A study in the journal Frontiers of Nutrition revealed that the risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) increases by 6% with every cup of caffeinated coffee that you drink per day. With that being said, evidence from around the world also shows that various properties in coffee can reduce pain, inflammation, and even the risk of gout.
If you are a coffee drinker with arthritis, you will need to weigh these pros and cons, which can vary depending on the type of arthritis you have, the type of coffee you drink, and how many cups you drink per day.
This article explains the health implications of coffee, its risks and benefits for arthritis, how much you should drink, and more.
How Coffee Affects Arthritis
There are both pros and cons to drinking coffee for arthritis symptoms. For some types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, it could increase your risk of developing the disease. For other types, like gout (a form of inflammatory arthritis) it seems to be protective.
Gout
Research shows that coffee consumption can help reduce uric acid levels, a waste product found in the blood. High serum uric acid levels are associated with an increased number of gout flares. This reduction occurred in both caffeinated and decaf coffee. Therefore, consuming coffee in moderation may benefit individuals with gout.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Coffee contains antioxidants and other active compounds that protect the cells in your body from inflammation and tissue damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals play a key role in the development of numerous inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis.
In theory, drinking lots of coffee could prevent rheumatoid arthritis or relieve pre-existing arthritis symptoms like joint pain. But it's not that simple.
Some studies have found no increased association between caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee and the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. However, a couple of studies have found a higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis from drinking decaffeinated coffee but not caffeinated coffee.
Another study found that coffee consumption may increase the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis because it was associated with higher levels of rheumatoid factor (an autoantibody formed in response to rheumatoid arthritis).
Osteoarthritis
Additionally, caffeine intake has been found to negatively affect the growth of cartilage and bone, which could increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis. A study published in 2020 recommends avoiding or limiting caffeine intake to prevent osteoarthritis.
Research regarding coffee and arthritis doesn't provide a clear picture. That's because certain things like the type of arthritis, the amount of coffee, and whether it is decaffeinated all play a role in how coffee affects your joint health.
Coffee and Arthritis Medications
Coffee intake isn’t contraindicated when taking arthritis medications. However, it could influence how you feel while taking those medications.
Prednisone
Insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep) is a common side effect of prednisone. Therefore, it's vital to consider how other stimulants, like caffeine or nicotine, can contribute to insomnia and make falling asleep more difficult.
Methotrexate
Methotrexateis adisease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) that treats some forms of arthritis. Unfortunately, intolerance to methotrexate (the inability to tolerate side effects) is one of the primary reasons for noncompliance with this medication. But, some research indicates that caffeine may reduce methotrexate intolerance.
In a randomized controlled trial, researchers assessed how caffeine affected methotrexate intolerance. The study found that caffeine decreases the effectiveness of methotrexate slightly and thereby helps decrease the intolerance symptoms to the medication.
If you are experiencing intolerance to methotrexate, be sure to discuss your symptoms with your healthcare provider.
Other Health Benefits
Coffee contains a variety of nutrients and is a stimulant. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system to increase alertness, memory, concentration, and physical performance.
When consumed by itself, coffee is a low-calorie beverage with fewer than five calories per 8-ounce cup. In addition to caffeine, coffee also provides:
- Polyphenols (an antioxidant)
- Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
- Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
- Manganese
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Niacin (vitamin B3)
As a stimulant, coffee, when consumed in moderation, has multiple benefits for your health, including:
- Improving cognitive performance
- Boosting metabolism
- Assisting with weight loss
- Increasing alertness
- Decreasing fatigue
- Helping with physical performance during exercise
- Decreasing cardiovascular disease risk
What About Decaf?
Even without caffeine, decaffeinated coffee retains many of the other nutrition benefits associated with coffee, such as polyphenols' antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Risks and Side Effects
While there are benefits to caffeine, there are also risks associated with it. High doses of caffeine cause side effects like:
- Rapid heart rate
- Irregular heart rate
- Higher blood pressure
- Increased anxiety
- Difficulty sleeping
- Digestive issues
Caffeine also acts as a mild diuretic, meaning it stimulates salt and water secretion through urine, which could lead to mild dehydration.
While coffee in moderation has some health benefits, it can cause unwanted side effects and risks when consumed in excess. Caffeine intake over 400 milligrams per day could lead to:
- Elevated heart rate
- Mild dehydration
- Jittery feeling
- Increased risk for some diseases
- Caffeine withdrawal (for example, headaches, fatigue, and poor concentration)
In addition, adding creamer, sugar, or other sweeteners increases health risks. For example, added calories and sugar could cause excess weight and increase your risk of developing diabetes.
How Much Coffee Is OK?
Research indicates that a safe amount of daily caffeine intake is about 400 milligrams or about four 8-ounce cups of coffee per day. When adding up your total caffeine, remember to include other sources of caffeine, including espresso, soft drinks, energy drinks, black or green tea, energy shots, and chocolate.
Summary
Coffee has health benefits and risks. When it comes to arthritis, the same is true. Coffee's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may benefit some forms of arthritis, like gout. On the other hand, some research shows that coffee can increase the risk of developing certain forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. As with most things, moderation is key.
