BBC Breakfast: Louise on her new 'coffee regime'
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Coffee is accepted to have some health benefits.
According to experts the benefits range from boosted energy to heart health.
While the power of the bean can be used for good, coffee in it’s most decadent and sugary form can have a negative impact.
One area where coffee can have a negative impact, is on your cholesterol.
There are two types of cholesterol, LDL and HDL.
LDL stands for Low-Density Lipoprotein; this is bad cholesterol that blocks your heart vessels, raises your blood pressure and can lead to more serious conditions developing.
HDL stands for High-Density Lipoprotein; this is good cholesterol that keeps your heart healthy and gets rid of bad LDL cholesterol.
You want as little LDL as possible and as much HDL as possible.
So where does coffee come into this?
Brewed coffee is nothing to worry about as it has no cholesterol kin coffee beans, according to cardiologist Dennis Bruemmer.
“There are certain types of coffee where the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels may be a little higher,” he told Cleveland Clinic.
These include French press coffee, Turkish coffee and espresso.
He added the amount of coffee people typically consume has little, if any effect on cholesterol, as long as its in moderation.
And the same goes for adding cream and sugar, as long as its in moderation.
But one type of coffee drink that could do damage is the frappucino.
“Now we’re not talking coffee anymore,” said Dr Bruemmer.
“We’re talking about cream and caramel, things high in sugar. They’re consumed as a full meal and have 50 grams or more of sugar. Once you consider the cream and even the size you’re talking about 600 calories, over a quarter of your daily calories right there. It’s completely out of proportion to what moderation would be considered.”
He added it becomes even worse when it becomes part of your daily routine and baked goods are thrown in.
But straight coffee could help you live longer.
Coffee has been shown to help lower your risk from conditions such as heart disease.
Coffee can also increase your energy and performance, giving you an extra boost thanks to the caffeine content.
Furthermore, research has suggested that the caffeine in the coffee can help boost your metabolism; helpful in burning off that Christmas dinner.
Alongside this, that mug of bean-based goodness, could play a role in reducing your risk of developing conditions such as Alzheimer’s by boosting brain function.
Lastly, there is some evidence, although more research is needed, that coffee could lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
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