Coffee is one of the world’s favorite beverages. There are many people who cannot start their day without a hot cup of java. It is also a habit for some to have cups of coffee right through the day. This is why one should be aware of the effects coffee has on certain health conditions.

1. Benefits of Coffee for Certain Health Conditions
Recent studies have shown that there is a lower risk for regular drinkers of coffee for certain health conditions. Coffee contains pantothenic acid, riboflavin, potassium, manganese, magnesium, niacin, and antioxidants which are good for health. If ever you needed another excuse to enjoy a hot cup of java, here are a few more:

• Type 2 Diabetes
  Studies report a 23 to 50 percent lowered risk of type 2 diabetes in coffee drinkers. A larger study revealed that each cup of coffee consumed on a daily basis reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes by 7 percent.
• Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
  The neurodegenerative diseases of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s have no cure. But following a healthy diet and lifestyle are thought to prevent the disease. Some studies have shown that coffee drinkers are 65 percent less prone to Alzheimer’s disease. Other studies find that coffee drinkers have a 32 to 60 percent less risk for Parkinson’s.
• Liver Cirrhosis
  The intake of 4 or more cups of coffee daily lowers the risk of liver cirrhosis by a whopping 80 percent. Liver issues such as hepatitis and fatty liver may result in liver cirrhosis.
• Mood and Physical Performance
  Coffee has been traditionally used to improve alertness and wake a person up. Studies have shown that it also enhances physical performance. The caffeine in coffee does this by increasing the fight or flight hormone called adrenaline/epinephrine in the bloodstream. This signals all the relevant systems in the body to be ready for physical exertion.

2. Dangers of Coffee for Certain Health Conditions
While coffee is quite beneficial for people with the conditions mentioned above, the ones listed below are aggravated:

• Insomnia
  It is recommended that a person should have not more than 400 mg of caffeine in a day which equals 4 cups of coffee. Too much coffee can make a person restless and also make it hard to sleep.
• High Cholesterol
  The cafestol and kahweol in coffee raise LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream. These compounds are found in unfiltered coffee such as french press, Turkish, and espresso coffee. If you have high cholesterol levels it is safer to drink filtered coffee.
• Pregnancy
  Caffeine crosses the placental barrier to the fetus. Thus, it is recommended for pregnant women to cut down or altogether avoid the intake of coffee.

As with many things, too much coffee is definitely bad for you. But it pays to be aware of whether your coffee habit is doing you good or harm.