Since coffee was widely traded centuries ago, there has been a constant opposing force denouncing it’s legitimacy and clear benefit to the common man’s health. Whether it the raging superstitions from religion groups, or the prejudice expressed by medical institutions, there’s a constant war against coffee.

Muslims forbade it due to its stimulating effects similar to alcoholic beverages. Then later they permitted as it was actually found that it had negative affects to alcohol, and thus it is widely consumed by the Arabians. Within the Christian world, coffee was branded as an ‘infidel’ drink until Pope Clement VIII had a taste and deemed it preposterous that such a delicious drink could be reserved only to the infidels.

Over time more knowledge about coffee was found, particularly the component caffeine it consists of. Coffee is actually sometimes classed as a drug because it contains caffeine. Yet, despite the widely acknowledged benefits of coffee, why are there constant ‘health experts’ who preach the abstinence of it? It just seems that people don’t want the common man to benefit from God’s free natural creation and have pleasure eating his food. Surely caffeine isn’t really bad?

What is caffeine?

Caffeine is a component in coffee that as a bodily system depressant. It acts a stimulant to the cerebrospinal (fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord), promoting mental activity. If coffee, which contain caffeine is really that bad, then why not the same shutdown regarding certain teas or chocolate for that matter. Even though the potency of caffeine is higher in coffee, perhaps the messaging should be on moderation rather that complete rejection of it.

The Negative Effects Cited Against Coffee

It is true that not everyone can drink coffee. Because of the particular characteristics of an individual, they may be susceptible to coffee addiction and will abuse the drinking of it. Thus, they should stay away from it. Moreover, others may have adverse reactions when drinking coffee, and so likewise they must avoid it. But just because certain people cannot for whatever drink it, just like some people are allergic to butter, doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be recommended for the entire world.

We know that coffee can keep you awake. This may be a good or bad thing. It may give you heart-palpatations. That’s why I would recommended drinking good quality coffee where possible. And we have talked about the addictive nature of coffee – self control is key.

What are the benefits of coffee?

As coffee has been around since the ancient days, the people of that time possibly knew how beneficial it was. With scientific experiments conducted much later on, the benefits of coffee has been published widely even as early as the 1800s. It has written that coffee increases the capacity for the body’s muscles and mind to work optimally, by removing the fatigue feeling in the muscles. After drinking coffee, your mind becomes clear and concepts more readily understood as well as causing the body’s muscles to contract more easily and increasing their functioning abilities.

Coffee and Alertness

Not only does coffee make your mind and thoughts more precise and clear, it also aids good digestion, stimulating the digestive system. As a mild laxative and diuretic, it will help stimulate the secretion of bile and urine thus easily removing toxins from the body. Yet too much coffee will induce constipation and hemorrhoids.

Today we’re experience a great stupor amongst the nations, a sense of dreariness and brain inactivity. I believe that coffee is an elixir that can help to expel the stupor in people and help them to be more alert and conscious. It was once said that many leaders were born from a sip of coffee, who found their voices amidst coffee houses. In an old paper (over 100 years ago) on typhoid fever, Dr Guillasse of the French Navy noted the observation that after patients drank coffee, they complexion soon revived and they swiftly “came to their senses”. Thus coffee has been regarded as a beneficial medicine to treat typhoid fever.

Coffee and Asthma

If you have asthma, then drinking coffee may be of benefit to your system. A book in 1917 stated that drink coffee with lemon may have positive benefits to asthma individuals. On the Allergy & Asthma Network website, it also cites the positive effects coffee can have. A study showed that individuals who regularly drink coffee, report their asthma symptoms reducing by 27%.

Should pregnant women drink coffee

According to knowledge in the early 20th century, it is not advised that pregnant women drink coffee. One effect of drinking coffee is that it stimulates the kidneys, drawing the necessary salts away from the body which would of benefit to the developing baby. It may also have an affect on the milk production during the nursing stages. Interestingly it was noted that although the caffein in coffee may improve milk flow, yet it will dilute the consistency and later decrease the supply.

How to Drink Coffee

Most people like to drink coffee hot. A good coffee is well roasted and brewed. Traditionally coffee has been made with generous amounts of cream and sugar; a recipe that will not induce insomnia as black coffee would, but helps one to sleep as it draws blood away from the head and into the stomach.

Old knowledge has advised that if you want the effects of keeping awake, then you should drink coffee six hours before you have scheduled yourself to sleep.

References
Caffein Intake and Asthma Symptoms https://d.docksci.com/caffeine-intake-and-asthma-symptoms_5e86be9a097c4723378b458a.html#google_vignette [Accessed 9 Oct 2025]
Cauchois, F. A. (1892). Over the black coffee. New York: Baker and Taylor co..
Coffee and Asthmas, https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/news/coffee-and-asthma/ [Accessed 9 Oct 2025]
Federación Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia. (1939). Coffee facts and fantasies. New York City: National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia.
Ladies Journal Dec 1916
Ukers, W. H. (William Harrison). (1922). All about coffee. New York: The Tea and Coffee Trade Journal Company.

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