Dr. Uma Naidoo, a nutritional psychiatrist at Harvard Medical School, said the sight of coffee can trigger positive memories or beliefs in some people.
“The visual impact of coffee is powerful,” he said. “It might be like, ‘Oh, I think there’s something that energizes me right now. I’ll have something to give me that second wind I need at work or studying.’”
And now the big question: is coffee healthy or not?
Well, there is evidence that it is good for you, when consumed in moderation.
THE Mayo Clinic claims that coffee may offer some protection against Parkinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes, liver disease, heart attack and stroke.
But he warns that coffee’s high caffeine content can temporarily increase blood pressure.
“Women who are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding should be cautious about caffeine,” said the clinic’s Dr. Donald Hensrud. “High consumption of boiled, unfiltered coffee has been associated with a slight increase in cholesterol levels.”
Frank Hu, chair of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard University’s TH Chan School of Public Health, he said“The overall evidence was quite convincing that coffee was more beneficial than harmful in terms of health outcomes.
“For most people, moderate coffee consumption can be incorporated into a healthy diet.”
If you have any concerns about coffee intake, consult your primary care physician or other healthcare provider.
Related reading: NBC, ABC7, Mayo Clinic, Discover Magazine
