Is coffee OK to drink or not?

December 5, 2016

By Tamara Brown, MPH, RD, LD

If the thought of starting your day without a cup of steaming coffee overwhelms you, then read on, because a cup of morning joe may not be such a bad thing. Questions about coffee are so common in classes and consultations that I, the Deli Detective at Nutritional Weight & Wellness, decided to crack the coffee case.

Regular versus decaf

Many people want to know if it is better to choose regular or decaf beans. It's best to go with regular coffee because in most cases in order to make decaf coffee, a chemical solvent is used to remove the caffeine and this may leave a residue in your brew. To avoid consuming these chemicals, it's better to choose regular coffee. However, decaf can also be made using a water process in which the beans are soaked in hot water to remove the caffeine. Since no chemicals are used in this process, this type of decaf is a better option for those of you who want to avoid caffeine.

Is organic really better?

The next question is whether to pick organic or non-organic coffee. There is a difference between the two. Coffee is a highly sprayed crop, which means the beans can contain lots of pesticides. When the beans are ground and brewed, pesticide residue can come through and toxins are ingested into the body. Organic coffee means fewer pesticides, but also often means better growing conditions and profit margins for the farmers. So treat yourself to organic coffee. You'll be taking better care of your body, and you can feel good about supporting farmers.

How much coffee is too much?

Drinking a small amount of coffee daily is not a problem for most people. The Mayo clinic recommends no more than 200-300mg of caffeine per day or roughly two to four cups of coffee. Some people are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than others, especially when drinking over four cups of coffee per day. Insomnia, anxiety, irritability, and stomach problems may all be attributed to consuming too much caffeine. If you have any of these symptoms and you have a daily coffee habit, maybe it is time to cut back and see if you notice a difference.

Some studies have even shown positive effects of minimal coffee consumption. Several studies have found that moderate coffee consumption reduces the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease and dementia later in life. Recently, the Pioneer Press ran an article about a study demonstrating that women who drink coffee are less likely to be depressed.

If you are drinking too much coffee and need help cutting back, I recommend a supplement called Crave Control Plus. This supplement helps reduce your need for coffee so that a cup or two per day will satisfy you.

The final word on coffee

A moderate amount of coffee seems to be harmless, unless you are experiencing trouble sleeping, have anxiety, or high blood pressure. If you choose to drink coffee, the Deli Detective suggests limiting it to one or two cups of organic coffee per day.