The Health Benefits and Cons of Coffee

By EatingWell Editors, "The Health Perks & Pans of Coffee," March/April 2011

Information every coffee lover should have.

READER'S COMMENT:

"You are going to die either way. May as well enjoy your coffee. "

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Easy Coffee Recipes
Healthy Coffee Dessert Recipes
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Health Cons of Coffee

-Cholesterol Caution. Boiled or unfiltered coffee (such as that made with a French press, or Turkish-style coffee) contains higher levels of cafestol, a compound that can increase blood levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol. Choose filtered methods instead, such as a drip coffee maker.

-Prudence for Pregnant and Nursing Women. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology says it’s safe for pregnant women to get a moderate amount of caffeine (no more than 200 mg, equivalent to 2 cups of coffee per day), but warns that it’s still not clear if higher intakes could increase risk of miscarriage. Since caffeine can pass into breast milk, nursing moms should cut down if their babies are restless or irritable.