A Cup of Coffee A Day Keeps the Doctor Away?

Written by Lori Thiessen

When coffee was first marketed to late 17^th century English potential consumers, it was touted as a healthy elixir guaranteed to cure or prevent everything from headaches, consumption, coughs, dropsy, gout, scurvy, scrofula, miscarriages, diseases of the spleen, gas and other digestive problems to nervous disorders.

Sound like a likely story?

Modern medicine has taken another look at coffee and found that these early claims may contain some proof of the efficacious qualities of the black brew. There have been some reports that coffee will, indeed, help you with your gout. Some studies have shown early indications that coffee will reduce your risk of Type 2 diabetes, memory loss in women, as well as lowering your risk of heart disease and some cancers. In fact, drinking moderate amounts of coffee daily (2-5 cups) can help you with your nervous disorders (e.g. depression). But some studies are showing that some people handle coffee better than others.

But before you get too excited about ordering a double shot espresso, be advised that the medical community is still mulling over the information. The Harvard Medical School released news that coffee is okay in small doses over the entire day. The ill effects of coffee like nervousness, heart palpitations, and increased blood pressure comes from drinking gallons of the stuff.

So go ahead and have that cup of coffee just be sure to have an apple with it too!

Until Next Time,

May your coffee always be freshly brewed!