Debunking Coffee Myths and Revealing Its Health Benefits

Oh, coffee…my true love language! Debunking coffee myths is something I’m excited about because it helps us enjoy the real health benefits of our daily cup. So, clearing up these common myths means we can sip with more confidence and maybe even get some non-coffee drinkers to give it a second look. It’s funny how coffee can divide us. While some of us can’t get enough, others stay away because of old-school coffee myths that need a reality check. Let’s look at some of these truths, bust some myths, and explore the benefits of coffee that might just change how you feel about your morning cup.

Revealing Coffee Myths

1. Firstly, a lot of people think coffee is bad for your heart, but studies show that moderate coffee drinkers have a lower risk of heart disease. So, yes, that morning brew is still good for your heart.
2. Also, there is the popular belief that coffee is dehydrating. Sure, caffeine can make you sprint to the bathroom, but let’s not forget that coffee is mostly water. So, hydration? Covered.
3. Interestingly, some say that adding a splash of milk reduces coffee’s benefits, but science says otherwise. There’s no solid proof that milk reduces the health benefits of coffee.
4. Finally, here’s a fun fact: despite its strong flavor, dark roast coffee actually has less caffeine than light roast. Shorter roasting times mean light roasts retain more caffeine. So, if you are like me and tend to crave a little extra buzz, go for the lighter stuff.

Coffee Health Benefits

Replacing Coffee Myths with Benefits: Coffee Decreases Diabetes

Now that we have finished debunking coffee myths, can we focus on the health benefits? Coffee is practically a superfood (don’t fight me on this). Regular coffee drinkers might see a reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes, thanks to coffee’s positive effect on insulin sensitivity. Research even suggests a 6% lower diabetes risk for each extra cup, and with up to a 30% risk reduction for those sipping five or more cups a day (Kolb et al., 2021). Hence, coffee’s bioactive compounds, especially chlorogenic acids, contribute to liver health and even help preserve those critical beta cells that play a role in insulin production (Kolb et al., 2021). This is very impressive.

Coffee Can Help Reduce Depression, It’s Not a Myth!

Let’s not forget the mood boost. With so much going on in the world, it’s nice to know that coffee can help reduce the risk of depression, which is especially relevant post-pandemic, where mental health has been hit hard. Coffee boosts mood-enhancing neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. A study by Wang et al. (2015) found that each additional cup per day is linked to an 8% lower depression risk. Moderate caffeine intake (68–509 mg daily) shows the best mood-boosting effects, reducing depression risk in regular coffee drinkers. So yes, that early to mid-morning brew is my little joy boost. Now that we have debunked the dark roast versus like roast coffee myth, I like mine with that extra buzz from the light roast, thank you.

Coffee helps with Weight Loss 

Need another reason to keep sipping without focusing on the unclear coffee myths? Coffee is known to have a metabolism-boosting effect, which can help with fat burning, making it a great addition to a healthy lifestyle. This might surprise some people. The compound, cafestol, in coffee promotes fat metabolism. In a study on cafestol, regular coffee drinkers saw slight reductions in body weight and visceral fat over 12 weeks, however, more research is needed to pin down these effects (Holland, 2024; Costa, 2024). Talk about a win-win.

Lastly, did you know coffee could reduce the risk of some cancers? That’s one of the more hidden gems in coffee’s repertoire. For example, recent research links coffee to lower risks of liver and colorectal cancer. A large observational study supported by the World Cancer Research Fund found that people with a history of bowel cancer who drank four or more cups of coffee per day had a 32% lower risk of cancer return than those who drank less (Oyelere et al., 2024). In addition, these coffee lovers saw lower overall mortality rates after diagnosis, suggesting coffee might play a role in improved survival rates (World Cancer Research Fund, 2024). This is very encouraging, though more research is needed to understand the mechanisms.

Conclusion

With all these perks, I can’t help but feel like coffee lovers are onto something big and after debunking coffee myths and exploring the health benefits we can indulge even more without guilt. So, if you are still on the fence, maybe it’s time to grab a cup. You could try out the new EcoBrew coffee machine (that’s the one I use on the go), pour yourself a cup on the go, sip and see what the fuss is all about. You might just find yourself falling in love.

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Reference

1. Kolb, H., Martin, S., & Kempf, K. (2021). Coffee and lower risk of type 2 diabetes: Arguments for a causal relationship. Journal of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism, 17(4), 8066601. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcpm170406

2. Wang, L., Shen, X., Wu, Y., & Zhang, D. (2015). Coffee and caffeine consumption and depression: A meta-analysis of observational studies. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 50(3), 228–238. https://doi.org/10.1177/0004867415603131

3. Costa, K. (2024, October 2). Daily consumption of coffee compound may aid weight loss and fat reduction. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/daily-consumption-of-coffee-compound-may-aid-weight-loss-and-fat-reduction#How-does-cafestol-affect-type-2-diabetes-risk-factors

4. World Cancer Research Fund. (2024). Coffee linked to lower recurrence of bowel cancer. Retrieved from https://www.wcrf.org/latest/news-and-updates/coffee-linked-to-lower-recurrence-of-bowel-cancer/#:~:text=The%20study%20found%20that%20participants,in%20terms%20of%20relative%20risk.