Coffee: Food or Medicine?

The origin and popularity of coffee

Coffee is a drink made from ground coffee beans. It has the effects of refreshing the mind, increasing concentration and improving mood. Coffee originated in Africa and is said to have been discovered in the 9th century AD. Over time, coffee has gradually spread to all parts of the world and has become an indispensable part of many people's daily lives.

Food or medicine?

There is widespread debate over whether coffee is a food or a drug. Some people believe that coffee should be classified as a food because it is primarily used as a beverage and is often enjoyed with other foods. On the other hand, some people believe that coffee has medicinal properties because it contains chemicals that can stimulate the central nervous system.

Understanding Food Definitions

First we need to understand what food is. According to the definition of the International Food Code developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), food refers to any substance consumed by humans, including beverages. According to this definition, coffee can be classified as food.

Active ingredients in coffee

However, coffee contains some active ingredients with pharmacological effects. The most famous is caffeine, which is a stimulant and can improve attention and alertness. In addition, coffee also contains a variety of antioxidants and other chemicals, such as phenols, polysaccharides, amino acids, etc.

Drug characteristics and efficacy

Drugs are usually used to treat or prevent diseases and are taken under the supervision of a doctor. In contrast, although coffee has certain physiological effects and health benefits (such as improved cognitive function and reduced risk of cancer and heart disease), it is not considered a drug that specifically treats specific health problems.

National approach to classification issues

Different countries also have different approaches to whether coffee is classified as a food or a drug. In most countries, coffee is considered a food and is regulated by food safety regulations. However, in some countries, such as Japan and South Korea, beverages with higher caffeine content are classified as drugs and are subject to drug management regulations.

My personal opinion on coffee classification

Opinions vary on whether coffee should be classified as a food or a drug. Some believe that because coffee is primarily used as a beverage and is often enjoyed with other foods, it should be considered a food. Others believe that because coffee contains chemical components that have stimulant and other physiological effects, it is closer to a drug.

in conclusion

In summary, although there is controversy over whether coffee should be classified as a food or a drug, based on the definitions established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization and the way most countries treat this issue, we can conclude that despite having certain active ingredients and physiological effects, coffee is closer to a food than a drug.