Can coffee cause cancer?
(PART 5) (FOREWORD: this is our continuation of our reply to Benjie of Catalunan Pequeno regarding his anxiety over some bad news about coffee.) Dear Benjie of Catalunan Pequeno,
Alright, let’s get moving. Coffee undoubtedly has its perks and irks. But, there is always a key to get everything in tune and finely working. That’s moderation. Remember that in anything you do, do it moderately.
Caffeine has risks, if you get to drink them in large amounts or about four cups of coffee or more in a day. If you do, you just don’t get those jitters, you can also get headaches, upset stomach, and insomnia. More likely than not, you will also be getting back and forth to the toilet. So, it’s really your choice.
But, here’s some good news. Most people can tolerate moderate amounts of caffeine without getting those side effects I have just listed. I hope you are one of them. But, the problem is, there are about 12% to 18% of the population who have genes that slowly metabolizes caffeine or the “slow metabolizers”. And if you are one of then, a single cup can give you those symptoms similar to those most people get after drinking coffee in excess. Well, for myself, I can only tolerate a cup of coffee a day – more than this, everything will go astray. I am really one of those slow metabolizers and I get all the side effects in the world. I hope you are not one of us.
Of course, you can get yourself for some genetic testing to know if you are a slow metabolizer or not. But, a simpler and cheaper way is by sipping a 12 ounce cup of coffee for an hour. If you get headache, nausea, abnormal heartbeat, or anxiety after, you have your answer.
Pregnant women should also be cautious about the number of caffeinated beverages, coffee or other beverages like tea or soda. They should limit their caffeine intake to less than 200 milligrams a day, or about eight to 12 ounces of coffee a day. And that’s it. Remember that it is the caffeine in those drinks that give the associated risks in pregnant women.
We are losing again space for now, let me continue this in my next issue. Until then again! Dr. Fritz (Dr. Fritz Legarde Espedilla is an aesthetic dermatologist and surgeon and a clinical sexologist. She is also trained in hypnotherapy and Medical Acupuncture. She has been in the broadcast media for more than a decade and has written a book based on her 15 year stint with her radio program, “Healthy is Sexy Secrets ni Dr. Fritz.” She is also a faculty in a College of Pharmacy. For your questions, you may send them to Dear Dr. Fritz, c/o Sunstar-Davao Publishing Inc., Ebro-Pelayo Building, Jacinto St., Davao City, (former Department of Foreign Affairs office), across Ateneo de Davao University and beside Holy Child School of Davao, or you e-mail them to dokfritz@yahoo.com. If you don’t wish your letter to be published, we regret that we can not answer them. Thank you for your understanding.)