Three Misconceptions about Coffee

Since the energy offering properties of coffee were discovered in Yemen, Ethiopia and the rest of the Arab world in around the 15th century, the delicious taste of fresh coffee has spread around the world to become one of the most cherished beverages available for humans to drink. But many worry about drinking too much coffee. What ill effects can it have on the body? Is it really safe? In this article, we look at three of the most common misconceptions about drinking coffee and show that, if drunk in safe quantities, coffee may even be good for you.

So, what are the three coffee misconceptions?

(1) Coffee stunts your growth

This is a pretty major concern. Can drinking coffee really stop you growing at the rumor suggests?

Thankfully, there's absolutely no truth to this one. You can drink coffee and still grow.

Where this rumor might have started, is that caffeine can be more dangerous to children than to adults. As their bodies are still developing, health care professionals suggest that children should avoid drinking caffeinated drinks. Of course, this should apply as much to soft drinks that contain caffeine like Coke and Pepsi. A small amount of caffeine will likely do children no harm, but for larger volumes children should be given the decaffeinated variety.

(2) Coffee is fattening

More good news for coffee drinkers. Merely drinking fresh coffee won't lead to you putting on weight. A six ounce mug of fresh coffee only contains five calories or thereabouts. So, you can continue to drink coffee without worrying too much about this.

This misconception probably springs from the fact that some coffee drinkers can be overweight. These people aren't drinking solely black coffee. Adding milk will increase the calorie count. A small dash of milk will likely be okay, but once you start frothing this to make cappuccino this can increase the calories.

Another danger are the syrups and alcoholic beverages often added to coffee to enhance the taste. These can also increase the fattening effect of coffee.

(3) Drinking coffee turns you into an insomniac

Unfortunately, for coffee lovers, there is some truth to this. Caffeine has a wonderful property of raising alertness, attentiveness and awakeness, but this can also have a downside, preventing sleep if taken to extremes.

Luckily, there is a simple solution. Avoid drinking coffee late in the day. Coffee can be a delicious morning drink, perfect to put a new spring into your step when you get up in the morning. You can also follow the English tradition of Elevenses and enjoy a pot in mid-morning. But generally try and avoid too much coffee in the afternoon and certainly in the evening. That way you won't end up having too many sleepless nights.

So, there you have three common misconceptions about coffee drinking, completely, or partially, debuffed. Do continue enjoying drinking coffee. It has a very pleasant taste and should be savoured, not scorned.