Debunking Coffee Myths

Coffee actually provides benefits to skin health and appearance. In a study from Jama Dermatology, people who drank 4 cups of coffee daily were less likely to develop rosacea than participants that did not drink coffee.

Additionally, caffeinated coffee has proven to have preventative effects again malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer.

2. Myth – Coffee is bad for your gut health.

Wrong! In fact, coffee consumption can stimulate a motor response in the colon which increases the urge to defecate.

Aside from increasing bowel movements and digestion, coffee also contains phytochemicals that promote growth of good bacteria in the gut which, in turn, limits growth of bad bacteria.

3. Myth – Coffee causes Type 2 Diabetes.

Quite the opposite! Coffee can lower the risk for Type 2 Diabetes. How? Well, coffee preserves beta cells functioning in the pancreas to produce insulin, the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels.

However, it is important to note that caffeine can raise blood sugar and insulin levels in people that have type 2 diabetes, suggesting that caffeine consumption should be monitored for those that have the disease.

4. Myth – Coffee increases the risk for neurodegenerative disorders.

Consuming caffeine every day, much like the caffeine you consume in your coffee every day, actually lowers the risk for Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. How exactly? Well, phenylindanes that are present in coffee beans, inhibit the toxic proteins that buildup in the brain and cause Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

5. Myth – Coffee causes weight gain.

Coffee, when not mixed with heavy creams and sugars, can actually be used as a weight loss tool. Coffee can suppress appetite and make you feel full after consumption. In fact, one study showed that people who drank coffee between 30 minutes and 4 hours ahead of a meal actually consumed less food at that meal.