Coffee does contain nutrients. It is rich in antioxidant such as polyphenols, catechins, and flavonoids. Still, the caffeine in coffee is a stimulant and that is not without consequences.
Like many foods and drinks, coffee hasn’t been studied in great depth. Most of the data is from observational studies so it doesn’t allow researchers to draw solid conclusions.
Some of the health benefits from regularly drinking coffee are diminished or even eliminated if non-dairy creamers and/or sugar are added. Non-dairy creamers are still a source of trans fats. These products may also decrease the antioxidants in coffee.
Caffeine blocks adenosine, a calming brain chemical. That’s also why it can cause insomnia, especially if it is consumed after noon. Women who are postmenopausal and people who are cutting back or stopping smoking eliminate caffeine more slowly. Coffee also increases the stress hormones cortisol and epinephrine.
This stimulant effect of coffee can cause anxiety, panic attacks, nervousness, irritability, and insomnia. All these are more common when drinking more than 3 or 4 cups a day. Those with an anxiety disorder can develop such problems if they drink more than a cup a day.
Coffee doesn’t cause coronary artery disease, but the stimulating effects of the caffeine can add to the workload of the heart. Angina and heart attacks are more common, especially when drinking more than a couple cups a day. It increases the risk of arrhythmias as well.
It probably doesn’t help prevent diabetes, but does aid in weight loss. Also, it often has a laxative effect, and helps prevent cirrhosis from developing in those with liver disease. There is no reliable evidence that coffee increases the risks of cancer, or that it prevents it. Still, its polyphenols probably do inhibit cancer.
Iron and alendronate (a drug for osteoporosis) absorption are decreased with coffee consumption. It also interacts with some antidepressants, ciprofloxacin, clozapine, lithium, or tizanidine. This is more likely if the individual drinks more than 1 to 2 cups a day.
Coffee is more likely to be beneficial if limited to 1 to 2 cups a day. It does increase alertness and concentration. In a hurry up world, this will keep it on the menu for a long time. Here is a useful You Tube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmflDZ30ipc
References:
Alperet, D., et al. “The effect of coffee consumption on insulin sensitivity and other biological risk factors for type 2 diabetes: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2020/ 111:448.
Bordeaux, Dr. B., and Lieberman, H. “Benefits and risks of caffeine and caffeinated beverages.” Up to Date, June 22, 2022.
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