I’m beginning a serious detox right after Christmas, so I figure I might as well enjoy my gourmet coffees for the next couple of weeks. Starbucks gourmet coffee, that is. In fact, I have a gold card I’m such a fanatic. But I’m not going to kid myself about coffee and its health benefits (ha!)
In October of this year a study announced that drinking coffee on a regular basis might actually reduce the chances of heart disease. As a Starbucks fanatic, nutrition facts for coffee are always of keen interest. Anything to justify my daily latte, don’cha know.
A 2002 study by Harvard nurses claimed that women who regularly drink at least four cups of caffeinated coffee each day had a lower risk of gallstones. Personally, I find such studies as these pretty ridiculous. Yes, there may actually be a lower risk in the gallstone department – but isn’t it quite likely that there are many other results from drinking a quart of a highly acidic beverage every day.
The study announced this month was sponsored by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), and along with the nurses health study, involved 125,000 participants since the 1980s.
Their conclusion? That regular coffee consumption did not increase the risk of all-cause mortality (a.k.a. dying of anything) for either gender, and in the case of women, it actually provided a protective effect. This was mainly because of the reduced chance of heart disease.
Coffee drinkers who consume large amounts are more likely to have some unfortunate health habits and so this group IS more likely to die, but apparently coffee is not the culprit.
The nutrition facts about coffee are, of course, that there isn’t much nutrition at all. Coffee has virtually no calories but it certainly doesn’t offer any benefits to the human body, either. The problem is all the stuff we put in that cup of coffee. My latte, for instance, includes soy milk and syrup, with just a relative dab of coffee. The truth is that I don’t much like coffee and would never drink just a plain old cup of coffee. Yick. I’m not going to kid myself that there is any nutritional value or that coffee is a positive health habit. It isn’t.
But when I start my detox program in a few weeks am I going to give up my gourmet coffees? Actually, yes I am. But I’m not going to give up Starbucks, though – I’ll just drink plain tea and add some stevia. Starbucks, after all, isn’t just about the beverage. It’s something nice that I do for myself and Ii have no plans to give it up.
Chris says
I won’t be giving up my Starbucks either. I’ve quit eating fast food, soda and all sorts of other naughty treats. Coffee, fancy coffee, is my only indulgence left and I’m stickin to it. Besides who can resist all those holiday flavors they have during this time of year.
SuzyQ says
There seems to be a new study about the adverse or positive effects of coffee every year or so and they’re usually contradictory to each other! So I just enjoy my coffee as my main vice and don’t pay much attention to whether its good or bad for me. BUT … I did read a report which says drinking coffee can help prevent pancreatic cancer (which my dad died from). So that’s as good a reason as any to keep drinking it. By the way, you mentioned stevia …. wasn’t there a report about stevia that said it wasn’t that good for you??
Vikrant says
Well i heared a lot of negative things about drinking coffee and i always use to think sooner or later i positive article will come . After reading this is i can say there are slight positives of coffee also .So this obsession of mine wont be a problem . Thanks
Ginger says
Hey, I dig you there – I love Starbucks. I’m currently into decaf soy lattes. Soy is so much better for you than cow’s milk! You must watch how much dairy you ingest because it can make you fat! Loved reading your article!
Scott says
I love this: “The truth is that I don’t much like coffee and would never drink just a plain old cup of coffee. Yick.” That is so me! Good luck on kicking your habit during your detox. I love Starbucks, but I’m a chai drinker!
Stephen M says
I drink coffee everyday!
I Love it!
That is very good that you are giving it up for health reasons.
I’ll have to remind my mother about the gallstone study.
healingthruprayer says
I keep drinking my 1 cup a day. All the “studies” drive me crazy -the yes it is good for you and no it is bad for you, just changes too much w/coffee. Yum..french vanilla latte w/whipped cream and chocholate sprinkles on top!
Mary Haswell says
I’m a coffee addict from way back. I don’t think I could give it up so easy no matter the consequences.