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Coffee is
LIKELY SAFE for most healthy adults when consumed in moderate amounts (about 4 cups per day).
Coffee containing caffeine can cause insomnia, nervousness and restlessness, stomach upset, nausea and vomiting, increased heart and breathing rate, and other side effects.
Drinking unfiltered coffee can increase total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and levels of another type of blood fat called triglycerides. This might increase the risk of developing heart disease. Using coffee filters helps to reduce these effects on cholesterol.
Caffeinated coffee is
POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth for a long time or in high doses (more than 4 cups per day). Drinking large amounts of caffeinated coffee might cause headache, anxiety, agitation, ringing in the ears, and irregular heartbeats. Drinking more than 6 cups daily might cause "caffeinism" with symptoms such as anxiety or agitation. Also, people who drink a lot of caffeinated coffee every day may need to drink more coffee to get the same effects. They may also become "dependent" on coffee to the point that they develop withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly stop drinking it.
There is some concern that drinking more than 5 cups of coffee per day might not be safe for people with heart disease. But for people who don't have heart disease, drinking several cups daily does not seem to increase the chance of developing a heart problem. There is also concern that occasional coffee drinking might trigger a heart attack in some people. People who usually don't drink more than one cup of coffee daily and also have multiple risk factors for heart disease seem to have an increased risk for heart attack within an hour after drinking coffee. But people who regularly drink greater amounts do not seem to have this risk.
There is some concern that drinking coffee might increase the risk of some types of cancers. However, there is no good evidence that coffee increases the risk of any type of cancer. Scientists continue to look at this.
Coffee is also
POSSIBLY UNSAFE when given rectally as an enema. Coffee enemas have been linked to cases of severe side effects, including death.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Caffeinated coffee is
POSSIBLY SAFE for pregnant women in amounts of 3 cups per day or less. This amount of coffee provides about 300 mg of caffeine. Consuming larger amounts during pregnancy or when breast-feeding is
POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Drinking more than 3 cups per day during pregnancy has been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weight. These risks increase as the amount of coffee the mother drinks during pregnancy increases. Also, caffeine can pass into breast milk, so nursing mothers should closely monitor caffeine intake to make sure it is on the low side (1-2 cups per day). High intake of caffeine by nursing mothers can cause sleep problems, irritability, and increased bowel activity in breast-fed infants.
Children: Caffeinated coffee is
POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by children and adolescents in amounts commonly found in foods and beverages.
Anxiety disorders: The caffeine in coffee might make anxiety worse.
Bipolar disorder: The caffeine in coffee might make symptoms of mania worse.
Bleeding disorders: There is some concern that coffee might make bleeding disorders worse.
Heart disease: Drinking unfiltered (boiled) coffee increases the amount of cholesterol and other fats in the blood, and also raises the level of homocysteine, all of which are associated with an increased risk of developing heart disease. Some research suggests an association between heart attacks and drinking coffee.
Diabetes: Some research suggests that caffeine contained in coffee might change the way people with diabetes process sugar. Caffeine has been reported to cause increases as well as decreases in blood sugar. Use caffeine with caution if you have diabetes and monitor your blood sugar carefully.
Diarrhea: Coffee contains caffeine. The caffeine in coffee, especially when taken in large amounts, can worsen diarrhea.
Glaucoma: Drinking caffeinated coffee increases pressure inside the eye. The increase starts within 30 minutes and lasts for at least 90 minutes.
High blood pressure: Drinking caffeinated coffee might increase blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. However, this effect might be less in people who drink coffee regularly.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Coffee contains caffeine. The caffeine in coffee, especially when taken in large amounts, can worsen diarrhea and might worsen symptoms of IBS.
Thinning bones (osteoporosis): Drinking caffeinated coffee can increase the amount of calcium that is flushed out in the urine. This might weaken bones. If you have osteoporosis, limit caffeine consumption to less than 300 mg per day (less than 3 cups of caffeinated coffee). Taking calcium supplements may help to make up for calcium that is lost. If you are generally healthy and getting enough calcium from your food and supplements, taking up to 400 mg of caffeine daily (about 4 cups of coffee) doesn't seem to increase the risk of getting osteoporosis. Postmenopausal women who have an inherited condition that keeps them from processing vitamin D normally, should be especially cautious when using caffeine.
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