But moderate consumption (1–3 cups a day) has been linked to a small decrease in risk. If you liked this story, sign up for the weekly bbc.com features newsletter, called “The Essential List”. Disclaimer: These women also avoid coffee – it’s the kind of thing that bothers you if you’re already feeling sick – so a lot of women who are nauseous and aren’t consuming coffee are less likely to miscarry.”. Not only that, but more research has found that coffee may actually have a protective effect. If it’s drunk very hot, coffee can be carcinogenic (Credit: Paul Taylor/Getty Images). By hogging adenosine's receptors, caffeine sets off a chain of events that affects the activity of dopamine, another important brain chemical, and the areas of the brain involved in arousal, pleasure, and thinking. What can we help you find? In 2011, researchers reported findings that coffee drinking is associated with a lower risk of depression among women, a lower risk of lethal prostate cancer among men, and a lower risk of stroke among men and women. You can still get some of the potential health benefits by drinking one cup of coffee a day, or even by drinking decaffeinated coffee.” Also, remember that what you add to your coffee can make a difference in how healthy … The way you brew your coffee – whether lovingly crafting it from bean to cup or throwing some instant powder into a mug – doesn’t seem to change the association with better health. If you choose to take a multivitamin "for insurance," don't go overboard. So, if you’re sensitive to caffeine, a few cups of decaf may be just as good as the regular stuff. Coffee drinking increases some factors (homocysteine) associated with higher risk. In 2011, researchers reported findings that coffee drinking is associated with a lower risk of depression among women, a lower risk of lethal prostate … If you subscribe to any of our print newsletters and have never activated your online account, please activate your account below for online access. However, the Food Standard Agency advises pregnant and breastfeeding women not to have more than one to two cups of coffee per day. Coffee has been associated with an increased risk of cancer because it contains acrylamide, a carcinogenic substance found in foods including toast, cakes and chips. Some experiments have shown that it may also inhibit absorption of glucose in the digestive system and even out insulin levels. Regular use is associated with lower risk, and high intake (3–6 cups a day) seems to have a greater effect. Effects on insulin and blood sugar levels that would promote diabetes seem to be temporary. “Women who drink coffee in pregnancy are likely to be older and are more likely to smoke. Potassium can offset some of the negative consequences of sodium. Two to four cups of coffee a day, Oster says, don’t seem to be related to an increased risk of miscarriage. In the past, coffee was associated with increased health risks. The small study, conducted by the Centre for Nutrition Exercise and Metabolism at England’s University of Bath, looked at how coffee affects the body’s response to breakfast after a fragmented night’s sleep. Recent studies have shown that the benefits of multivitamins are negligible. “Consuming coffee produces no net benefit to our ability to work efficiently because we become tolerant to that effect, but as long as you keep consuming it, you’re probably not worse off.”, If you’re a regular coffee drinker, a cup is unlikely to help boost your concentration (Credit: Chee Gin Tan/Getty Images).