Drink More Coffee?

Picture by LWYang from Flickr

If you're like me and need your daily brew, look no further. The 2015 Dietary Guidelines AdvisoryCommittee (DGAC) stated that there is strong evidence that drinking three to five cups of coffee a day (or up to 400 mg of coffee) is not associated with any long term risks among healthy individuals. 

There may even be some benefits. There is consistent evidence that coffee consumption is associated with decreased risk of getting type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease in healthy adults.

There is also moderate evidence that coffee/ caffeine intake can reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease.

The report also suggested that moderate coffee drinking can be incorporated into your diet along with other healthy behaviours.

There are also other performance enhancing benefits for athletes like improving reaction time and rebuilding your glycogen stores, but that's another post.

What you should be careful with is the sugar and cream that goes along with your coffee actually. The report notes that the cream and added sugar many people consume with their coffee should be minimized.

There is however limited evidence about the safety of high caffeine sports and energy drinks. The report actually suggest that children and adolescents avoid or minimize consumption of high caffeine drinks and other products.

Now you know.

Here's the report from DGAC.