Is Coffee Bad for You? | Dr. Josh Axe

One of the most common questions I’ve been getting recently is, “Is coffee bad for you?” The answer is, yes … and no.

Coffee is beneficial because it contains massive amounts of antioxidants, which help slow the ageing process and protect you from free radical damage. Coffee also helps stimulate the liver and increases circulation, helping blood flow to the brain.

Coffee can be harmful in some ways because of the amount of caffeine it contains. The caffeine in coffee can overstimulate the body, burn out your adrenal glands, and overtax your body.

About 80% of people in the world will struggle with thyroid problems or fatigue issues. For this group, I wouldn’t recommend coffee because it will burn out your adrenal glands. However, if you’re generally healthy, then drinking coffee in moderate amounts can be fine, and even good for your health. I wouldn’t recommend drinking coffee past lunch time because it can affect your sleep cycle that night.

Depending on the condition of your body, if you’re suffering from an autoimmune disease, coffee can make your disease worse. If you’re pretty healthy, looking for a pick-me-up, or looking for more antioxidants, then coffee can provide you with these benefits. When picking out your coffee beans, I would recommend choosing all natural, organic coffee because it’s one of the most highly sprayed plants in the world. Lastly, if you’re looking for a great substitute for coffee, I would suggest drinking matcha green tea because it has great benefits and one-third the amount of caffeine.
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Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CNS, is a doctor of chiropractic, certified doctor of natural medicine and clinical nutritionist with a passion to help people eat healthily and live a healthy lifestyle.
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This content is strictly the opinion of Dr. Josh Axe and is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. All viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Dr. Axe nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.

[thehealthychefri]

I don't eat or drink anything. I just slowly breath in air and hope for the best!

[AlainTabangin]

I stop drinking coffee and my productivity increased. Also, I go sleep so much better. Not going back to drinking anything with caffeine. Used to drink coffee every day because of work but now, I'm happy for quiting the drug.

[AprilSixsmith]

Great video. I gave up coffee last November. Haven't had one sip since. My anxiety, depression, energy levels, sleep patterns and ability to focus have improved drastically. I am a tea drinker solely.

[zohaibakhter]

"The answer is yes and no" That's what I have been writing in exams from years

[debbywatkins]

I love your 5 second intro. Some of these youtube channels have a full minute and more. Drives me crazy.

[amyparker]

2 weeks coffee and black tea free! Feeling hydrated and sleeping better. I still have green tea and dark chocolate though. I very well might go back to drinking coffee, but I feel a break every now and then is a good thing.

[tomasrandom]

"coffee lovers" is the polite way of saying "coffee addicts"

[Mrs-dfzx]

I became so addicted to coffee, especially iced coffee. It caused me so much acid reflux, raised my blood pressure, dehydration and fatigue.

[elk]

I'm a transverse myelitis patient, who had to learn to walk again, about six years ago. One of my continuing problems is fatigue issues. And since I gave up coffee over 26 years ago, I've found green tea to be just the thing to get me to punch through my days without crashing out at odd moments during the day.

[ryanpatrick]

I’m fully addicted to coffee. I’m going to quit today. Thank you for this video.

I liked what you said about drinking organic coffee only. I switched to organic a while ago and I recently got some Non-organic Starbucks coffee and I noticed such a difference. It seriously made me angry and on edge rather than just a simple boost of energy. I imagine it’s the negative affects of all of the pesticides that were on the beans that I was in turn ingesting.

[romlyn]

One more thing to consider - what you add to your coffee - if you have a latte with vanilla syrup added or cafe mocha etc.. It is these additions that can change the healthiness of any drink, including coffee. So what the doctor states - only applies to black coffee with no additions

[tigerlion]

I have two issues with coffee though I love mines broiled over an open flame til it’s miserable.
1. Stains your teeth.
2. Dehydrates you.

[ldjt]

I don't think coffee is "one of the 5 highest foods in antioxidants today". It is however, one of the top 5 WAYS Americans get their antioxidants...because it is so frequently consumed. One of the top 5 sources today, but not one of the top 5 foods highest in antioxidants.

[southridgeapartments]

Yep, I gave up coffee and started drinking tea. My adrenal glands recovered in about two weeks and I no longer need mid-day naps.

[daniellesullivan]

Im good. I drink 1-2 cups every morning!

[dr.douggraves]

Everything in moderation; including moderation.

[jarkapilole]

OMG I've been suffering with Autoimmune Thyroid for years and not once have I heard from any of my Doctors that coffee is bad for me. I drink a ton of it, that's why this news is a shock to me. Along with Autoimmune problems I've suffered with depression my whole life. To clarify, my depression is so bad that I am on disability due to it. Coffee has been something I've clinged to that has been the only thing at times to get me out of bed on so many days. Not only does it have a comforting taste to me but it gives me the little bit of hope that maybe after I drink some I will have the energy to face the day and not go back to sleep. I've known I drink it way more then the average person and people have commented about not understanding how i can handle drinking that much of it (12 cups/day) without getting jittery. Now after watching this video I'm scared that I've destroyed my adrenals which I'm guessing would cause fatigue, which I have in abundance. Is this really a possibility? Something I've been relying on to keep me going is actually slowing me down and probably from the sounds of it even making my depression worse??? That would be for people with hormonal issues, burning out your adrenal glands as you put it (kind of like some drugs that make you high but deplete your Serotonin and then you crash is how it sounds to me), but why exactly did u so avidly also speak AGAINST coffee for Autoimmune people if it is so full of antioxidants? Could you clarify that please? I'm trying to wrap my head around this whole idea.

[LottoJackpotWinner]

Thank you for keeping your videos short, to the point, and easy to understand.

[kennethbyrd]

I switched out coffee and replaced it with four ounces of non-sweet pure 100% blueberry juice added to my daily drinking water. It speaks for itself… and my body noticed the positive change very quickly. After cutting out most sugars, I now use 100% pure organic pomegranate juice when I want something sweeter in this oh-so-toxic world.
Always 100%, unless you are giving blood.

[darlinrivas]

Hello, Dr. Ax! We are so grateful to find you, providing us healing through-out the food. Thank you and God Bless You!