Can Drinking Coffee Protect Women?

Antioxidants are a hot topic of discussion these days. In the last decade more and more evidence has been uncovered linking oxidative damage to disease in humans. Oxidative stress and the production of free radicals have been implicated in many chronic diseases including cancer, heart disease, dementia, and diabetes.

We are constantly exposed to compounds that increase the oxidative load or oxidative stress in our body. Self-chosen substances such as cigarettes and trans fats contribute, as well as pollution, pesticides, and stressful living. To reduce the damage that oxidative stress causes we can consume antioxidants, either in our foods or as supplements.

Even though coffee is high in antioxidants, it often gets a bad reputation because its affects on our metabolism and adrenal glands. However, the information gathered from the Iowa Women's Health Study found that in modest amounts it can be extremely beneficial to our health.

The study followed more than 27,000 women age 55-69 for an average of 15 years. In that time frame 4,265 women died from various causes. Researchers were investigating for a possible relationship between daily coffee consumption and incidence of cancer, heart disease, autoimmune, disease, and other inflammatory conditions.

They found that women who drank 1-3 cups of coffee daily had a 25% reduction in incidence of inflammatory related deaths compared to women who did not drink any coffee on a daily basis. Meaning women who drank coffee were less likely to die of causes related to increased inflammation in the body such as but not limited to heart disease, dementia, and autoimmune disorders. Cancer incidence and death was not related to coffee intake.

And for those of us who drink higher amounts of coffee on a daily basis, the benefit for cardiovascular protection significantly diminished. So ladies, if you must drink coffee, limit it to 3 cups a day.