Health risks and benefits of coffee intake clarified

Excessive coffee consumption can lead to a range of symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, stomach pain, heart palpitations, diarrhea and withdrawal effects. The National Institute of Mental Health advises people with anxiety to limit caffeine, while the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders notes that drinking more than two or three cups daily may cause diarrhoea.

Conversely, a study cited by the American Heart Association and explained by cardiologist Aurelio Rojas shows that moderate coffee intake – roughly two to five cups a day, up to 400 mg of caffeine – is associated with a 10 % lower risk of heart attack, 20 % lower risk of stroke, 30 % lower risk of type‑2 diabetes and reduced incidence of heart failure and certain arrhythmias. These benefits are attributed to coffee’s polyphenols and antioxidants, which improve vascular function, reduce inflammation and enhance insulin sensitivity. Filtered coffee is recommended, as unfiltered coffee can raise LDL cholesterol.