In this space, we recently posited whether any amount of alcohol use promotes health. The current thinking says no. But what about caffeinated beverages? Coffee alone is so popular that up to 40% of the world’s population consumes it daily, providing about 3.2 billion of us with a cup of delight to start (or finish) the day (1). This number pales when we add caffeinated tea, and currently 90% of us drink one or the other daily. For the mathematically inclined, that is about 5 million servings of caffeine every minute of every day.
From the Math to the Magic
The magic behind this delicious elixir is caffeine, the naturally occurring chemical that serves to stimulate the heart, nervous system, muscular activity and oftentimes, good conversation. Like alcohol, caffeine use begs the question of how much is too much? For adults, it is estimated that up to 400 milligrams (mg) is a safe limit. But what does this mean for coffee lovers in the real world? This amount could equate to 2-4 regular brewed cups or just one 16 ounce cup of Starbucks’ Blonde roast drip coffee – this particular blend packing a heavyweight 360 mg caffeine punch (2).
Caffeine metabolism may be the key in understanding its’ effect. The caffeine kick begins with rapid absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, processed by the liver, stimulating central and peripheral nervous systems responses. In simpler terms, this helps us get going in the morning and adds a spring to our step.
Health, Healing and Happiness
The discovery of coffee remains a mystery, some believing an Ethiopian goat herder named Kaldi observed his flock particularly energetic, even unable to sleep after ingesting the berries of a certain tree. Made into a drink, these berries were known to promote alertness, wakefulness and even longevity (3).
More recent scientific studies aim to answer the age-old question, “but is it good for me?”. The answer is that it might be. Emerging data states caffeine can help treat everything from simple headaches, to promoting insulin sensitivity, an important function in maintaining normal blood sugar levels (4). Unlike alcohol, a well-known liver toxin, in one meta-analysis comparing non-drinkers and coffee drinkers, caffeine aficionados were less likely to develop cirrhosis (5).
From an underwriting perspective, the ultimate caffeine benefit is reduction of all-cause mortality, at least for those consuming no more than four cups daily (6). Caffeine may benefit certain cancers, nervous disorders and may even have a small protective effect against Alzheimer’s Disease. It is early but worth keeping an eye on this.
The Less is More Lesson
Moderation may really be the secret to enjoying a cup or two of your favourite brew. As we are learning more about how caffeine can promote health, caffeine has emerged as a powerful stimulant and even a little excess can result in palpitations, tremors and agitation. Very high doses can result in cardiac arrhythmias, neurological seizures and death. Much like the worst cases of alcohol excess can result in acute alcohol poisoning, acute caffeine poisoning is indeed possible and is a serious medical emergency.
So go ahead and enjoy your coffee in moderation, the way you like it! If you’re really adventurous, you might try an affogato, hot espresso that serves to drown a scoop of gelato. While the health benefits of this particular blend are debatable, the taste and flavor will definitely leave you wanting a second cup.
- Coffee Ranks. World Coffee Consumption Statistics. Coffee Ranks. October 30, 2022.
- Caffeine Informer. Caffeine Calculator. N.A.
- National Coffee Association. The History of Coffee. NCAUSA.org. N.A.
- Feskens, Edith J M and Van Dam, Rob M. Coffee Consumption and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. PubMed. November 9, 2002.
- Chen, Ling et al. Coffee Consumption Decreases Risk for Hepatic Fibrosis and Cirrhosis: A Meta-Analysis. PubMed. November 10, 2015.
- Blair, Steven N et al. Association of Coffee Consumption with All-Cause and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality. PubMed. August 15, 2013.
This article is provided by Know the Risk, an educational website that contains underwriting information for insurance professionals, available exclusively to Advisors affiliated with PPI (login required).
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A Second Cup or More? The Caffeine Question