Coffee

Coffee appears to reduce all-cause mortality risk and mortality risk from PCa, in addition to reducing the likelihood of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, dementia, and type 2 diabetes. These reductions are seen with 3+ cups of coffee per day and appear to be on the order of 10-25%. For aggressive PCa the risk reduction found by the NIH was even more substantial. On the order of 60% for 6+ cup coffee drinkers.  The risk reduction is independent of caffeine. Therefore, one does not have to be wired to get the protective effects. Just drink decaf.

Organic coffee is preferable to conventional. And whole beans that you grind yourself are as good, if not better, than ground.

There are at least three components in coffee that are toxic or deleterious to the body. One is cafestol. Cafestol elevates cholesterol. By using filters cafestol can be reduced. The second known toxin is acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is found in many foods but, in general, the percentage in coffee is higher than in most foods. However, the mass of coffee beans used for a cup of coffee is low and the actual amount of acetaldehyde consumed from coffee is extremely low.

A note about acetaldehyde: The acetaldehyde created during alcohol consumption is up to 300 times higher than in coffee. There are enzymes in the saliva that convert alcohol into acetaldehyde. The acetaldehyde can be minimized by drinking the alcohol quickly.

The third is acrylamide. Instant coffee is higher in acrylamide than regular and is lowest in dark roasted coffee. Acrylamide is formed while heating the coffee so cold-brewed coffee is quite low in acrylamide.

There is also some speculation about mycotoxins (mold). However, the levels are very low and are probably of no concern.

Although there are methods to reduce cafestol and acetaldehyde, I have not come across research indicating conclusively that the protective effects from coffee are not due in part to one of these substances. So, to hedge my bets I drink about half my coffee from cold brewed, some drip using filters, and some unfiltered drip. I grind my own organic decaf beans. I love coffee so having over 6 cups a day is easy for me.