By: Simone Quenneville, RD
Coffee: Is it good or bad for you?
While winter shows no sign of going away anytime soon, some of us may feel inclined to reach for an extra cup of coffee on these cold and dreary days. For decades, scientists have studied the health effects of coffee – is it really healthy for you or should you stay away? This week, Mint Nutrition Clinic if focusing on this topic. Read what a Registered Dietitian (Nutritionist) has to say below.
Studies are showing you may benefit from your daily cup of coffee. Drinking coffee in moderate amounts has been linked to lowering the risk of heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes. This may be attributed to the antioxidant properties found in coffee.
So what is considered moderate consumption? The recommendation for adults is less than 400 mg of caffeine a day or no more than 4 cups of coffee. For pregnant and breastfeeding women, the limit is 300 mg per day. However, if you notice you are sensitive to caffeine and experience symptoms such as headache, irritability, and trouble sleeping you may want to limit your consumption. Opt for black or green tea which is lower in caffeine and is also rich in antioxidants.
One 250 mL cup of coffee generally contains about 100 mg of caffeine, black tea has about half this amount, with even less in green tea. Caffeine is also found in other foods such as chocolate, energy drinks, and soft drinks. Coffee is not recommended for children and adolescents.
While winter shows no sign of going away anytime soon, some of us may feel inclined to reach for an extra cup of coffee on these cold and dreary days. For decades, scientists have studied the health effects of coffee – is it really healthy for you or should you stay away? This week, Mint Nutrition Clinic if focusing on this topic. Read what a Registered Dietitian (Nutritionist) has to say below.
Studies are showing you may benefit from your daily cup of coffee. Drinking coffee in moderate amounts has been linked to lowering the risk of heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes. This may be attributed to the antioxidant properties found in coffee.
So what is considered moderate consumption? The recommendation for adults is less than 400 mg of caffeine a day or no more than 4 cups of coffee. For pregnant and breastfeeding women, the limit is 300 mg per day. However, if you notice you are sensitive to caffeine and experience symptoms such as headache, irritability, and trouble sleeping you may want to limit your consumption. Opt for black or green tea which is lower in caffeine and is also rich in antioxidants.
One 250 mL cup of coffee generally contains about 100 mg of caffeine, black tea has about half this amount, with even less in green tea. Caffeine is also found in other foods such as chocolate, energy drinks, and soft drinks. Coffee is not recommended for children and adolescents.
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References:
1.https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/food-safety/food-additives/caffeine-foods/foods.html
2.https://www.eatright.org/health/wellness/preventing-illness/benefits-of-coffee
3.https://www.unlockfood.ca/en/Articles/Caffeine/Facts-on-Caffeine.aspx