Is coffee good for your health? A sensory and scientific exploration
Share
Is coffee good for your health? A sensory and scientific exploration
By Muse & Gaïa – Cossonay
Summary
- Introduction: Coffee, an everyday companion
- A brief history of a beverage studied like no other
- What's in a cup: A journey to the heart of its components
- An ally for the brain? Coffee and cognitive functions
- Coffee and major chronic diseases
- What about mental health?
- Coffee during pregnancy: What the science says
- Between myth and reality: What we believed, what we know
- Conclusion: Savor, know, transmit
Introduction: Coffee, an everyday companion
There's something reassuring, almost ancestral, about the smell of coffee. For many, it's the start of a day, a moment of respite, a break between breaths. But what do we really know about this beverage? Is it good for us, beyond the pleasure it provides? For several decades, science has been looking into the question, sometimes with suspicion, today with interest.
A brief history of a beverage studied like no other
In 2018, during an international workshop organized in Mexico City by the International Coffee Organization (ICO), researchers from various backgrounds gathered to share the current state of knowledge on the links between coffee and health. Among them, French neurobiologist Astrid Nehlig, a recognized specialist in the impact of caffeine on the brain, recalled that coffee is one of the most studied beverages in food history. "More than a thousand publications have addressed its effects, both positive and negative, but today's consensus clearly leans towards moderate and beneficial consumption," she declared.
What's in a cup: A journey to the heart of its components
Every cup of coffee is a laboratory. It contains caffeine, chlorogenic acid, powerful antioxidants, diterpenes, B vitamins, magnesium, and calcium. A French study conducted in 2011 even estimated that 67% of the antioxidants ingested daily by the adult population came from coffee. Much more than from tea, wine, or fruit.
An ally for the brain? Coffee and cognitive functions
Caffeine acts on alertness, motivation, and concentration by blocking adenosine receptors and stimulating dopamine. Several studies have shown that regular consumption of 3 to 4 cups per day reduces the risk of cognitive decline. The FINE study, conducted on European men over 10 years, revealed a 2-point reduced decline on the MMSE scale in moderate drinkers compared to non-drinkers.
Coffee and major chronic diseases
Numerous studies highlight a link between coffee consumption and a reduced risk of chronic diseases:
Type II Diabetes: Each additional cup per day reduces the risk by 6 to 11%, even with decaffeinated coffee.
Cardiovascular diseases: 3 to 5 cups per day are associated with a decrease in mortality.
Metabolic syndrome: Improvement in waist circumference, blood pressure, and glycemic regulation.
Liver diseases: particularly cirrhosis and liver cancer, see their risk reduced in regular consumers.
What about mental health?
Rui Daniel Prediger, a Brazilian researcher, showed that 4 cups of coffee per day could reduce the risk of depression by 10 to 20%, and up to 50% for the risk of suicide. Although it does not replace any treatment, coffee appears to act on serotonin and dopamine, two key neurotransmitters for well-being.
Coffee during pregnancy: What the science says
The EFSA recommends a maximum of 200 mg of caffeine per day for pregnant women. Up to this dose, no study has shown effects on fertility or fetal development. Beyond that, an increased risk of low birth weight is observed. Caution is therefore advised, especially in the 3rd trimester when caffeine is metabolized more slowly.
Between myth and reality: What we believed, what we know
Coffee is neither a poison nor a miracle. It does not cause long-term hypertension, does not cause dehydration, and is not classified as a carcinogen. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) removed it from the category of potentially dangerous substances in 2016. Even better: it could protect against several types of cancer (liver, breast, prostate, skin).
Conclusion: Savor, know, transmit
Every sip of coffee is a concentrate of history, science, and sensation. At Muse & Gaïa, we believe that specialty coffee is not just a beverage: it's a way of inhabiting the world, taking care of oneself, and sharing the intensity of life. May this cup be the beginning of a beautiful conversation between your palate... and your health.