It is the closest approach to a panacea that anyone has ever seen. Much of coffee's beneficial benefits have been attributed to its anti-inflammatory characteristics. However, according to one study, coffee may not be as anti-inflammatory as we always assumed.
Researchers from the University of the Balearic Islands in Palma, Spain, set out to investigate how frequent coffee use, exercise levels, and body fat formation influenced inflammation in the body, according to Nutra Ingredients. Researchers analysed the "plasma concentrations of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers" in 244 individuals (112 men and 132 women) between the ages of 18 and 55 for their study, which was published in the journal Nutrients. Researchers were able to detect a trend in inflammatory markers by measuring participants' height, weight, and body composition and cross-referencing them with people' self-reported information on coffee use, food, exercise levels, and sitting time.
Most significantly, they discovered a connection between "low caffeine intake" and somewhat lower levels of the pro-inflammation marker C-reactive protein. In short, caffeine has just a little anti-inflammatory impact when measured in plasma. When looking at body fat percentage, much stronger associations were discovered, with the higher the percentage, the higher the number of CRP markers. According to Nutra Ingredients, the "clearest link" was found between visceral fat, sitting time, and CRP. While coffee is important, physical activity and healthy body fat levels play far more important roles in bodily inflammation or lack thereof.
Nonetheless, the good news for coffee users is that, while ostensibly anti-inflammatory, coffee gives you the energy to get up and move. It's almost like an anti-inflammatory precursor, which is still OK in my book.
