Coffee: Is It a Friend or a Foe?

Abstract

Coffee is not only one of the most consumed drinks in the world, it is also one of the most addicting. Coffee is complex—it is made up of many substances. One of coffee’s components is of special interest to the scientific community: caffeine. Caffeine has several important effects on the body, and these effects differ whether caffeine is taken once in a while or regularly. Also, it has been shown in both animal studies and in humans that, if caffeine is consumed regularly, it might affect several diseases, including diseases of the heart and metabolism.