The Disadvantages of Drinking Coffee
You may worry about drinking coffee thanks to periodic warnings about it stunting your growth or causing cancer and heart disease. There is research, however, that suggests that drinking a moderate amount of coffee a day could actually protect your health, according to Harvard Health Publications. Still, drinking coffee could have some disadvantages.
Conflicting Research
Drinking high levels of unfiltered coffee may increase your risk of slightly higher cholesterol levels, according to Harvard Medical School. Drinking at least two cups of coffee per day may also increase your risk of heart disease if you have a genetic mutation that slows down how quickly your body breaks down caffeine. The Harvard School of Public Health, however, examined the relationship between mortality and coffee consumption in two separate studies -- a combined study of about 130,000 volunteers -- and found no correlation between coffee consumption and increased risk of dying from any cause or condition. The 2004 study even accounted for people who consumed up to six cups of coffee every day.
- Drinking high levels of unfiltered coffee may increase your risk of slightly higher cholesterol levels, according to Harvard Medical School.
- Drinking at least two cups of coffee per day may also increase your risk of heart disease if you have a genetic mutation that slows down how quickly your body breaks down caffeine.
Unhealthy Coffee Drinks
Can You Drink Coffee and Take Cayenne Pepper?
Learn More
Most research pertaining to coffee and its health effects is based on coffee that is black or contains some sugar or milk rather than the fancy coffee beverages you can buy at a coffeehouse. These beverages contain coffee but also are frequently high in calories. For instance, a 24-ounce mocha iced blended coffee drink with whipped cream can contain up to 500 calories; this accounts for about 25 percent of the average person’s daily caloric intake. Because beverages tend to be less filling than foods, you aren’t as likely to eat fewer calories later in your day just because you had a calorie-rich beverage. Consuming too many calories can lead to weight gain and weight-related health problems such as type 2 diabetes.
- Most research pertaining to coffee and its health effects is based on coffee that is black or contains some sugar or milk rather than the fancy coffee beverages you can buy at a coffeehouse.
Overconsumption Risks
If you’re like most healthy adults, you can safely consume about 200 to 300 milligrams of caffeine per day, which equals around two to four cups of brewed coffee. You are more likely to experience unwanted effects such as insomnia, nervousness, irritability, upset stomach, muscle tremors and increased heartbeat if you drink more than four cups of coffee a day. However, caffeine sensitivity plays a role, too. You are more likely to experience negative effects with smaller amounts if you aren’t used to consuming caffeine, if you have a small body size or if you have an anxiety disorder.
- If you’re like most healthy adults, you can safely consume about 200 to 300 milligrams of caffeine per day, which equals around two to four cups of brewed coffee.
- You are more likely to experience negative effects with smaller amounts if you aren’t used to consuming caffeine, if you have a small body size or if you have an anxiety disorder.
Negative Interactions
Weight Loss With Caffeine & Aspirin
Learn More
You may also be at increased risk of ill effects from coffee if it contains caffeine and you take certain medications or herbal supplements. For instance, certain antibacterial medications can impede caffeine’s breakdown and increase the amount of time that its effects linger in your body. Additionally, you may experience heart palpitations, nausea and vomiting if you drink caffeinated coffee in conjunction with a bronchodilator called theophylline. You can reduce your risk of experiencing negative effects if you ask your pharmacist or doctor about whether consuming coffee could influence your medications.
- You may also be at increased risk of ill effects from coffee if it contains caffeine and you take certain medications or herbal supplements.
- You can reduce your risk of experiencing negative effects if you ask your pharmacist or doctor about whether consuming coffee could influence your medications.
Related Articles
References
- Harvard Health Publications: Coffee Health Risks
- Harvard Medical School: What is it About Coffee?
- Harvard School of Public Health: Ask the Expert: Coffee and Health
- Chrysant SG. The impact of coffee consumption on blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther. 2017;15(3):151-156. doi:10.1080/14779072.2017.1287563
- O'keefe JH, Dinicolantonio JJ, Lavie CJ. Coffee for Cardioprotection and Longevity. Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 2018;61(1):38-42. doi:10.1016/j.pcad.2018.02.002
- Mesas AE, Leon-muñoz LM, Rodriguez-artalejo F, Lopez-garcia E. The effect of coffee on blood pressure and cardiovascular disease in hypertensive individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2011;94(4):1113-26. doi:10.3945/ajcn.111.016667
- Geleijnse JM. Habitual coffee consumption and blood pressure: an epidemiological perspective. Vasc Health Risk Manag. 2008;4(5):963-70. doi:10.2147/vhrm.s3055
- Voskoboinik A, Kalman JM, Kistler PM. Caffeine and Arrhythmias: Time to Grind the Data. JACC Clin Electrophysiol. 2018;4(4):425-432. doi:10.1016/j.jacep.2018.01.012
- Klatsky AL, Hasan AS, Armstrong MA, Udaltsova N, Morton C. Coffee, caffeine, and risk of hospitalization for arrhythmias. Perm J. 2011;15(3):19-25.
- Pereira MA, Parker ED, Folsom AR. Coffee consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: an 11-year prospective study of 28 812 postmenopausal women. Arch Intern Med. 2006;166(12):1311-6. doi:10.1001/archinte.166.12.1311
- Kokubo Y, Iso H, Saito I, et al. The impact of green tea and coffee consumption on the reduced risk of stroke incidence in Japanese population: the Japan public health center-based study cohort. Stroke. 2013;44(5):1369-74. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.111.677500
- Sofi F, Conti AA, Gori AM, et al. Coffee consumption and risk of coronary heart disease: a meta-analysis. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2007;17(3):209-23. doi:10.1016/j.numecd.2006.07.013
- Guest, NS, Jamnik, J, Womack, C, El-Sohemy, A. Genetic variation related to caffeine metabolism or response during exercise. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2015;12(S1), P53. doi:10.1186/1550-2783-12-S1-P53
- Rendón MY, Dos Santos Scholz MB, Bragagnolo N. Is cafestol retained on the paper filter in the preparation of filter coffee? Food Res Int. 2017;100(Pt 1):798-803. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2017.08.013
- Mostofsky E, Rice MS, Levitan EB, Mittleman MA. Habitual coffee consumption and risk of heart failure: a dose-response meta-analysis. Circ Heart Fail. 2012;5(4):401-5. doi:10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.112.967299
- Tian DD, Natesan S, White JR, Paine MF. Effects of Common CYP1A2 Genotypes and Other Key Factors on Intraindividual Variation in the Caffeine Metabolic Ratio: An Exploratory Analysis. Clin Transl Sci. 2019;12(1):39-46. doi:10.1111/cts.12598
- D'Elia L, Cairella G, Garbagnati F, et al. Moderate Coffee Consumption is Associated with Lower Risk of Stroke: Meta-analysis of Prospective Studies. J Hypertension 2012; 30 (e-Supplement A):e107
- Hasan AS, Morton C, Armstrong MA, et al. Coffee, Caffeine, And Risk Of Hospitalization For Arrhythmias. EPI|NPAM 2010; March 2-5, 2010, San Francisco, CA. Abstract P461.
Writer Bio
Christa Miller is a writing professional with expertise in massage therapy and health. Miller attended San Francisco State University to earn a Bachelor of Arts in creative writing with a minor in journalism and went on to earn an Arizona massage therapy license.