Coffee: A Cup (or Two) for Whole Health?

By Conor Michael, BA

In advance of National Coffee Day (this past Tuesday, October 1st)  Newsweek published a piece detailing the latest round of research identifying the potential myriad benefits of moderate coffee consumption for greater whole health. Revered the world over for its energy and attention boosting powers, coffee is more than just a delicious pick me up. As Newsweek senior science reporter Pandora Dewan writes, “In a new study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, scientists from Soochow University in China found that moderate coffee and caffeine consumption—that is, around three cups of coffee a day—was associated with a 48.1 percent lower risk of having two or more cardiometabolic diseases, compared to those who drank less than one cup a day.”

Drawing on longitudinal data from approximately 350,000 participants (between ages 37 – 73), the Chinese researchers’ findings build on prior studies which have shown a positive correlation between moderate caffeine consumption and levels of overall health. When utilized as part of a healthy lifestyle mindful consumption of coffee, tea, or another caffeinated beverage can play a key role in promoting balance between the 5 Aspects of a person’s whole health, identified by the pioneering research of the National Institute of Whole Health’s model of Whole Health Education®. The aspects consist of the physical, emotional, nutritional, environmental, and spiritual/worldview.

While the stimulating effect of coffee’s caffeine content on the central nervous system is arguably its most well known and desired effect for many, prior studies have identified a broad array of impacts on a person’s health. According to Johns Hopkins University, increased energy and attention is only just scratching the surface of coffee’s potential benefits. These include greater longevity; reduced chance of coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease; improved processing of glucose; an increase in healthy liver enzymes, and greatly reduced risk of Parkinson’s disease and colon cancer. An important caveat, however, is to take your daily cups of Joe black or with minimal creamer. As Dewan notes in Newsweek, “if you add loads of sugar and cream you’re probably going to counteract these beneficial effects.”

So help yourself to another cup – or two – or three – and give your whole health a boost!