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POSSIBLE HAZARDS
Coffee is best consumed in moderation. The following are possible hazards linked to coffee:
• Infertility. A number of studies have found that consuming more than 300 mg caffeine a day is associated with a delay in conception.
• Heart problems. Caffeine prompts a tempo¬rary rise in blood pressure; it can also provoke cardiac arrhythmias in susceptible persons.
• Bone loss. Coffee increases calcium excretion in the urine. To compensate for this loss, heavy coffee drinkers should consume extra calcium-rich foods.
• Caffeine withdrawal. Heavy coffee drinkers who stop imbibing coffee abruptly may suffer headaches, irritability, and other withdrawal symptoms for a few days. Cut back gradually.
• Cholesterol problems. Cafestol and kahweol, compounds in coffee, can boost cholesterol synthesis by the liver. These are found in highest concentrations in Scandinavian and Turkish coffees, as well as French-press brews.
• Caffeine is a diuretic, meaning it increases the output of urine. This is a concern for men with prostate problems.
DECAFFEINATED COFFEE
Many people drink decaffeinated coffee to escape the insomnia and jittery nerves caused by caffeine. But even decaffeinated coffee has up to 5 mg of caffeine in a 5-oz (150-ml) cup. People with sleep problems are better off avoid¬ing coffee.
Regular coffee consumption could help older people. A study on aging revealed that coffee helped older people think more quickly, improve their memory, and have better reasoning. Another study reported that women over 80 with a history of coffee consumption had better performance results on tests of mental function. Lifetime coffee consumption has even been linked to a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease.