Coffee and Caffeine, Are There Health Risks?

Coffee and Health

Research shows coffee is the most popular food consumed at breakfast in the United States. With millions of us jump-starting our day with coffee, are there any health risks to drinking caffeinated beverages?

While many studies have explored connections between caffeine and health issues like cancer, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, no evidence has been found to link moderate caffeine intake to these or other health risks. Caffeine does act as a diuretic, but the water in a cup of coffee tends to balance out the diuretic effects.

Caffeine acts as a mild stimulant to the central nervous system and both regular and decaf coffee can irritate the stomach. Caffeine can also act as an analgesic and may help protect against gallstones, cavities, type 2 diabetes and Parkinson's disease, but more research is needed before caffeine can be proclaimed a "disease preventer."

How much coffee is too much?

Your caffeine sensitivity depends on the amount you drink, the frequency, your weight, physical condition and other factors. For most healthy adults, 200 to 300 milligrams of caffeine per day, about two to three cups of coffee, pose no physical problems.