Coffee a Miracle Drink? Not So Fast…
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted October 25, 2017
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
I swear, you’d think Maxwell House and Folger’s had started their own research institute.
It seems like every day there’s a new study on how chugging down coffee will save your life.
Case in point? A new study from the European Society of Cardiology is now claiming that drinking coffee reduces your risk of death by as much as 65 percent.
Hey, I love coffee… but it’s time to pump the brakes a little.
Because there are a few things about all this coffee research that you haven’t been told.
And it’s time to throw a little cold water on all this “miracle drink” nonsense.
There are lots of problems with the studies showing that coffee will reduce your risk of cancer and diabetes… and even help you live longer.
The main problem is how the studies are conducted.
Most of these studies are so-called “population” or “epidemiological studies.”
Here’s what that means…
Researchers have a bunch of people fill out questionnaires at the beginning of the study, and then follow them for 10 or 20 years to see what happens to them.
That’s a big problem, because researchers just assume you maintain the same exact habits you did at the start of the study.
If you were drinking three cups of coffee a day when the study started, they assume you still are 10 years later.
If you weren’t drinking any coffee at all, they assume you’re still not touching the stuff.
You can see the problem here… just consider how your own coffee habits have evolved throughout the years.
But these studies assume the exact opposite – that nothing changes. That makes these studies unreliable.
Here is the biggest problem with the recent study out of Europe: A 65 percent decrease in death (particularly in people aged 45 years and above) cannot be explained by anything we know about coffee.
Sure, coffee has some health benefits, but not enough to pull people out of the grave.
Coffee is the second most consumed drink in the world – do you think that someone might have a stake is presenting coffee in a good light?
My guess is that someone was paying for good study results. Drug companies do it all the time.
In truth, I do think coffee has health benefits, and it contains antioxidants and polyphenols.
But here is the thing: There are much better places to get polyphenols than a cup of coffee.
Try this:
- Eat as many vegetables and fruits as you can. Find the ones with the most colors.
- Find a concentrated source of polyphenols: I prefer a powdered super food blend that also has probiotics and mix it into my yogurt every day.
Don’t think you have to drop your cup of coffee — there are some health benefits to it.
Just make sure you are getting enough good polyphenols in your diet (from other sources) if you want to live a long and healthy life.
Health and Happiness,
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Your Washed Fruits and Veggies Might STILL Be Toxic
We’ve all been there. Standing at the kitchen sink, dutifully washing our fruits and vegetables to remove the pesticides, feeling good about our healthy choices. But there’s a chance that all that scrubbing might be giving you a false sense of security… Unfortunately, the latest research on pesticides in our produce is downright alarming. And...
Peace, Joy, and... Pressure? How to Relieve Holiday Stress
The holiday season is upon us, bringing twinkling lights, good cheer, and… stress? If you’re feeling more frazzled than festive, you’re not alone. A recent American Psychological Association (APA) poll reveals a startling reality about our collective holiday experience. We often paint the holidays as a picture-perfect time of joy and togetherness. But for many,...
The Longevity Secret Hiding in Your Produce Drawer
Scientists recently uncovered a remarkable anti-aging compound that not only extends life… it could help protect your brain from age-related decline at the same time. And the best part? This secret to living longer (and better) might ALREADY be hiding in plain sight in your refrigerator… New animal research published in the journal Antioxidants has...
Playlist Hack SPEEDS UP Surgery Recovery
When you have surgery scheduled, you don’t just worry about the day of the operation. There’s the anxiety leading up to the surgery. And then, even worse, there’s the painful recovery afterward. But now scientists say there’s a drug-free way to bounce back FASTER with less pain and anxiety. And the trick is as simple...
Is Wine Good for Heart Health? The Truth REVEALED
For years, many of us have savored an evening glass of red wine, comforted by the notion that this amount of alcohol might benefit our heart health. Well, unfortunately, I have to be the bearer of bad news… Recent research is challenging this long-held belief. In fact, there’s growing evidence that even light to moderate...
The Surprising Reason to Embrace Holiday Break
When the holiday season arrives, you often hear warnings about managing the stress of family gatherings, social commitments, and overindulgent meals. However, some upbeat new research reveals that the holidays can also be a secret weapon for better health. The study found that regardless of whether you’re still working a 9 to 5, or are...
Mailbag: Your Green Light Guide to Healthy Eating
“As everyone is so quick to inform us what not to eat, would you kindly inform us of what we can eat? It seems like everything has been condemned at this point.” —Hungry Hi Hungry, I understand why you’re frustrated. With all the warnings, it can feel like EVERY food in the grocery store is...
“Jack Frost” Method Supercharges Your Workouts
As the mercury drops, we instinctively want to huddle inside under a warm blanket. But before you resign yourself to a season of hibernation and comfort foods, consider this… Braving the cold could be your secret weapon for better health. While safety should always come first, of course (never venture out on icy streets), there...
Common Vitamin Protects Your Pancreas
You’ve probably heard about vitamin B12 for its role in keeping your blood and nerves healthy. But could it also be the key to protecting your pancreas? New research from Sichuan University in China suggests that this unassuming B vitamin might have even more benefits than we thought—helping to reduce the risk of acute pancreatitis,...
The Fiber That May Mimic Ozempic?
Recently, Ozempic has gained fame as a weight loss drug that works by controlling blood sugar and reducing cravings. But what if a natural solution could offer similar benefits—without the potential side effects or costs associated with GLP-1 medications? According to new research, a type of dietary fiber could help with weight loss and blood...