Caffeine, Coffee, and Health

In this volume, leading international investigators provide an objective view of the physiological and behavioral effects of coffee and its relationship to various diseases, including cancer. The book begins with a survey of coffee consumption and analyses of the composition of coffee, the metabolism of caffeine and other components of coffee, and the mechanism of action of caffeine. The contributors then review and assess the experimental, clinical, and epidemiological data on the cardiovascular effects of caffeine; its role in myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular diseases; its psychopharmacology and influence on sleep, wakefulness, and cognitive function; its reproductive effects and hazards; and its carcinogenic and mutagenic potential. A consensus emerges that the risks associated with coffee are low, particularly when it is consumed in moderation.
Full consideration is given to the complex problems of extrapolating data from in vitro and animal experiments on caffeine and interpreting results of epidemiological studies. The contributors note that interspecies differences in the kinetics of caffeine make extrapolation of animal data very difficult, that experimental studies use caffeine in higher doses than humans consume, and that epidemiological findings on coffee drinkers are often confounded by factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption. The discussions also emphasize the wide variations in the pharmacological properties of coffee prepared in different ways from different types of beans and highlight the need for further research on constituents of coffee other than caffeine.
This volume is an authoritative source of information on the health effects of caffeine and coffee, and offers important methodological guidelines to researchers attempting to assess the risks of other commonly used substances.