Studies have challenged the idea that coffee is bad for human health, with both Arabica and Robusta beans containing compounds that may make coffee drinkers healthier. The compounds in Arabica beans, Kahweol and cafestol, can cause health problems, but filtering removes most of them. Coffee can have benefits such as preventing certain types of cancer and heart arrhythmias, but can also trigger migraines, contribute to stomach ulcers, and raise blood pressure. It is best to follow the advice of a healthcare professional.
The coffee and health debate is likely to continue for a long time. Initially, studies suggested that coffee was not very beneficial for human health, but more extensive research has challenged this idea. Both Coffea arabica and Coffea robusta appear to contain compounds that may actually make coffee drinkers healthier. Despite concerns about the compounds in Arabica beans, it would be a bit of a stretch to say that they are unhealthy.
The first studies on coffee that concluded that it was bad for consumers often did not take other factors into account. Many regular coffee drinkers of the time also smoked and drank, for example, and these activities have clearly been linked to health problems. A closer look revealed that many of the problems associated with drinking coffee were actually due to other influences.
The two compounds in question in Arabica coffee beans are Kahweol and cafestol. Both are diterpene compounds, and both have been linked to health problems. Kahweol seems to raise liver enzymes. Cafestol causes an increase in bad cholesterol, and is found in Arabica and Robusta beans, although Arabica has a much higher concentration of the substance. It’s best not to consume too much, but brewing coffee with a filter removes most of these compounds, making the coffee perfectly safe to drink.
In fact, coffee with Arabica beans can be good for people. Coffee drinkers in the Netherlands and Japan were found to be less prone to certain types of cancer. The high levels of antioxidants in coffee are probably responsible for this. It can also help prevent heart arrhythmias, reduce cavities, and kill bacteria. Further study is required, but it seems clear that the benefits of coffee outweigh the potential costs, especially when the diterpenes are removed through filtering. Many of these findings apply to both Arabica and Robusta beans, much to the delight of people who prefer the more caffeinated Robusta species.
However, coffee can trigger migraines, contribute to stomach ulcers, and raise blood pressure. In some cases, a medical professional may recommend that a patient consider reducing their coffee intake or switching to a decaffeinated version. People should always follow the advice provided by a healthcare professional, as he or she is more aware of issues that are unique to the patient’s body.
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