Three to five cups of coffee are good for the heart

Coffee consumption was long considered a health risk. We now know that its ingredients prevent arteriosclerosis, metabolic diseases and even some types of cancer.

Scientific studies show that Coffee is better for your health than its reputation. While experts have long argued about how its consumption affects the cardiovascular system and assumed negative consequences, more recent studies suggest a protective effect.

“People who drink three to five cups of coffee a day are less likely to suffer from vascular diseases, coronary heart disease (CHD), a Heart attack or Stroke than someone who doesn’t drink coffee,” Dr. Reinhold Lunow the current state of research.

The internist and medical director of the Praxisklinik Bornheim between Cologne and Bonn says: "Although a lot of caffeine can increase blood pressure in the short term, chronically elevated blood pressure values ​​are not due to coffee consumption, even if you drink more than five cups."

Coffee reduces arteriosclerosis

In fact, the blood vessels of coffee drinkers have less calcium deposits than those of coffee abstainers. In addition to less frequent arteriosclerosis, there are also fewer metabolic disorders: Diabetes, pathological changes in lipid metabolism or gout are rarer among coffee drinkers.

Scientists blame the so-called polyphenols, secondary plant substances in coffee, for this. They initiate a cleansing process in the cells of vital organs such as the heart, Liver and in the skeletal muscles: The cells clean themselves and remove superfluous and harmful substances, such as their own and foreign proteins that are no longer needed. Viruses and bacteria are also disposed of in this way.

What is still usable is reused in this process called autophagy or autophagocytosis – a mechanism that is important, for example, during fasting when the supply of vital nutrients is reduced.

Coffee is best black

"For this process to work, you should drink coffee without animal milk, as this contains the amino acid methionine," says Dr. Lunow. "It limits autophagy. It is better to drink your coffee black or alternatively with almond milk or coconut milk."

Coffee had a long reputation Cancer This assumption is now considered outdated. For some types of cancer – colon cancer, Prostate cancer, bladder cancer, brain tumors, cancer in the mouth - much indicates that it has a protective effect. However, it is still unclear which ingredients in coffee could be responsible for this.

Despite these good qualities, coffee should be consumed with caution. As with all foods and beverages, it depends on the amount consumed. Contrary to popular belief, coffee does not have a dehydrating effect; caffeine only temporarily increases the filtering function of the kidneys and thus the production of urine. Nevertheless, coffee should not be used as a thirst quencher after Sports but instead use water and fruit juice spritzers.

Taking medication without coffee

“You can generally enjoy coffee with a clear conscience,” says Dr. Lunow. “Restraint is recommended during pregnancy and in cases of a difficult-to-control hypertension. "

Coffee is also not suitable for taking medication, as it affects some medicinal ingredients. “If you drink coffee in the morning, for example, Thyroid hormones (thyroxine, fT4), should not do so with coffee and should also wait at least half an hour afterwards,” advises the expert for diagnostics and prevention, "because coffee delays the absorption of hormones into the bloodstream. The result is lower T4 levels in the blood."

(Image: amenic181 - Fotolia.com)