by Ruthie Hawkins, BlackDoctor.org Contributor
I’m a caffeine fiend! In fact, Starbucks is my life source. If I could set myself up in a loft apartment above a coffee shop, that would be my ideal living situation. Hit me with your best (espresso) shot and I instantly develop a Pinky and the Brain complex – ready to take over the world!
The downside? That daily cup (or 2, 3…) of coffee may be drying out my skin, as it inhibits collagen production in the skin — making it more prone to unsightly wrinkles. Sadly, too much caffeine is also directly linked to clogged pores and acne.
Meanwhile, a study conducted by Dr. Lucio Mos found that young adults with pre-existing conditions like mild hypertension had four times the risk of having a heart attack or developing prediabetes, if they consumed the amount of caffeine equivalent to four cups of coffee.
“Drinking coffee increases the risk of prediabetes in young adults with hypertension who are slow caffeine metabolizers,” says Dr Mos. “Slow caffeine metabolizers have longer exposure to the detrimental effects of caffeine on glucose metabolism. The risk is even greater if they are overweight or obese, and if they are heavy coffee drinkers. Thus, the effect of coffee on prediabetes depends on the amount of daily coffee intake and genetic background.”
On the bright side, Women’s Health Magazine argues that caffeine has its benefits, too. Many caffeine-laden drinks, like your favorite iced coffee drink, black and green tea, are loaded with antioxidants to help defend skin from damage, particularly from the sun.
In addition, a growing body of research shows that coffee drinkers, compared to nondrinkers, are:
- less likely to have type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia
- have fewer cases of certain cancers, heart rhythm problems, and strokes
“There is certainly much more good news than bad news in coffee and health,” Frank Hu, MD, MPH, PhD, nutrition and epidemiology professor at the Harvard School of Public Health tells WebMD.
The takeaway? While your molten mocha latte may taste scrumptious and get you going in the morning, it can positively and negatively affect your health. Like with anything, the key to avoiding negative side effects is balance. To avoid caffeine-related health risks, be sure to drink plenty of water, which will counteract the dehydrating effects of caffeinated drinks on the body.
