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Moderate coffee drinking is safe, and three to four cups a day may have some health benefits, according to a large review of studies, in the BMJ.<\/p>\n
It found a lower risk of liver disease and some cancers in coffee drinkers, and a lower risk of dying from stroke – but researchers could not prove coffee was the cause.<\/p>\n
Too much coffee during pregnancy could be harmful, the review confirmed.<\/p>\n
Experts said people should not start drinking coffee for health reasons.<\/p>\n
The University of Southampton researchers collected data on the impact of coffee on all aspects of the human body, taking into account more than 200 studies – most of which were observational.<\/p>\n
Compared with non-coffee drinkers, those who drank about three cups of coffee a day appeared to reduce their risk of getting heart problems or dying from them.<\/p>\n
The strongest benefits of coffee consumption were seen in reduced risks of liver disease, including cancer.<\/p>\n
But Prof Paul Roderick, co-author of the study<\/a>, from the faculty of medicine at University of Southampton, said the review could not say if coffee intake had made the difference.<\/p>\n “Factors such as age, whether people smoked or not and how much exercise they took could all have had an effect,” he said.<\/p>\n The findings back up other recent reviews and studies of coffee drinking so, overall, his message on coffee was reassuring.<\/p>\n “There is a balance of risks in life, and the benefits of moderate consumption of coffee seem to outweigh the risks,” he said.<\/p>\n The NHS recommends pregnant women have no more than 200mg of caffeine a day – two mugs of instant coffee – because too much can increase the risk of miscarriage.<\/p>\n This review suggests women at risk of fractures should also cut back on coffee.<\/p>\n For other adults, moderate caffeine intake equates to 400mg or less per day – or three to four cups of coffee – but that isn’t the only drink (or food) to bear in mind.<\/p>\n The researchers say coffee drinkers should stick to “healthy coffees” – which avoid extra sugar, milk or cream, or a fatty snack on the side.<\/p>\n And they are calling for rigorous clinical trials on coffee intake to find out more about the potential benefits to health.<\/p>\n At present, the researchers said pinning down exactly how coffee might have a positive impact on health was “difficult” but it could be down to the effects of anti-oxidants and anti-fibrotics, which prevent or slow damage to cells in the body.<\/p>\nHow much caffeine in my drink?<\/h2>\n
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