What's the Deal with Coffee?

Is it good for you? Is it bad for you?

The health claims for coffee include: lowers gout risk, anti-cancer properties, diabetes prevention, protection against Parkinson's disease (for men), reduced risk of Alzheimer's and dementia. Some of these positive effects don't seem related to its caffeine content, rather to its high antioxidant content (dark berries would be a better choice). There needs to be more research regarding these claims and whether coffee consumption is more beneficial than perhaps...a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables -- because aren't there better antioxidant options out there?

One positive thing about coffee is that it is a cholagogue, which means it promotes the flow of bile. This is helpful for gall bladder disease (gallstones), as well as liver disease (cancer, cirrhosis). In addition, it may be helpful for those who tend to be constipated, as it acts as a stimulant, increasing peristalsis (contractions in the digestive tract). As a stimulant, it is also a short-term aid with concentration and alertness. Quick-fix.

But its stimulant effect is also why coffee is more harm than good. Wikipedia defines caffeine as a "psychoactive stimulant drug". Seriously. This stimulant drug triggers your pituitary gland to secrete ACTH which signals your adrenal glands to produce adrenalin (epinephrine). Adrenalin is the "flight-or-fight" hormone, which is great if we are being chased by a bear, but when is that the case? And what are the consequences of constant stress hormones production? A path towards adrenal exhaustion:

• fatigue
• non-refreshing sleep
• feeling overwhelmed
• low stamina
• slow to recover from injury or illness
• brain fog
• poor digestion
• poor immune function
• food or environmental allergies
• PMS
• low blood pressure
• difficulty handling stress
• decreased sex drive
• need for naps

Any of that sound familiar?

I often see patients who suffer from adrenal exhaustion simply from the extreme stresses in their life (work, family, etc). Coffee accelerates this and just adds fuel to the fire -- quickening the pace towards exhaustion. From the Chinese Medicine perspective, I relate this to Kidney deficiency. Interestingly, the adrenal glands sit on top of each kidney, and Kidney deficiency signs/symptoms include: fatigue, soreness of back and knees, frequent urination, nocturia. If yin or yang is affected, there could also be: dizziness, impotence, decreased sex drive, central obesity (think cortisol obesity), insomnia. And of course, Kidney deficiency affects the Qi of the entire body manifesting as low immunity, poor digestion, lassitude, depression.

In addition, coffee is associated with: cancers (roasting produces 19 known rodent carcinogenic compounds), a digestive irritant, causing anxiety, increases in LDL cholesterol, increase in stillbirths, iron-deficiency anemia, and coronary artery disease.

I'm not on a anti-coffee crusade. Personally I don't drink it, but if someone is using it as a "pick-me-up" and has any of the adrenal exhaustion complaints, then I would encourage one to quit. It's a "psychoactive stimulant drug" and can be compared to sugar as a quick energy boost. But the long-term consequences make it not worth it (for me, at least). Like sugar, use coffee as a treat -- on weekends or special occasions.

(Now I can't talk about coffee and not mention the importance of choosing organic coffee. Coffee is the heaviest chemically treated food commodity in the world! Synthetic petroleum based fertilizers are used, which seep into our soil. And because coffee normally grows in the shade, man has created sun-resistant coffee tree-hybrids, resulting in mass deforestation. If you choose to purchase coffee, at least buy shade-grown, fair-trade, organic coffee.)