Ahhhhh, coffee…. for those who love it, there are few ways to start the day which are more wonderful. And coffee sure has come a long way in the past few decades—fancy gourmet coffees are the norm, now that Starbucks are ubiquitous. But should we feel bad about our love for coffee? Most things we love this much are bad for us, aren’t they?

One of the first things I ask a new client is how much water they drink in a day, and what other beverages they tend to drink. Most clients get a little sheepish when they tell me about their coffee consumption and wonder if I am going to suggest they eliminate it. (In most cases, I don’t.)

Generally speaking, I recommend choosing organic coffee, drinking it in moderation, and making sure water consumption increases to take into account the dehydrating effects of coffee. There are studies out there which say coffee is a healthy indulgence which may have positive effects on type 2 diabetes, liver cancer, gallstones, prostate cancer, Parkinson’s disease, cognitive function, endurance, and even migraines.

While I will not generally suggest someone begin drinking coffee if they don’t already, I do say that if you love it, you should enjoy it in moderation so long as your own specific health conditions aren’t exacerbated by it (such as in cases of heart issues). Read more about the health benefits of coffee in Today’s Dietitian’s article “Coffee Buzz — Trends and Possible Perks of America’s Beloved Beverage” here:
http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/050409p26.shtml