I gave up grains, sugar, legumes, beer, whiskey, and dairy. I drink 2 regular sized cups of coffee a day and 2 glasses of red wine a night. I fully accept any health risks that might be posed by these two daily allowances. I should say, I don't really feel like I "need" the coffee for energy, but really enjoy the morning routine, the taste, and comfort. Sadly, I need the wine.

EDIT: Damn it. Gave up caffeine for a few weeks and almost had a panic attack when I re-introduced a very small amount. I was down to one small cup per day and didn't think it would matter, but I am sleeping better and feeling much less anxious without it. Gave up wine (except in social situations, maybe once a week) and now feel pretty horrible if I have more than a glass of it at a time. Not missing it as much as I thought I would. Actually, the zealousness with which I talked about wine on this forum led me to the experiment. But, again, damn it.

Because we're addicts. Duh.

Coffee

(Note: these are not absolutes, but they are found in many studies)

Pros

• Protection against cancer
• Improved insulin sensitivity
• Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes
• Reduced risk of heart disease
• Reduced risk of gout
• Reduced risk of gallstone disease
• Reduced oxidative stress
• Reduced inflammation
• Better oral health
• Better mental health
• Better liver health
• Before high-intensity exercise = boost in performance

Cons

• Reduces body's ability to metabolize calcium
• Bad for bone health
• Higher risk of osteoporosis
• Higher risk of birth defects
• Psychologically unhealthy if coffee is a need
• More than 4-5 cups/day = higher risk of unhealthful side effects
• Coffee drunk after 5pm = higher risk of impairing ability to sleep

By: http://primalmd.tumblr.com/post/6397186790/evidence-based-practice-coffee

I drink it because I love it. Its silky smooth brownness makes the day worth living. I guess you could live without it, but why would you want to?

Coffee is fine in the right context. Some people who shouldn't drink it drink it. Some people who should drink it don't. It's a powerful digestive aid. It's high in antioxidants and contains a decent dosage of magnesium. It helps chelate typically harmful minerals such as iron. It helps lower uric acid levels. Be careful with the timing and dosage of consumption. It is best taken with a meal or before a workout. Finding the right dose is going to be very individual specific. Supplementation with sea salt or calcium may be indicated for some people who drink coffee. . . it's not as easy as coffee is bad.

I like drinking coffee and always have. If someone has a problem with that, then they can BLANKETY BLANK BLANK.

It's an aquired taste for sure but its cheaper than prozac ;)

It's cold in my office at work. I blame HVAC for my coffee consumption.

It's just sooooooo good!!!

Google "health benefits of coffee" and you'll find plenty of reading to keep you busy. I particularly liked this one: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/31/coffee-health-benefits_n_1064577.html Just drink in moderation, if you like it. Two cups a day is plenty. A cup of decaf gives me something to "eat" during my later afternoon binge-danger period.

I hate coffee!!! I hate it with passion! I bought my mom a jar (for Christmas) and it was on a shelf for over a month. Now the whole shelf and all the other things stink like hell! I am getting nauseous just from the smell. I washed everything three times already and the smell still does not come off.

The last time I drank coffee around ten years ago. I had such a severe indigestion - I was in pain for hours.

I don't even understand - what do people get from it? My mom says it raises her blood pressure. But is it natural? Or is it the taste? I remember it tasted bitter and a little on a sour side. Unless you put tons of sugar and a gallon of cream in it, it does not even taste good. I would rather have cream and sugar alone.

To answer your question I know for sure (I have read somewhere but forgot where) that drinking (not sure how many) cups of coffee per day delays the onset of dementia by 5 (not sure) years. And also, women who drank coffee were less depressed (http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/26/coffee-drinking-linked-to-less-depression-in-women/) which does not help me much because I am NEVER depressed. I bet drinking coffee will make me depressed.

Anyway, coffee is a stimulant. So is physical activity, sex, chocolate and drugs. Replacement for cheap thrills?

Via Martin Berkhan's twitter:

Coffee improves metabolic health

Caffeine makes exercise more enjoyable

Long-term coffee consumption has beneficial metabolic effects

I'd rather get my energy from coffee rather than a stack of six-pancakes and maple(corn)syrup every morning.

Low salt diet => feel weak => drink Coffee for energy. Low carb diet => feel weak => drink Coffee for energy.

For me, coffee is just the mechanism to get a TON of fat in. I'd say many on here do some form of Bulletproof Coffee which can include the likes of grass-fed butter, coconut oil, MCT oil, coconut milk, whole heavy cream, etc.

I'm too lazy to find links but I think it's pretty well-documented that a cup of coffee or two can be beneficial. I usually do 24 oz a day but with a bolus dose of these fats (usually 40-50 grams).

While I'm sure I respond somewhat to the caffeine, I believe the benefits from the fat added is what really makes it beneficial.

IMO, the dangers of coffee come when people are adding a ton of sugar/chemicals/insert any type of crappy dairy (skim milk, low-fat milk, soy milk, etc...) and consuming it in excess, throughout the day.

Because I want my AM vice and my PM vice. Coffee and Alcohol, respectively. I have enough modern crap that I want a little modern relief. Most days, I'm happy if I see the sun for 15 minutes. But I got to bring home the nitrate free bacon....

On a tangent... I know animals will eat fermented fruit. Do other animals eat coffee beans or other caffeinated products?

I want to stop my coffee habit - I've read it can decrease insulin sensitivity and work against what you're trying to achieve with a Paleo diet. Though I agree that if you are eating the traditional SAD there are plenty of other things to give up first!

Caffeine may not be good for those with stressed adrenal glands, which is what produces adrenaline (not the thyroid).

A cup of coffee a day may even have health benefits for most people, not health risks.

Every now and then... I get a really delicious cup of coffee. I doesn't happen every time. Sometimes it's just meh and I don't even drink half. But sometimes... it taste like heaven. And oh man... the aroma of ground up coffee beans... mmmmmm.

Related thread:

http://paleohacks.com/questions/116223/avoid-coffee-if-gluten-intolerant

So is coffee paleo?

First of all, we love it because we have acquired a taste for it, and we find it DELICIOUS AND INVIGORATING! Secondly, there are 100's of studies that shine a positive light on the stuff, e.g. Highly anti-oxidative, reduced chance of stroke, diabetes, arrhythmia, promotes lipolysis....

So, go brew a good cup 'o Joe

1) Habit

I've narrowed my beverages down to water, coffee, and occasional unsweetened tea (only at restaurants). My everyday rhythms at times just guide me towards a cup of coffee.

2) Confusion

Is coffee good for me or bad for me? There's so much conflicting research, I just don't know. Consequently, I just can't get revved up mentally to eliminate it "because it's bad for me" like I could with soft drinks. (BTW, I drink coffee black, so the question of dairy and sugar doesn't come into play.)

Its not the coffee thats the problem,its the milk and sugar most on here put in it. I doubt they will admit that though. Im fortunate not to need coffee and only ever have it when on a long fast and black.

I don't personally drink coffee as I have no need, the only time I drank coffee was when I was 15 and liked to do dumb stuff, and took my first swig of coffee in a takaway cup. To mimic those adding sugar to their coffee (and as an excuse to OD on sugar) I added 1/4 cup of sugar to the coffee. Boy did it give me the RUSHES! Although the second cup was too much for me to handle and had to dump it out. From then and on, no more coffee for me.