What you should know about your cup of joe

Coffee has become a staple not just in America but around the world. But multiple studies have been released about whether or not it is good for you, each saying something different.

One study, put out by Authority Nutrition in January, gives seven reasons as to why coffee is good for you, including that it can make you smarter, help you lose weight and even drastically lower your risk of type two diabetes.

Another study, by nutritionist Mark Hyman, lists 10 reasons coffee shouldn’t be a part of your everyday diet.

And yet another study, done by the Harvard School of Public Health, says they didn’t find any relationship between coffee consumption and increased risk of death from any cause.

We spoke Thursday to Abby Douglas, a registered dietician from Synergy Health and Wellness in Bend.

“Having coffee that is loaded with added sugars, those are probably a little bit less beneficial to have on a regular basis, just because of the added sugar,” Douglas said.

On the other hand, she said, “Having extra caffeine in your system can help your energy levels and your moods. Coffee is also a vasodilator, so it expands your blood vessels, increasing the blood flow, which makes it easier to breathe — and it can improve your headaches as well.”