Scientists charged with scouring the literature to study how Americans can eat healthily acknowledge that 3-5 cups of coffee a day have a place in a healthy diet, according to a US government review of ‘Dietary Guidelines for Americans.’
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) join forces every five years to revise the guidelines. They commissioned an independent panel to deliver an expert opinion on what the recommendations should be. After several meetings and drafts, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans Committee (DGAC) recently issued its final report.
Throughout the process, the National Coffee Association (NCA) has been tracking the DGAC’s deliberations and submitted formal comments to the committee, drafted with significant input by NCA’s Scientific Advisory Group. To rebut specious arguments submitted by another organization, the NCA also filed a second set of comments.
In its report, the DGAC states that 3-5 cups of coffee a day not only is “not associated with increased long-term health risks among healthy individuals,” but also cites “consistent evidence” that coffee is associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, as well as “moderate evidence” of a protective association between caffeine and risk of Parkinson’s disease.
Not surprisingly, the committee also cautions that coffee, as commonly consumed, can deliver added calories from cream, milk and added sugars, and suggests minimizing added calories. In short, the committee concludes that: “Moderate coffee consumption can be incorporated into a healthy dietary pattern, along with other healthful behaviours.”
