One of the most widely consumed drinks. There has always been controversy about the benefits and harms of coffee. Around 11,000 tons of coffee are produced and consumed globally every year. Certain substances in coffee, such as caffeine and chlorogenic acid, have psychoactive and metabolic effects.

Recent studies suggest that coffee enhances the transition to a state of alertness, predisposition to carry out tasks, although the impact on attention, concentration and executive functions is more controversial, i.e. it may be linked to expectations and the experience of drinking coffee, so in a way there may be some placebo effect on these dimensions.

Several studies suggest that drinking 3-4 cups of coffee a day is associated with cardioprotective effects.

Coffee has been consistently shown to be associated with a lower risk of Parkinson's disease.

The data on whether it is associated with a lower risk of dementia is controversial; one study suggested that drinking 6 or more cups a day could increase the risk of dementia, although this association was not observed in other doses, and it seems that drinking one cup is protective, which suggests some caution in the amount of coffee consumed.

Studies on the impact of coffee on various types of cancer continue, but without very conclusive or consistent results, although they seem to be in favor (or at least neutral) of moderate coffee consumption.

Coffee is associated with an increase in cholesterol levels, which is also biologically plausible. Interestingly, however, this association was not observed among consumers of filtered or instant coffee.

So this is good news from the world of health for coffee lovers.

And according to one study, the protective effects of coffee may be greater if consumed at lunchtime.

BY "LIGIA BARROS"