GOOD NEWS FOR COFFEE LOVERS

The world’s most widely consumed psychoactive drug is caffeine. We can get our caffeine in energy drinks, but tea or coffee are preferable.

A recent study, published in the British Medical Journal, found that drinking coffee was associated with a significantly lower risk of heart disease and cancer, possibly because it’s rich in antioxidants and other anti-inflammatory compounds. Coffee drinking was also associated with a lower rate of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Based on this, the most effective ‘dose’ is between two and five cups a day. But don’t overdo it. If you drink more than that, any benefits drop off.

Drinking coffee may also help us do more exercise. Studies show that coffee drinking makes exercise feel easier and reduces symptoms of fatigue. The optimum amount is around 3mg of caffeine per kilogram of bodyweight. So, for someone who weighs 70kgs that would mean two cups taken an hour before exercise. But do skip the carrot cake!