We all know that the caffeine in coffee is a stimulant, which is a popular reason why many of us reach for a cup of java first thing in the morning. Alertness aside, research has been brewing that drinking coffee may actually be good for your health. Studies have shown that moderate coffee consumption does not increase the risk of heart disease or high blood pressure and that it may actually help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes,depression, and Parkinson's disease.
The Bad:
According to the (ADA), consumptions of high amounts of caffeine by women has been associated with not only delayed conception and miscarriages but also low birth weight babies. Because of these reasons, the ADA's current position is for pregnant women to keep their daily caffeine consumption to no more than 300 milligrams daily from all sources. While this may seem like a robust amount, keep in mind that a 16-ounce mug of coffee contains more than half that amount, or about 190 milligrams of caffeine. In addition to coffee, caffeine is also found in some sodas, energy drinks, chocolate, and tea.
The Ugly:
While a cup (8 oz) of brewed coffee weighs in at a mere 5 calories, if you order a hefty size coffee with whole milk or cream, a sweetened flavoring, and topped with whipped cream, the calories could get, well, ugly.
