Dr.'s Blog

Honestly, I LOVE coffee. And I do get a TON of questions about it! So, it’s only right to put together some helpful resources.

As of recent statistics, it’s estimated that approximately 62% of Americans drink coffee every day, making it one of the most widely consumed beverages in the United States.

Coffee, with its invigorating aroma and rich flavor, has long held a cherished place in the hearts and homes of millions around the world. Originating from coffee plantations of tropical regions such as Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia, this beloved beverage has woven itself into the fabric of countless cultures, spanning centuries of history. Beyond its delightful taste and energizing effects, coffee boasts an impressive array of health benefits, supported by scientific research and centuries of anecdotal evidence. Join me as we embark on a journey to uncover the multifaceted wonders of coffee, from its humble origins to its modern-day role as a potent elixir of health and vitality.

History and Origins of Coffee:

The story of coffee begins in the verdant landscapes of Ethiopia, where legend has it that a young goat herder named Kaldi first discovered the stimulating properties of the coffee plant. Observing his goats frolicking with newfound energy after nibbling on the bright red berries of a nearby shrub, Kaldi was inspired to sample the mysterious fruit himself. Thus, the journey of coffee from humble bean to beloved beverage began.

From its origins in Ethiopia, coffee spread across the Arabian Peninsula, where it became a cherished part of social and cultural rituals. By the 15th century, coffee had made its way to the bustling markets and coffeehouses of Europe, where it quickly gained popularity as a stimulating and social beverage. Today, coffee is cultivated in over 70 countries around the world, with Brazil, Colombia, Vietnam, and Ethiopia ranking among the top producers.

Organic Coffee Growing Practices: In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on organic coffee farming practices, aimed at preserving the health of the environment and promoting sustainable agriculture. Organic coffee is typically grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers, relying instead on natural methods of pest control and soil enrichment. By prioritizing soil health, biodiversity, and water conservation, organic coffee farmers strive to produce high-quality beans while minimizing their impact on the planet.

What kind of coffee should i be drinking?

GREAT question. Not all coffee is created equal. The quality of coffee that you drink is going to be essential when choosing your bean, and it’s well worth it! A high quality source of coffee will have more potent health compounds to get the most out of your caffeinated cup, and will have less toxins and other less desired things that you don’t want to be consuming on a regular basis.

More in future posts!

Ideally:

Organic

Shade-grown

Mold-free

Recently roasted

There are plenty of great, quality brands out there now! If you’re out shopping, I usually have the best luck at stores like: local COOPs, Whole Foods, and Fresh Thyme/Sprouts. Others are catching on to the demand for high quality coffee.

Health Benefits of Coffee:

1. Antioxidant Powerhouse: It’s been said that coffee is the number one source of antioxidants for Americans is coffee… and I believe it! It’s rich in antioxidants, including chlorogenic acids, quinides, and polyphenols, which help combat oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. These antioxidants have been linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
2. Enhanced Cognitive Function: This is typically the most sought after ‘use’ of coffee. Boosting that mood and helping you grind through that work project! The caffeine in coffee acts as a central nervous system stimulant, increasing alertness, concentration, and cognitive function. Studies have shown that moderate coffee consumption may help improve memory, mood, and overall mental performance.
3. Protection Against Neurodegenerative Diseases: Coffee has been associated with a lower risk of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The antioxidants in coffee may help protect brain cells from damage and reduce the buildup of harmful proteins linked to these diseases.
4. Metabolic Boost and Weight Management: Caffeine has been shown to stimulate the metabolism and increase fat burning, making coffee a popular choice among those seeking to support weight loss efforts. Additionally, coffee may help suppress appetite and reduce calorie intake, leading to greater satiety and decreased food cravings.
5. Liver Health and Disease Prevention: Regular coffee consumption has been linked to a lower risk of liver diseases such as cirrhosis, liver cancer, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The antioxidants and bioactive compounds in coffee may help protect the liver from damage and promote optimal liver function.
6. Cardiovascular Health: Moderate coffee intake has been associated with a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions. The polyphenols in coffee may help improve blood vessel function, reduce inflammation, and lower blood pressure, contributing to overall heart health.

ergogenic benefits of coffee

aka

performance-enhancing qualities:

1. Improved Endurance: Caffeine, the primary psychoactive compound in coffee, has been shown to enhance endurance performance by increasing the availability of free fatty acids, which serve as a fuel source during prolonged exercise. By sparing glycogen stores and promoting fat oxidation, caffeine helps athletes maintain intensity and delay fatigue during endurance activities such as running, cycling, and swimming.
2. Enhanced Strength and Power: Coffee consumption has been associated with improvements in strength, power, and muscular performance. Caffeine acts on the central nervous system to increase motor unit recruitment, muscle activation, and force production, leading to greater strength gains and performance improvements in activities such as weightlifting, sprinting, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT).
3. Faster Reaction Times: Caffeine has stimulatory effects on the central nervous system, resulting in increased alertness, focus, and reaction times. By enhancing cognitive function and reducing perceived exertion, coffee consumption may help athletes make quicker decisions, react faster to stimuli, and execute movements with greater precision and accuracy, particularly in sports requiring rapid decision-making and agility.
4. Reduced Perceived Effort: Coffee has been shown to reduce the perception of effort during exercise, allowing athletes to sustain higher intensities for longer durations without experiencing undue discomfort or fatigue. By altering perception and tolerance to effort, caffeine may help athletes push through barriers and achieve higher levels of performance during training and competition.
5. Improved Mental Resilience: The psychostimulant effects of caffeine can help athletes maintain mental resilience and focus under challenging conditions, such as during prolonged endurance events or high-pressure competitions. Coffee consumption has been linked to enhanced mental alertness, concentration, and mood, contributing to overall resilience and performance optimization.
6. Increased Fat Oxidation: Caffeine has been shown to enhance fat metabolism and increase the utilization of fat as a fuel source during exercise. By promoting lipolysis and fatty acid mobilization, coffee consumption may help athletes spare glycogen stores, prolong endurance, and improve body composition by facilitating fat loss and preserving lean muscle mass.
7. Accelerated Recovery: Coffee contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds, such as chlorogenic acids and polyphenols, which may help reduce exercise-induced muscle damage and inflammation, leading to faster recovery and improved performance in subsequent training sessions. By supporting tissue repair and reducing oxidative stress, coffee consumption can aid in post-exercise recovery and adaptation, allowing athletes to train more effectively and consistently over time.

Recommended Dosage:

While the health benefits of coffee are well-documented, it’s essential to consume it in moderation to avoid potential side effects such as insomnia, anxiety, and gastrointestinal discomfort. The optimal dosage of coffee varies depending on individual factors such as age, weight, tolerance to caffeine, and overall health status. Generally, moderate coffee consumption is considered to be 3 to 4 cups per day, providing approximately 300 to 400 milligrams of caffeine. It’s important to listen to your body and adjust your coffee intake accordingly to avoid adverse effects and maximize the potential health benefits.

Mechanisms of Action: 

The health benefits of coffee are attributed to its complex composition of bioactive compounds, including caffeine, chlorogenic acids, trigonelline, and cafestol. Caffeine, the most well-known component of coffee, acts as a central nervous system stimulant, blocking the effects of adenosine and increasing the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine. This leads to heightened alertness, improved mood, and enhanced cognitive function.

Chlorogenic acids, abundant in unroasted coffee beans, exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, protecting cells from oxidative damage and reducing inflammation in the body. Trigonelline, formed during the roasting process, has been shown to have antibacterial and anti-carcinogenic effects, contributing to overall health and disease prevention. Additionally, cafestol and kahweol, diterpenes found in coffee oil, may help support liver health, regulate cholesterol levels, and improve metabolic function.

Conclusion:

From its ancient origins in the highlands of Ethiopia to its modern-day ubiquity on cafe menus around the world, coffee has evolved into much more than just a morning pick-me-up—it’s a symbol of social connection, cultural tradition, and vibrant health. With its potent blend of antioxidants, caffeine, and bioactive compounds, coffee offers a multitude of benefits for mind, body, and spirit, supporting overall well-being and vitality. So go ahead, savor that steaming cup of joe, and toast to the countless wonders of this beloved beverage.

References and Resources

1. Improved Endurance:

• Graham TE. Caffeine and exercise: metabolism, endurance, and performance. Sports Medicine. 2001;31(11):785-807.
• Davis JM, Zhao Z, Stock HS, Mehl KA, Buggy J, Hand GA. Central nervous system effects of caffeine and adenosine on fatigue. American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology. 2003;284(2):R399-R404.

1. Enhanced Strength and Power:

• Del Coso J, Muñoz G, Muñoz-Guerra J. Prevalence of caffeine use in elite athletes following its removal from the World Anti-Doping Agency list of banned substances. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. 2011;36(4):555-561.
• Grgic J, Mikulic P, Schoenfeld BJ, et al. The influence of caffeine supplementation on resistance exercise: a review. Sports Medicine. 2019;49(1):17-30.

1. Faster Reaction Times:

• Ali A, O’Donnell JM, Starck C, Rutherfurd-Markwick K. The influence of caffeine ingestion on strength and power performance in female team-sport players. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 2016;19(12):1030-1034.
• Nehlig A. Are we dependent upon coffee and caffeine? A review on human and animal data. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. 1999;23(4):563-576.

1. Reduced Perceived Effort:

• Doherty M, Smith PM. Effects of caffeine ingestion on exercise testing: a meta-analysis. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. 2004;14(6):626-646.
• Doherty M, Smith PM, Hughes MG, Davison RR. Caffeine lowers perceptual response and increases power output during high-intensity cycling. Journal of Sports Sciences. 2004;22(7):637-643.

1. Improved Mental Resilience:

• McLellan TM, Caldwell JA, Lieberman HR. A review of caffeine’s effects on cognitive, physical and occupational performance. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. 2016;71:294-312.
• Hodgson AB, Randell RK, Jeukendrup AE. The metabolic and performance effects of caffeine compared to coffee during endurance exercise. PLoS One. 2013;8(4):e59561.

1. Increased Fat Oxidation:

• Venables MC, Hulston CJ, Cox HR, Jeukendrup AE. Green tea extract ingestion, fat oxidation, and glucose tolerance in healthy humans. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2008;87(3):778-784.
• Acheson KJ, Gremaud G, Meirim I, et al. Metabolic effects of caffeine in humans: lipid oxidation or futile cycling? The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2004;79(1):40-46.

1. Accelerated Recovery:

• Sureda A, Bibiloni MM, Julibert A, et al. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and inflammatory markers. Nutrients. 2018;10(1):62.
• Gao Y, Marugan JJ, Zhu H, Zheng W. A review of recent developments in small molecule therapeutics for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Medicinal Research Reviews. 2020;40(4):1517-1538.

1. History and Origins of Coffee:

• Weinberg BA, Bealer BK. The World of Caffeine: The Science and Culture of the World’s Most Popular Drug. Routledge; 2004.
• Pendergrast M. Uncommon Grounds: The History of Coffee and How It Transformed Our World. Basic Books; 2019.
• Dicum G, Luttinger N. The Coffee Book: Anatomy of an Industry from Crop to the Last Drop. The New Press; 1999.

1. Organic Coffee Growing Practices:

• IFOAM Organics International. Organic Coffee Production. Accessed on January 20, 2024. [https://www.ifoam.bio/sites/default/files/2020-09/IFOAM%20Guidelines%20for%20Organic%20Coffee.pdf]
• United States Department of Agriculture. National Organic Program. Accessed on January 20, 2024. [https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic]

1. Health Benefits of Coffee:

• Ding M, Bhupathiraju SN, Satija A, et al. Association of coffee consumption with total and cause-specific mortality in 3 large prospective cohorts. Circulation. 2015;132(24):2305-2315.
• Grosso G, Micek A, Castellano S, Pajak A, Galvano F. Coffee, tea, caffeine and risk of depression: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. 2016;60(1):223-234.
• Kim Y, Je Y, Giovannucci E, Colditz GA, Cho E. Association between coffee intake and total mortality in a general Mediterranean population: A cohort study. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2020;112(3):612-621.
• Malerba S, Turati F, Galeone C, et al. A meta-analysis of prospective studies of coffee consumption and mortality for all causes, cancers and cardiovascular diseases. European Journal of Epidemiology. 2013;28(7):527-539.
• Cornelis MC. The Impact of Caffeine and Coffee on Human Health. Nutrients. 2019;11(2):416.

1. Mechanisms of Action:

• Nehlig A. Effects of coffee/caffeine on brain health and disease: What should I tell my patients? Practical Neurology. 2016;16(2):89-95.
• Kolahdouzan M, Hamadeh MJ. The neuroprotective effects of caffeine in neurodegenerative diseases. CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics. 2017;23(4):272-290.
• Scalbert A, Manach C, Morand C, Rémésy C, Jiménez L. Dietary polyphenols and the prevention of diseases. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 2005;45(4):287-306.

1. Recommended Dosage:

• Nawrot P, Jordan S, Eastwood J, Rotstein J, Hugenholtz A, Feeley M. Effects of caffeine on human health. Food Additives & Contaminants. 2003;20(1):1-30.
• International Food Information Council Foundation. Caffeine and Health: Clarifying the Controversies. Accessed on January 20, 2024. [https://foodinsight.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/2015_Caffeine_and_Health_WEB.pdf]
• Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Military Nutrition Research. Caffeine for the Sustainment of Mental Task Performance: Formulations for Military Operations. National Academies Press (US); 2001.