I know you have been waiting for me to share good news for a change, right? Well, here it is for all of you JAVA lovers! In a recent study published by the American Gastroenterological Association, coffee was found to be associated with a reduced risk of liver disease! To be more specific, “liver stiffness” (not really clear what that means, but….). At the end of the day, it didn’t matter what co-morbidities the study group had, coffee consumption appears to be a benefit to the liver!

That said, if you are literally vibrating around your office at 3:00 am, it might be time to cut back on your caffeine consumption. Sure, it makes us feel good, it tastes great, but it can also make you do stupid things really fast! It is important to know there are good things associated with caffeine intake but we can’t forget the possible negative effects as well. What?! You thought it was all good news?

Some potential negative effects of caffeine include insomnia, nervousness and restlessness, stomach irritation, nausea, increased heart rate, and respiration and in larger doses might cause headache, anxiety, agitation, and chest pain. So, there you have it, the good and the bad but the honest truth! If you have doubts about the amount of caffeine that is “safe” for you, talk to your primary care doc, be honest though, if asked about side effects, don’t deny them! Stay well, stay informed, and stay tuned!