Coffee has become a beloved beverage in modern life, especially for many office workers who rely on it as a daily "life-sustaining tool."

Numerous studies have shown that moderate coffee consumption offers various health benefits, such as boosting alertness, reducing fatigue, and preventing type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.

Recently, a research team from Soochow University found that drinking coffee can even mitigate the health risks associated with prolonged sitting—individuals who sit for over six hours daily without coffee have a 1.58 times higher mortality risk than those who sit less than six hours and drink coffee. Among non-coffee drinkers, the longer the sitting time, the higher the mortality risk.

However, coffee is not suitable for everyone. Four groups of people need to be particularly cautious and should not blindly consume coffee.

People with Poor Sleep Quality

Caffeine, a key component in coffee, significantly enhances alertness by competing with adenosine, thereby suppressing fatigue and sleep signals.

Many office workers depend on coffee to stay awake. However, different individuals have varying tolerances to caffeine. For those who already suffer from insomnia or sleep disorders, it is advisable to reduce or avoid coffee intake to prevent further sleep disturbances.

People with Arrhythmia

An increased heart rate after drinking coffee is a common occurrence. However, individuals with arrhythmia should exercise extra caution. Although some studies suggest that arrhythmia patients can safely consume up to 400 milligrams of caffeine daily, and it may even offer protective effects, those with malignant arrhythmia or heightened sensitivity to caffeine should still avoid caffeine intake.

People with Gastric Issues

Caffeine and other compounds in coffee can stimulate gastric acid secretion. For people with normal gastric function, moderate coffee consumption typically does not cause significant adverse effects. However, for those with gastric ulcers, excessive stomach acid, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the stimulating effects of coffee can exacerbate their conditions.

For instance, the gastric mucosa of individuals with gastric ulcers is already compromised, and excessive stomach acid can further erode the stomach lining, worsening the ulcers. Similarly, patients with excessive stomach acid or GERD may experience increased discomfort, such as heartburn, acid reflux, and nausea after drinking coffee. This is because caffeine can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid to more easily flow back into the esophagus, causing discomfort.

Therefore, it is recommended that individuals with these gastric issues limit their coffee intake or opt for decaffeinated coffee, preferably consumed after meals to reduce gastric irritation. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and dietary habits is also crucial for gastric health.

People with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

For individuals with IBS, dietary management is key to alleviating symptoms, and caffeine intake requires special attention. Caffeine not only stimulates the central nervous system but also affects the function of the digestive system, which can exacerbate discomfort for IBS patients.

How Coffee Affects IBS

1. Increased Gastric Acid Secretion: Caffeine stimulates the secretion of stomach acid, which can lead to gastric discomfort and even cause symptoms like abdominal pain and heartburn.

2. Increased Cholecystokinin Secretion: Coffee also promotes the secretion of cholecystokinin, a hormone that causes gallbladder contraction and accelerates gastrointestinal motility. For IBS patients, especially those with diarrhea-predominant symptoms, this can increase the frequency of diarrhea or worsen symptoms.

3. Worsened Diarrhea or Gastrointestinal Discomfort: For IBS patients, these effects of coffee can make their already sensitive gastrointestinal tract even more uncomfortable, leading to diarrhea, abdominal pain, or other digestive issues.

Although coffee has health benefits, it should be consumed in moderation. The "Scientific Consensus on Coffee and Health" recommends that the daily caffeine intake for an average adult should be controlled within 400 milligrams. For the four groups of people mentioned, as well as those sensitive to caffeine, it is important to carefully choose their coffee intake based on their individual conditions.