Is coffee the new health drink?

When you think of health drinks, coffee may not be the first to spring to mind, but is coffee the new health drink? Many people order a caramel mocha with extra whipped cream daily and then blame coffee for making them overweight, while others drink in excess of five cups a day and wonder why they’re jittery and unable to concentrate. Such confusion has led to coffee receiving a lot of bad press over the last few years, but with an increasing amount of studies disproving such negativity, we’re ready to fall back in love with the strong stuff.

‘There’s a growing amount of research backing up the benefits of coffee, and as long as you enjoy good quality caffeine, your morning Americano habit may not be so bad after all,’ says registered nutritionist Louise Pyne. ‘Like anything however, it should not be consumed in excess and one or two cups of coffee a day should be the limit,’ continues Louise. ‘Going overboard on the double espressos can affect mineral absorption, affect digestion and leave you feeling jittery and less able to concentrate.’ So what are the benefits? Coffee won’t just up your energy, it actually boasts a whole slew of health properties that could well mean it’s the new health drink about town…

It can boost performance in gym

Forget your protein powders, your shakes and your supplements. Before a workout, one of the most effective pre-workout drinks may well just be a good old cup of coffee. ‘You might consider sipping a cup of coffee before heading to the gym, as studies have found that drinking coffee before working out can help to increase endurance and delay fatigue onset,’ explains Louise. ‘A cup of the caffeinated stuff may also help you to push yourself that little bit harder by reducing muscle pain and may help with long-term muscle mass preservation, which naturally declines with age.’

Team WHL are certainly all ears if it means we get to drink a little more of our favourite drink. And it’s not just Louise who can see the benefits. ‘While I don’t recommend drinking coffee every day, there’s no doubt it can give you an energy boost when you need improved concentration and mental or physical performance,’ agrees nutritionist Laura Wilson. ‘It stimulates your nervous system and adrenaline – your ‘fight or flight’ response and this can have its advantages when you’re doing a physical workout or playing sports.’ A recent study by the University of Georgia published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism found that your morning coffee could help improve athletic endurance. During nine trials, participants either cycled or ran after drinking coffee. They then exercised vigorously before the results were measured. In a majority of cases, endurance was noticeably improved after the use of coffee. So what are you waiting for? Down some of the good stuff and go beat that PB!

It boasts amazing antioxidant benefits

The breakthrough realisation that coffee contains an amazing level of antioxidants was a major reason for its revival, seeing it go from dietary foe to friend. A number of studies have proven coffee is chock-full of antioxidants and even spent coffee grounds are receiving positive attention for this very reason. ‘Coffee is thought to be a potent disease-fighter thanks to the polyphenol antioxidants it contains, which may help to prevent diabetes type 2, heart disease and even certain cancers,’ says Louise. So what’s actually in it? ‘Coffee contains several nutrients, including Riboflavin, Pantothenic Acid, Manganese, Potassium, Magnesium and Niacin, as well as antioxidants,’ explains Laura. ‘It’s a shame to say that while fruits and vegetables are the optimum source of antioxidants, coffee is often the main source for many people on the standard Western diet, so for this reason it can be beneficial.’ Furthermore, a study reported in the American Heart Association journal Circulation stated that people who regularly drank moderate amounts of coffee daily – less than five cups per day – experienced a lower risk of deaths from cardiovascular disease, neurological diseases and Type 2 diabetes. With both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee tested in the study, it suggested that it wasn’t just the caffeine providing health perks but possibly the naturally occurring chemical compounds in the coffee beans. ‘It’s thought that darker roasts, like those used for making espresso, contain a more concentrated level of antioxidants than lighter roasts,’ continues Louise.

And what’s the verdict on bulletproof coffee?

Firstly, if you haven’t heard of bulletproof coffee, where have you been? An extremely popular trend in health and fitness circles, it’s safe to say the drink has received mixed reviews. For some, it’s been hailed a wonder drink that hugely affects cognitive function and aids weight loss, while others label it an unhealthy fad. Our view? ‘Bulletproof coffee is not a miracle weight loss fix, although the beverage can safely be incorporated into a healthy, balanced diet,’ explains Louise. ‘All the ingredients in the coffee (a blend of coffee beans, omega-rich oil and grass-fed butter or coconut oil) are packed with nutrients and good fats, but there is no evidence that the brew would work as a long-term weight loss aid.’ However, not all nutritionists agree. ‘Bulletproof coffee might be a new health trend but the facts about it do not stack up in making it a health food choice,’ states Laura. ‘Caffeine is a known neurotoxin to be taken moderately and butter – grass fed or otherwise – is full of animal saturated fat and linked with the three biggest western diseases – cancer, heart disease and diabetes. So I would place it in the ‘faddy trend’ category and not recommend it as a daily beverage choice.’

The verdict? Coffee-worshippers, rejoice! When drunk in moderation and as part of a healthy diet, coffee has been proven to have a number of health benefits that will not only aid energy levels and concentration but gym performance and general health. We’ll go get a cuppa then…