Is coffee bad for you?

[Robert****]

I drink A LOT of coffee. Just wondering anyone has any good sources regarding health risks associated with large amounts of Java consumed buy a guy like me. I've been at it since I was 17 maybe.

I have a problem with my fingers and toes, in that they go numb easily in cold weather and I have read coffee may worsen this condition.

My addiction to coffee is very strong.

[Bloozcat]

I suppose it depends upon which report you believe. There's always some new report popping up that either extols the virtues of coffee (caffeine), or condemns it as the devil's nectar.

I like the, "it's ok in moderation", approach. I've cut my consumption down to two large cups in the morning and that's it for the day.

What was the George Carlin skit?

"The Food and Drug administration announced today that saliva causes cancer. But, only if swallowed in small amounts over long periods of time..."

[R_of_G]

Everything in moderation. I know it seems to be good for me in he morning

[bigoldron]

I drink A LOT of coffee. Just wondering anyone has any good sources regarding health risks associated with large amounts of Java consumed buy a guy like me. I've been at it since I was 17 maybe.

I have a problem with my fingers and toes, in that they go numb easily in cold weather and I have read coffee may worsen this condition.

My addiction to coffee is very strong.

Yeah, but look at what it'll do to your veins!

[marnold***]

Most of what I've read (and I'm by no means an expert) indicates that moderate intake of 2-3 cups per day is actually beneficial. Once you start getting beyond that, the negatives start coming in.

Oh and if you think your fingers go cold easily now, try lopping your fingertips off

[abraxas]

There are two distinct issues here: health risks related to caffeine and health risks related to coffee consumption. Those may be unrelated since coffee also contains a lot of other substances and caffeine can be found in a lot of other beverages; black or green tea, for instance. Sometimes it is the other ingredients in coffee that can cause trouble.

Chronic consumption of large caffeine quantities has been related to lowered insulin sensitivity. That means that, any carbs you consume, have better chances ending as deposited fat tissue... not good. On the other hand, the ergogenic qualities of caffeine are well documented. In fact, caffeine is considered a controlled substance for Olympic events, above certain quantities (measured in blood).

I'd say, as a man of almost 40 (such as myself) you should arrange for a yearly medical checkup. Especially since you are athletically active, and I suppose you want to be in top shape! If something dubious shows up, certainly consult your doctor indicating your high coffee consumption. The problem you mention about hand/feet extremities is indeed known in the bibliography and somewhat linked to coffee consumption, among other things. There is a number of over the counter supplements you can probably take for those issues, as well as prescribed drugs, of course.

Since you mentioned it Robert, is there something in Sweden about coffee? My friend Spiros (who lives in Sweden) also consumes vast quantities of quality coffee, and the same holds true of other Swedes I know! Our own Superswede has something to say about it?

[Rocket]

Honestly, if coffee is bad for me... I don't want to know about it!

[Robert****]

Yeah, Swedes drink insane amounts of coffee generally.

[Tone2TheBone]

I heard running's bad for you though. *ducks*

[Algonquin]

Running ducks?

I thought they either swam or flew :

[Tone2TheBone]

Running ducks?

I thought they either swam or flew :

For that awful joke you have to send me back the GE-7.

[Algonquin]

For that awful joke you have to send me back the GE-7.

Clearly I'm in need of a coffee...

[Blaze]

Can not start the day without 2 long expressos ,taste so good , 1 at noon and 1 late in the afternoon..

Side effects : sometimes bad gastric reflux ...Ouch !!

[just strum]

I heard that one or two cups a day are good for you, but it sounds like you are beyond that and possibly may be chewing beans and passing on the water.

Coffee has always been a strange thing for me. I can be at work and suddenly say "that's it" and won't touch a drop for a year or two. I am currently a coffee drinker, three cups at work, none at night, and never on weekends. It's not by design, I just don't have the urge for it at home. In the 16 years we've lived in this house, I can easily count the number of times I've had coffee on one hand.

[just strum]

Can not start the day without 2 long expressos ,taste so good , 1 at noon and 1 late in the afternoon..

Side effects : sometimes bad gastric reflux ...Ouch !!

One word: Pepcid

[BluesHowler]

All I know is if I don't have my coffee every morning I can be bad to the people around me.

I drink two 24 oz coffees every day and I also have a cup of black or green tea later in the day.

[abraxas]

One word: Pepcid

I have the same condition some years now... (gastroesophagus reflux). Only Pariet (prescription drug) seems to really help and "cure" (at least for some time), this condition. Any anti-acidic (sp?) medications are just temporary fixes I'm afraid.

[SuperSwede]

Since you mentioned it Robert, is there something in Sweden about coffee? My friend Spiros (who lives in Sweden) also consumes vast quantities of quality coffee, and the same holds true of other Swedes I know! Our own Superswede has something to say about it?

Iirc Sweden is number 2 on the list of coffee drinking countries.
The coffee is usually very strong too.

I drink a lot of coffee (probably too much).

[Jimi75]

German coffee drinker here.....we drink huge amounts in the office. We got one of these pad machines and with about 6 persons we dring 120-140 pads per week.

I can't stop drinking coffee.