On the day you’re reading this, no matter what it is, approximately 2.6 billion cups of coffee have been consumed around the world.Not surprising considering that Coffee is the second most traded commodity globally.trailing only oil.
Scientific literature has found that drinking coffee every day has many benefits: it protects the liver from cirrhosis, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, protects against diabetes and cancer, protects the brain from neurodegenerative diseases, and helps fight and prevent depression. disease.
However, everyone is different, and the benefits of caffeine vary from person to person. More over, Some people are not suitable for drinking coffee, and their consumption may cause health problems or aggravate existing diseases..
There’s a persistent myth about coffee: People with cardiovascular disease shouldn’t drink it because it can temporarily increase blood pressure and heart rate. However, the Spanish Heart Foundation remembers, Coffee has cardioprotective effects.
“In principle, anyone with high blood pressure or with heart disease can drink 3 or 4 cups of coffee a day, since it has never been possible to prove the harmful properties of coffee associated with cardiovascular pathology,” stresses President Enrique Galve. Member of the Vascular Risk and Cardiac Rehabilitation Section of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (SEC).
In fact, a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association (AHA) showed that circulatory heart failure,make sure Coffee may reduce risk of heart failure, Will limit to 4 cups per day.
An analysis of 400,000 people aged between 50 and 71, published in New England Journal of Medicine It was concluded that drinking coffee daily can reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, stroke, diabetes, infection and injury.
But if you belong to one of these groupsreduce or completely eliminate coffee from your diet.
pregnant woman
coffee contains Caffeine crosses the placenta and reaches the fetus. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends: Pregnant women should consume less than 300 mg of caffeine per day pregnancy period.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Recommendations Limit consumption to less than 200 mg (About two cups per day).
he Excessive caffeine intake during pregnancy It can cause low birth weight, developmental problems, growth restriction, premature birth, or intrauterine death. Other studies show it can lead to overweight in children.
However, an increasing number of studies show that They completely discourage coffee drinking throughout pregnancy.
A recently published study by researchers at Reykjavik University (Iceland) shows that there is no upper limit to the safe daily intake of caffeine for pregnant women and women trying to become pregnant.This review shows Caffeine is harmful to the fetus, even in small amounts.
lactating mother
Breastfeeding mothers should also Limit caffeine intake to avoid passing it to your baby.
The Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) agree Yes, you can drink coffee while breastfeedingunless your doctor or pediatrician decides otherwise.
able Drink coffee in moderation Or lean towards decaffeinated or reduced caffeine varieties
people with anxiety problems
Consuming large amounts of caffeine can Increase the uneasiness and anxiety of susceptible people.Additionally, those diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder may experience Symptoms worsen.
In fact, the DSM-V, the bible of mental illness, lists caffeine as one of the substances that can cause so-called substance-induced anxiety disorders. Caffeine consumption has been linked to anxiety and panic attacks in people who are prone to them.
prefer Decaffeinated or decaffeinated beverages Can help control anxiety.
People with sleep disorders
Because caffeine is a stimulant of the nervous system and affects the brain’s reward system, the stimulating effects of coffee can alter sleep patterns.
Furthermore, When daily intake exceeds 300 mg, caffeine can cause irritability and insomnia. People who suffer from insomnia or other sleep disorders should avoid drinking coffee, especially in the afternoon or after lunch.
To calculate its effects, remember that caffeine has a half-life in the body of 3 to 6 hours, and it may take up to 10 hours to completely leave the system. Drinking coffee 6 hours before bed can disrupt your sleep.
If you consume too much caffeine, you won’t be able to make it wear off faster, but you can counteract its effects by hydrating and exercising.
children and teenagers
Despite extensive research in adults, the effects of caffeine in children are not as clear as in adults, so It is recommended that children and teenagers avoid drinking coffee, especially the youngest ones.. Their nervous systems may be more sensitive to the substance.
Mayo Clinic Guidelines Recommendations Teens ages 12 to 18 limit caffeine intake to 100 mg/dayand the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under 12 years of age not drink any type of caffeine.
exist. .between Effects of excessive caffeine intakehighlighting increased heart rate, lack of concentration and nervousness.
For children and adolescents, encourage the intake of water, milk, vegetable drinks, infusions or natural juices.
People who are sensitive to caffeine
Some people are just more sensitive to caffeine than othersTherefore, side effects such as nervousness, insomnia, and headaches may occur even when taken in moderate amounts.
according to databasethere are two reasons why some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others, and both are genetic: one of them is The liver metabolizes caffeine more slowly,the other is The central nervous system is more sensitiveso even small amounts of caffeine can be highly stimulating in these people.
In these cases, Regular coffee drinking is discouraged.
People with gastrointestinal problems
Coffee can irritate the gastrointestinal system, causing discomfort and worsening of symptoms. People with gastritis, acid reflux, peptic ulcers, or autoimmune diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome or chronic illness.
People with sensitive stomachs may experience symptoms such as heartburn, ulcers, and nausea after consuming it. This happens because coffee relaxes the sphincter at the bottom of the esophagus, allowing stomach acid to rise again.
Regardless, if you fall into this category, don’t drink coffee on an empty stomach, or opt for decaffeinated coffee or other types of brewed drinks.