Is coffee harmful to my health?

One of the questions I get asked a lot is about coffee. Health friend or foe? Well, it depends, and, as with so many things in the field of nutrition, there is a lot of disagreement on the topic.

First of all, it depends on what coffee you're drinking. A small cup of organic, shade-grown coffee with a dash of real cream isn't going to be the end of the world. An extra-large mocha latte with lots of sugar, artificial flavors, and extra whipped cream -- well, that's a different story. If you love your coffee and don't want to give it up, limit it to one small cup in the morning, and keep it simple. Drink it black or with a little real cream (none of that fat-free creamer that has lots of chemicals and artificial flavors to make you think you're drinking something yummy).

Of course, it's even better to simply avoid coffee altogether. With its high levels of caffeine, drinking it is our body's equivalent to running on fumes. Jacked up on caffeine, you end up depleting your true energy stores and, over time, are at risk of exhaustion. Coffee might provide a quick boost in the short term, but it's draining in the long run. It's also damaging to the lining of the intestine, responsible for the "elimination response" for which it is renowned.