Internet searches of information regarding coffee seems to show that coffee is the new wonder drug. The shear volume of research and written material is staggering—so much so that it is suspect. What follows is the result of a brief search comparing coffee health claims to research on the benefits of smoking:
1. Coffee Prevents Parkinson’s Disease. In the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, Volume 20, Supplement 1, 2010, Pages. 221–238, Abstract, a study confirms “an inverse association between caffeine intake and the risk of PD” (Parkinsons Disease).
2. Smoking Prevents Parkinson’s Disease. A March 10, 2010 article in Neurology, “Smoking Duration Intensity and Risk of Parkinson’s Disease,” describes research demonstrating that lifelong smokers were at a decreased risk for PD (Parkinsons Disease)..
3. Coffee Helps the Brain. Published Sept. 2010, in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, research shows that increased levels of coffee and tea consumption reduces risk of gliomas (a type of brain tumor).
4. Smoking Helps the Brain. A Neuron abstract, published in April 2007, finds that nicotine improves memory and improves attention.
5. Coffee Fights Disease. American Association for Cancer Research, June, 2010 reports a 39 percent decreased risk of oral and pharyngeal cancers for regular coffee drinkers.
6. Smoking Fights Disease. In March 2001, National Cancer Research Institute scientists announced that Classical Karposi’s Syndrome (a rare skin disease) risk was reduced in regular smokers, in Mediterranean areas.
7. Smoking Reduces Breast Cancer Risk for Some Women. The Journal of the National Cancer Institute published, in 1998, a study linking smoking with reduced risk of breast cancer for women with particular gene mutations.
8. Coffee Reduces Breast Cancer Risk for Some Women. A June 2010, paper cites a reduced risk of breast cancer for some women who drink boiled coffee.
9. Smoking Fights Colon Disease. Smokers are less likely to be afflicted by ulcerative colitis than non-smokers, declares a June 1999 report.
10. Coffee Fights Colon Disease. Science Daily cites a Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Nov., 2003 study describing the antioxident properties of coffee and their protective properties against colon cancer.
11. Smoking Inhibits Joint Pain. Reuters reports in July, 2007, that nicotine’s anti-inflamatory properties may slow the rate of joint damage caused by rheumatoid arthritis.
12. Coffee Inhibits Joint Pain. The Arthritis Foundation published a June, 2007 study which reveals that men consuming four or more cups of coffee a day are at significantly less risk for gout.
Coffee and Smoking and Healthy Lifestyle
Given the cited examples, unlimited coffee consumption and regular smoking might very well be part of a healthy lifestyle. However, there is no real serious attempt here, to suggest that drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes is advisable or that they are equivalent. In reading most of the above studies, conclusions are made with the proviso that further research is required or that other harms are not mitigated.
Research and Reality
This article is a statement about the nature of research. If you are motivated to look for a specific result, you are likely to find it. The tobacco companies of 25 years ago were able to demonstrate that smoking was not so very harmful. We do know now, without a doubt, that smoking is terribly damaging to our bodies. As far as coffee goes, the jury is still out; research information is inconsistent, variable, and indicates as many negative impacts as benefits.
People drink coffee because they like the taste and for the stimulant effect of caffeine, not for any nutritional value. Caffeine is usually the component, which studies find to be the most damaging. Health Canada recommends that the general population limit their caffeine intake to 400 mg (3 cups of coffee) per day to reduce harm. Coffee is no wonder drug, but it is injurious to some people and until a lot more is known, moderation of consumption is good advice.