CHRONIC. It would disturb sleep and heart rhythm. But coffee also has its virtues. And if it was not so bad for your health.
By Boris Hansel, with Guillaume Paret (video)
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Every Friday, find, on Le Point.fr, the nutrition chronicle of Pr Boris Hansel, endocrinologist and nutritionist at Bichat Hospital in Paris. He is also the host of the health channel PuMS on YouTube.
We hear that coffee can be dangerous for the heart and make you nervous. We will see this together with some practical advice! Coffee is known to everyone for its effect on alertness. This effect is linked to the presence of caffeine. About 100mg in an espresso and 5mg in a decaf.
The effects of this drink on the body are not only due to caffeine but also to many other chemical substances. We count a good hundred. In particular polyphenols, known for their antioxidant effects, a little magnesium, potassium and vitamin B3. These molecules have generally favorable biological effects, in particular on oxidative stress and the intestinal flora.
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Things get complicated when we distinguish between the different kinds of coffee and the preparation of the hot drink. Filtered, in the form of an espresso or soluble, the content of its various constituents varies, with various effects.
Cholesterol, Parkinson’s and diabetes…
For example, cafestol is a molecule that increases blood cholesterol… But, if it is found in espressos and Turkish coffee, there are practically no traces in filter coffee and soluble.
But, overall, drinking coffee regularly appears to be beneficial for different organs and protects against certain diseases. In the liver, it seems to protect against cirrhosis and even certain cancers. Neurologically, its benefits against Parkinson’s disease are described. The risk of developing diabetes also appears to be lower among coffee drinkers.
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We sometimes hear that it causes heart rhythm disorders, it is far from being confirmed. And, on blood pressure, the impact of regular consumption is weak, even absent. Drinking three to five cups a day is even associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular pathologies such as heart attack and stroke.
In practice, drinking two to five cups a day is a habit entirely compatible with good health! The main reservation concerns the impact it can have on sleep in some people. If you are in this case, the last cup of coffee should be drunk at least 9 hours before going to bed. And you can opt for decaf. It contains little caffeine and its health benefits seem similar to those of regular coffee.
Obviously, if, in your home, coffee causes bothersome symptoms, or if, in your particular case, you have questions, talk to your doctor, he will help you find the dose of coffee that is right for you!