Previous research has shown health benefits from drinking coffee. But this time, the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research has identified just how much you should drink.
Sadly, I don’t drink enough, at least not on weekdays.
The study showed the magic number is four cups a day, no more, no less. At four cups, they say the good chemical compounds in coffee help decrease your risk of heart disease and diabetes. And drinking four cups of coffee can also help you lose weight. But at less than four cups, you don’t get the full health benefits. And at more than four cups, the researchers found you actually begin to see negative health effects and more risk of gaining weight.
Four cups are too many for me. Unless it’s the weekend. But during the week I’m a two cup, maybe a three cup gal. So I guess I’m not getting all of the benefits. However the scientists say the good stuff isn’t related to caffeine, so decaf can count as part of the four.
And keep in mind that by next week this study will be debunked and coffee will be found to cause acne, stomach upset, loss of bladder control and marital conflict.
And remember, we’re talking cups here! Most mugs hold 2 cups, except for mine, I think it likely holds 4. And a extra large Tim’s, well that’s a week’s worth of coffee in one go.
That’s so true. The coffee machine at work makes one actual cup at a time. But at home, that’s a different story and that’s why on weekends it’s like getting a bottomless cup of coffee at our house!