PRESCRIPTIONS
Coffee a health drink? Better take a closer look
By Laurie Steelsmith
Q. Recently I've been surprised to hear that drinking coffee may actually be good for me. Could this possibly be true?
A. You've probably seen the recent news report claiming that coffee can decrease your risk of heart disease and other conditions. But before concluding that coffee is a health elixir, it would be wise to take a broader look at the facts. While some reports may suggest that coffee has health benefits, many studies show just the opposite. Let's look at a few of the pros and cons of drinking coffee, and see how they stack up.
PROS:
CONS:
As you can see, drinking coffee may not be particularly good for your health, despite recent claims to the contrary. As we continue to study the effects of this ubiquitous drink on health, play it safe and keep your coffee intake to a minimum.
Dr. Laurie Steelsmith is a naturopathic physician and licensed acupuncturist in Honolulu, and author of "Natural Choices for Women's Health." Reach her and read her past columns at www.drsteelsmith.com. This column is for information only. Consult your health provider for medical advice.
