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Risk

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The risk or benefit of drinking coffee is not a clear issue, therefore it has to lean more to the risk side. Most importantly it depends upon the health of who is drinking it and how often they drink it. Coffee poses a small risk to most healthy people who just love the brew bouquet, as well as the quickening of their energy. However, it is hard to tell when a lifelong habit crosses the line to negatively affect a changing medical condition.

For example, coffee exacerbates the loss of calcium and magnesium. The loss of these minerals affects many different parts of the body. Magnesium is vital to efficient smooth muscle function, important in heart conditions as well as with digestive disorders. Calcium loss may be small, however, there is evidence the loss can deepen problems with PMS, and migraine headaches. In the course of one day, because caffeine is delivered in other drinks, the affect of one cup of coffee may more than it seems.

Due to the nature of caffeine, it can interfere with the proper function of the thyroid gland, whose job it is to master the energy production in the body. However, a few tablespoons of milk may offset this.

Another problem exacerbated by the loss of calcium is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. In this day of keyboards in every size and shape, our wrists are at risk from overuse of the connective tissue that makes them work. So then, it would be a good idea to avoid coffee if this condition is a personal problem.

Coffee is not recommended when certain medications have been prescribed. Sleeping disorders may occur if the timing and or quantity of caffeine is not managed well. Headaches may occur in some people who drink more coffee one day and none the next. The sudden deprivation of caffeine signals trouble for many of us.

In general, if coffee gives you succor and energy in the morning, enjoy and indulge to your hearts' content. But if you heart flutters once too often, or some other health problem signals a presence, it may be time to limit or discontinue drinking coffee. Caffeine has more risk than benefit for some people. For some it's a rocket ship to a better day. If you're a devoted coffee drinker, it might be good to think about it once in a while.

Learn more about this author, Jacquie Schmall.
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