A journey into the depths of their relationship. Does regular coffee consumption have any effect on your joints?
ARTHROSIS vs. ARTHRITIS
First of all, let's briefly digress from the main topic for an explanation of the terms. Many people do not distinguish arthritis from arthritis, but they are two different diagnoses. Although the manifestations of both diseases are similar and they are problems affecting joints, bones and ligaments, the causes are different. Therapy, reactions to certain substances and drug interactions will also differ.
In the case of arthrosis, the problems are caused by overweight (or obesity), overuse of the area or post-traumatic conditions. It may be a concomitant of certain diseases (such as diabetes) and heredity may also play a role. Arthrosis leads to degenerative joint changes.
Arthritis - as the name suggests - means inflammation of the joints. It may or may not be caused by an infection (viral or bacterial); non-infectious arthritis is caused, for example, by elevated levels of uric acid in the blood, or it may be an autoimmune disease (rheumatoid arthritis), where the body itself attacks its own tissue and produces antibodies. The result is swelling, stiffness and pain in the joint.
I HAVE ARTHROSIS, CAN I DRINK COFFEE?
In appropriate doses, yes! This answer will probably make coffee lovers happy and calm. In any case, the verdict should come from the attending physician, because only he or she will take into account the individual condition of the patient.
Thanks to studies, we know that coffee in higher doses (more than 4 cups per day) can inhibit the regenerative processes taking place in bones and cartilage. This results in a higher risk of developing the disease in healthy people, or less chance of improvement in treated patients.
But you should also pay attention to whether the medication you are taking for your ailments gets along with coffee. Some drugs have side effects such as insomnia or sleep disturbances, and these can be exacerbated by caffeine consumption in the evening.
YOU SHOULD NOT GIVE COFFEE WITH BOHEM, BUT...
...you should watch the amount you consume. As with osteoporosis, those who make do with two or three cups of coffee a day don't have to give up their favourite drink in most cases.
National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI / NIH)
Caffeine Consumption and Joint Health: A Systematic Review
Arthritis Foundation
Best Beverages for Arthritis: Benefits and Risks of Coffee
Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Association Between Coffee Consumption and Risk of Osteoarthritis
Harvard Health Publishing
The Latest Scoop on Coffee and Chronic Inflammatory Diseases
