In the song “9 to 5,” from the 1980 movie of the same name, singer Dolly Parton refers to coffee as a “cup of ambition.” Now, emerging research indicates that coffee’s potential benefits extend far beyond increasing motivation; according to one study, coffee may even help prevent suicide.
Coffee Consumption Cuts Risk of Suicide Almost in Half
Although the results may sound like a coffee advertising executive’s dream come true, the research on coffee and suicide was conducted by professors of epidemiology and nutrition at the highly credible Harvard School of Public Health, and published in July 2013 in The World Journal of Biological Psychiatry.The study, which took over two decades to complete and involved nearly a quarter of a million participants, showed that people who drank two to three cups of coffee a day are at much lower risk of killing themselves than drinkers of decaffeinated coffee and non-coffee drinkers. In fact, daily, moderate coffee consumption slashed suicide rates by almost 50 percent – a truly astounding figure. One can’t help but think that if a pharmaceutical antidepressant achieved this type of dramatic benefit, manufacturers would be shouting it from the rooftops.
Warning: Ingesting Excessive Caffeine Can Still Be Problematic
The researchers stopped short of advising that people suffering from depression increase their coffee intake. Noting that most people naturally adjust their caffeine levels to an amount that is optimal for them, the team added that drinking more than three cups of coffee a day – or ingesting over 400 milligrams of caffeine – carries no additional benefit, and can cause unpleasant side effects.According to Just-Released Research, Caffeine in Coffee Can Actually Help to Prevent Parkinson’s Disease
According to a Swedish study published in July 2014 in the scientific journal PLoS One, coffee – along with the presence of a certain genetic mutation – can help prevent Parkinson’s disease.Organic Coffee Has More to Offer Than Just Its Caffeine Content
Coffee has extremely high levels of potent antioxidants, including trigonelline, catechol, and N-methylpyrinidium. In fact, researchers say that an ordinary cup of coffee contains 1,000 different compounds. Further study is needed to explore the full effects of these beneficial substances.Coffee may not be appropriate for everyone
According to Mayo Clinic, up to 400 milligrams of caffeine, a day is safe for most healthy adults. However, children should not ingest caffeine at all, and teens should not consume more than 100 milligrams a day.Caffeine, which is classified as a stimulant, can cause adverse effects in some individuals, including anxiety, insomnia, irritability, stomach upset, and muscle tremors. Taking certain medications or herbs along with coffee can intensify the effects of caffeine. And, of course, people with anxiety disorders should avoid caffeinated coffee.
If you are in doubt about safe caffeine consumption, talk to a trusted integrative physician. Finally, again, for maximum health benefit – look for fair trade, organic coffee that is free of pesticides and chemicals.
Then, enjoy your cup of “joe.” From what the latest research tells us, a cup of fresh-brewed, flavorful organic coffee really is good to the last drop.