Health views on coffee have come full circle

Paul Smithson

04/01/2012 14:40:05

The view of coffee from the healthcare sector have come full circle, it has been claimed.

According to the Chicago Tribune Health, the number of studies carried out in recent years that have found positive links to coffee consumption has caused many people to change their minds about the drink.

The publication stressed that there is still plenty for researchers to learn about coffee, but for now people can relax and enjoy their espresso coffee without being worried about what a doctor may say, as they might have done a few decades ago.

“Coffee consumption, which dates back to 6th century Ethiopia, is a unique food tradition - it crosses over socio-economic and cultural divides as people of many ages, incomes, and ethnicities enjoy coffee,” the newspaper remarked.

In terms of its health benefits, coffee has been associated with lower levels of certain illnesses - such as colon cancer - but on a more basic calorific level it is often preferable to alternative forms of caffeine, noted coffee blog ROASTe.com.

The site highlighted how there are relatively few calories in black coffee and adding a little dairy or rice milk will not see the drink match the calorific content of some carbonated beverages, while sweeteners can be used for those who have a sweet tooth but do not want to add sugar.