Coffee has frequently suffered from a health image problem. As Ian Bersten points out in “Coffee, Sex & Health” (Helian Books), it could be coffee’s bad luck to have had a name so close to its alkaloid component, caffeine. However, coffee can play a role in keeping you healthy if consumed in moderation as indicated in the following research:

Mark Florence, former chief scientist with the CSIRO and co-author of “The Handbook of Preventive Medicine” (Kingsclear Books) found that brewed coffee minimalises the action of a chemical called theophylline which helps dilate bronchial muscles which become constricted during cold or flu epidemics or in asthmatics. He recommends drinking no more than 2 cups brewed or 4 cups instant per day.

In Mark Walqvist’s book “Agefit: Fitness and Nutrition For An Independent Future” (Pan MacMillan), it is reported that coffee releases fat from fat cells and assists in weight loss. He also says that coffee may play a role in cancer prevention but stresses the links are weak. He points out that the way in which coffee is made may determine how beneficial it is - freshly filtered is best.

After analysing 17 published studies on coffee consumption and colorectal cancer, Professor Edward Giovanucci of Harvard Medical School found the risk of colorectal cancer to be 24 per cent lower among those who drink four or more cups of coffee per day than the risk among those who rarely or never drink coffee.

Coffee contains potentially cardioprotective flavonoids, which have antioxidant properties, so the occasional cup of coffee may not be bad for you, it may even provide some benefit.

Common levels of caffeine in foods and beverages are described in the table below :

Beverage  :                                                     Caffeine content (mg) :
instant coffee                                                1 heaped tsp 90mg
percolated coffee 200ml                           100mg
brewed (drip method) 200ml                 140mg
cappuccino                                                      80mg
espresso 100ml                                             80mg
cafe latte                                                           55mg

The recommended intake of caffeine is less than 200mg/day.

Based on recent evidence, it seems that up to three cups of coffee or equivalent caffeine intake a day will not do any harm (unless you are pregnant, suffer from stomach ulcers, hypertension or heart arrhythmia) and may indeed provide some health benefits.