Coffee, good or bad?

[KeithTheSnake]

I gave up cigarettes. I gave up booze, for the most part. I miss them both. This far, and no farther!

I won't give up coffee until I'm convinced that it's so harmful to me that I must. I aint feeling too convinced.

[Runic]

The way I see it if there is evidence on both sides of the fence then it can't be that bad.

[soccerdad5]

"Coffeegeek facepalm"

Get some fresh beans roasted within 2 weeks, a french press, and a burr grinder. You'll never look back.

Where do you get your beans from?

[NerdAlert]

FWIW, I've been told by two docs that up to 6 cups or so is beneficial but beyond that is generally harmful. Best coffee I've found is from Pierce Bros Roasters. My favorite is Fogbuster.

[MichaelCJ]

I gave up cigarettes. I gave up booze, for the most part. I miss them both. This far, and no farther!

I won't give up coffee until I'm convinced that it's so harmful to me that I must. I aint feeling too convinced.

Yep, same here. Still have a few drinks now and then, but nothing like I used to...

Coffee, I guess I've cut down on too. But then, I used to drink an awful lot of the stuff. :/ 2-3 cups a day is enough to get by, nowadays. And damn, I really do enjoy those cups. And, didja know, enjoyment/happiness/pleasure is good for your health?! Yeah, weird, I know.

[Zoosh]

If they had coffee in I.v. Bags I'd buy it and run it straight in!

[michail71]

The way I see it if there is evidence on both sides of the fence then it can't be that bad.

I don't even think there is any evidence to suggest it is bad, at least in healthy individuals. There was a study years ago that was later invalidated. Which I think is caused some of the hysteria. Also, the old wives tails of it stunting growth, etc.

It's sort of like all the other things that are good for you that people fear -- sunshine, salt, fat/cholesterol, meat, etc.

[DocHoss]

A study of more than 600 men published in the August 2006 European Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that coffee drinkers may be protected from mild memory and thinking problems that come with old age.

Hate to think how absent-minded I'd be if I didn't drink coffee!

There is research out there that says its good, and some says its bad.
I love me coffee. Its my get up and go in the am and I also use it for my pre training stim. I also like the taste.
There is tons of conflicting info out there. Do what you think is right.

There are two issues here - caffeine and all the other chemicals in coffee. I try to stick to decaf as much as I can so I can save the caffeine for when I really need it, but I've fallen off the wagon lately. Funny though, sometimes it will put me right to sleep. When I have gone cold turkey off caffeinated coffee I can get a wicked withdrawal headache, but only for the first day.

1-2 pots a day for the last 23 years. Cant be good for me but my labs are good.

Without it my resting heart rate sits in the 40s and I feel like garbage. Coffee gets me up into the 60s which is much more comfortable.

Wow, 40s is amazing! Not that I am surprised, seeing your pictures.

yada yada yada (paraphrased)

Two posts and already banned. I am impressed.

[COOLMAX]

I love coffee! I was drinking from anything from 2 to 4 coffee mugs a day with just milk. I was also at one stage using fat burners for a 4 - 5 month period (eg Gaspari Mitotropin, Lipo 6 etc) on top of the coffee - for 2x cardio sessions a day. By chance I did a gyno and endoscopy. Turned out I had my stomach lining was quite "weak" (slight bleeding but noting else with absence of L.Pylori bacteria) and was told to avoid spicy foods etc etc and cut down to 1 cup of coffee a day by my specialist. Was prescribled Nexium for 3 months on 40mg dosage to reduce the acidity level of the stomach so the lining can heal.

I was ALSO on Intermittent fasting (IF) though. Doctor also said to "eat regularly"... so there went my "IF" diet -- which was working really great for me except for my stomach!

So was not sure if it was "IF" or the coffee or other factors. Either way - I now "try" not to drink 4 cups a day.

[drudixon]

"Coffeegeek facepalm"

Get some fresh beans roasted within 2 weeks, a french press, and a burr grinder. You'll never look back.

But can I push a button and have coffee come out?

[michail71]

I love coffee! I was drinking from anything from 2 to 4 coffee mugs a day with just milk. I was also at one stage using fat burners for a 4 - 5 month period (eg Gaspari Mitotropin, Lipo 6 etc) on top of the coffee - for 2x cardio sessions a day. By chance I did a gyno and endoscopy. Turned out I had my stomach lining was quite "weak" (slight bleeding but noting else with absence of L.Pylori bacteria) and was told to avoid spicy foods etc etc and cut down to 1 cup of coffee a day by my specialist. Was prescribled Nexium for 3 months on 40mg dosage to reduce the acidity level of the stomach so the lining can heal.

I was ALSO on Intermittent fasting (IF) though. Doctor also said to "eat regularly"... so there went my "IF" diet -- which was working really great for me except for my stomach!

So was not sure if it was "IF" or the coffee or other factors. Either way - I now "try" not to drink 4 cups a day.

I don't think IF would have cause such problems on its own. But if you had the fat burners on an empty stomach it may have contributed?

[ant1lg]

Good as long as you don't withdraw on a daily basis, srs

[beybifeyz]

as far as i know coffee will take out the water from your body

[gixxer1620]

Had my first ever cup today, never fancied the taste or smell much but felt great after! Had anuther pre workout and smashed out a pretty decent shoulder workout! Needless to say Im hooked. Better for you than energy drinks....

[michail71]

as far as i know coffee will take out the water from your body

That's has been shown to be a myth as well. I think it takes a rather large amount to have a minimal diuretic effect.

[nixter]

Where do you get your beans from?

Local roasters. That's your best bet. I'll let you in on a little secret. No grocery store, super market, Costco, or even Starbucks sells fresh beans. You will normally only find fresh beans at good coffee shops. On a good bag of beans there will ALWAYS be a "roasted on" label telling you when the beans were roasted. For the best tasting coffee you want to use the beans within 2-3 weeks of that date. This is NOT the same thing as a "Use by" or "Best before" label that you will find on bags of beans found in most super markets, even the high end fancy super markets. That "Best Before" date is often 6 months from when the beans were actually roasted. Super markets wont stock beans with a roast date because they know they can't move the product fast enough. They want you to think that because the beans are in a vacuum sealed bag that they are fresh and good for months. They aren't. Beans will degas whether they are sealed or not. If you can't find a place close to you selling fresh beans you can always order them. Intelligensia, Klatch, Phil & Sebastian, Counter Culture. Those are a few that will sell online.

One other tip is that beans must NEVER be pre ground. You should always grind immediately before brewing for optimal flavor.

But can I push a button and have coffee come out?

No

[daveatl]

Whatever kind of coffee you drink, if you drink it in moderation, it's not going to hurt you.

[billb7581]

If coffee is bad, I may as well pack it in.

[tryintorebuild]

Research shows......





What the researchers want it to show. JMO. That said, I drink a lot of coffee. It helps me focus and..... Oh look a puppy!

[itsallgood]

Had my first ever cup today, never fancied the taste or smell much but felt great after! Had anuther pre workout and smashed out a pretty decent shoulder workout! Needless to say Im hooked. Better for you than energy drinks....

First ever cup at 36 years old? wow!

[COOLMAX]

I don't think IF would have cause such problems on its own. But if you had the fat burners on an empty stomach it may have contributed?

Thanks Michail for commenting. To this day (it's been 1.5 years since the endoscopy) I do not know. I really liked IF and I really like Caffinine (be it from coffee or a pill). But either way I am now back to 6 small meals spaced out through the day and coffee in 'moderation'. Am really not sure.

As for your comments about pills on an empty stomach - true point. Stomach on "IF" ie., no food for 15+ hours and then throw down 3 big 'fat burner' pills that may not be too kind to my stomach .... and it may not have been the 4-6 Starbuck Venti coffees..... (I always take it with milk)

As one previous poster mentioned 'all in moderation'.

[COOLMAX]

First ever cup at 36 years old? wow!

I didn't take my 1st coffee till around that age also... sorta amazing. Somehow when I was young and lesser responsibilities in life (I have kids now etc) I never needed an energy booster and I hated the taste of coffee.... YUCKS why do people drink that disgusting stuff?

Then Starbucks started invading the area I stay, added in the other coffee chains sprouting everywhere -- and then I had 2 kids....somehow my life changed and I was like a flat battery. DRANK that first cup and it was like "HOLY ****". I was hooked and now I crave coffee. Definietly an acquired taste IMO.