Coffee Consciousness

Written by Katherine Anderson | 30 November 2010

It's 6:45am on a dark, chilly morning in late November, you're out of the shower and the brain fog isn't letting up. For millions around the world coffee is the next logical move -- it sharpens the mind and quickens the step; but are there negatives to this equation? Coffee, as you may already know, is a mixed bag.

Provided it comes from a sustainable organic source, coffee can have a number of positive effects on the body: it enhances mood and can act as a mild anti-depressant; it has antioxidant properties that prevent cellular breakdown that contributes to aging. Coffee can even aid in digestion by speeding up the metabolism -- think shot of dark Italian espresso after thanksgiving dinner.

For its cons, we'll concentrate on coffee's effect on the delicate digestive system. Its acidity troubles the digestive tract in two ways… first, coffee dries out the slick environment of the intestines that serve as a greasing station for your soon-to-be eliminated food. This now barren, dry environment slows and sometimes prevents the elimination process. Second, coffee affects little villi (little hairs) that happily line the protective barrier between your intestines and your blood stream; these hairs oversee all that is absorbed into your blood stream. Coffee's acidity singes these hairs, shortening them so they are unable to pull nutrients from your food. So, there you have it… coffee's acidic properties are worth considering.

As with everything in my health counseling practice, I encourage you to enjoy all things in moderation, including coffee. Should you need a few extra cups of coffee to shake loose those morning cobwebs, you will want to go easy the next day. If you find yourself with a troubled digestive system which you're not sure how to remedy, contact me for a free health consultation. I'm happy to help.

- Katherine Anderson, www.KCAwellness.com "Where Food Meets Health & Happiness"

Katherine is teaching SEASONAL EATING & HEALTHY LIVING, a series of four classes over the course of the season on food and healthy living.  The first class is this Saturday, December 4 at 10:00am!

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written by David Hartshorne, November 30, 2010
You are right! I did enjoy this article and might add that coffee drinkers are some of the happiest people on the planet for that first moment or two when we hold that warm cup in our cold little hands and smell the wonderful coffee smell. Thanks for the great reminder to partake in moderation. Too much of a good thing may be a bad thing. Keep the articles coming!!

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