found a link between coffee drinking and a decreased risk of suicide. Whether coffee causes the decreased risk or is affected by another factor, however, is unclear.
6. Caffeine. However, the caffeine coffee contains can be bad for you if you. If you drink a lot of coffee, you may experience anxiety, restlessness, sleeplessness and irritability. In addition, caffeine can temporarily raise your blood pressure and lead to withdrawal headaches.
7. Women. Coffee can be bad for women because it reduces calcium absorption, decreases fertility and can cause miscarriages. You can take calcium supplements to offset the loss, but you should avoid drinking lots of coffee while pregnant.