Coffee Myths

New studies suggest it isn8217;t addictive nor does it kill sleep. Don8217;t give this brew a bad name.

It8217;s the taste that gets you started out, but is your body paying a price for the cups of coffee you guzzle in the morning? Not quite. A recent study by the Coffee Board of India and other research say that coffee could be less of a health risk than it is made out to be.

Myth: Coffee is addictive

Reality: Studies by the WHO have found no evidence proving that caffeine use could be even remotely compared to the physical or social consequences associated with drug abuse. 8220;Coffee is a known stimulant. It keeps us alert but in no way can this be confused with being addictive,8221; says Sakshi Chawla, senior dietician, Fortis, Noida.

Myth: Coffee dehydrates you

Reality: The caffeine in coffee is a mild diuretic, that is, it can increase the volume of urine your body excretes. However, moderate consumption of coffee does not lead to dehydration. 8220;Drinking up to three cups of coffee is not harmful and it does not lead to dehydration. It has the same effect as drinking a glass of plain water,8221; says Chawla.

Myth: Coffee kills sleep

Reality: Coffee makes one more alert, but drinking it in moderation does not affect sleep patterns. 8220;Many people blame coffee for sleeplessness. The reality is that you need to drink 10 cups of coffee to stay up all night. Anything less than that does not inhibit sleep,8221; says Chawla.

Myth: Coffee causes cancer

Reality: There is no evidence to support that claim. A study by the World Cancer Research has said that regular consumption of coffee has no significant relationship with cancer risk. 8220;Coffee has anti-oxidant properties and contrary to popular belief, drinking it in moderation prevents cancer,8221; says Chawla.

Myth: Drinking coffee leads to higher cholesterol levels

Reality: Coffee-drinkers don8217;t have a higher cholesterol level compared to people who don8217;t drink the brew. Only boiled coffee pushes up cholesterol levels.

Myth: Coffee causes palpitation

Reality: Research shows that you may experience irregular heartbeat irrespective of whether you drink coffee or not.

Myth: Coffee affects human reproduction

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Reality: Drinking moderate amounts of coffee does not have any adverse effects on human reproduction, including fertility, pregnancy, foetal or neonatal development, studies have shown.

Myth 8: Coffee is bad for the stomach

Reality: There is no conclusive evidence to show that coffee inflames ulcers. 8220;Coffee doesn8217;t cause ulcers, nor is it bad for people with ulcers,8221; says Chawla.

Myth 9: Lactating mothers should not drink coffee

Reality: Even though caffeine can be found in breast milk, it is present in very small quantities. Drinking coffee in moderation does not put their infants at risk.

Myth 10: Coffee is a risk factor for osteoporosis

Reality: A few studies have suggested that caffeine intake increases the amount of calcium lost in urine. However, the loss was found too minimal to affect bone density. Recent studies have confirmed that caffeine intake is not a risk factor for osteoporosis, especially in women.