Do health nuts drink coffee?

There’s no doubt that there are very healthy people who do enjoy a cup of java in the morning. But what’s right for one person is not right for another.

What exactly does coffee do for you anyway?

Here’s what Gayle Reichler, author of Active Wellness, has to say about it in this excerpt from Page 12:

“Within five minutes after you drink your morning coffee, the caffeine begins to stimulate your central nervous system, triggering the release of stress hormones in your body, causing a stress (“fight or flight”) response. The stress hormones are useful ifyou need to prepare yourself to fight or flee a dangerous situation, but if you are simply sitting at your desk, you may feel a short charge of alertness, quickly followed by feelings of agitation. Within the next hour or so, after the stress response dissipates, you will probably feel more tired and hungry. At these low-energy times, many people reach for another cup of coffee, or eat a snack that is often high in sugar to “pep up” and stay alert. However, both caffeine and sugar only give you temporary feelings of increased
energy, which quickly dissipate. ...”

Not exactly a ringing endorsement for coffee! But here’s what Dr. Elson Haas has to say, on Page 30 of The New Detox Diet:

“A dosage of 50 to 100 mg caffeine, the amount in one cup of coffee, will produce a temporary increase in mental clarity and energy levels while simultaneously reducing drowsiness. It also improves muscular-coordinated work activity, such as typing. Through its CNS stimulation, caffeine increases brain activity; however, it also stimulates the cardiovascular system, raising blood pressure and heart rate. It
generally speeds up our body by increasing our basal metabolic rate (BMR), which burns more calories. Initially, caffeine may lower blood sugar; however, this can lead to increased hunger or cravings for sweets. After adrenal stimulation, blood sugar rises again. Caffeine also increases respiratory rates, and for people with tight airways, it can open breathing passages. Caffeine is also a diuretic and a mild laxative.”

OK. So coffee can be good. And coffee can be not so good. What the experts agree on is that coffee and high-sugar “pep up” foods go hand-in-hand. Not a good combination.