Is Coffee Good for Your Health? Historical Myths and Real Benefits

Ever wonder if your morning coffee is actually doing your body any good—or if centuries of debate have left us with more folklore than facts? For hundreds of years, doctors, monarchs, and even composers argued over whether coffee heals, harms, or just makes life more interesting. Let’s dig into the strange medical history behind your daily brew.

Quick Answer: Historically, coffee was claimed to treat everything from poor digestion to ‘excess bile,’ though none of those medical claims were scientifically proven. By the 18th century, it was loosely agreed that coffee had ‘general health benefits,’ especially for those with sluggish digestion or low energy—though modern science now tells a more nuanced story.

The Four Humors, Coffee, and Early Medical Theories

In the early 1600s, European medicine was still dominated by the ancient Greek theory of the four humors: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. Health depended on the balance of these fluids, each thought to have properties like heat, cold, moisture, and dryness. Natural substances—including coffee—were shoehorned into this system despite nobody really understanding how coffee worked physiologically.

Some claimed coffee was 'cooling,' others 'warming.' A few speculated that roasting made blood thicker, or that it thinned bile and calmed the nerves. There was no agreement, only competing theories and mutual accusations. Eventually, without solid evidence, the medical field informally settled on a convenient compromise: coffee was officially deemed beneficial to health—especially for correcting all manner of fluid imbalances. That ruling helped coffee gain social acceptance, especially once its taste and stimulation became widely appreciated.

Coffee Becomes a Daily Stimulant in the 18th Century

As coffee prices dropped in the 1700s, more people could afford it. It became a breakfast and leisure drink, replacing beer in many households, even among the non-elite. Doctors praised it for easing stomach bloating and supporting liver and gallbladder function. People also noticed its ability to sharpen focus—though tastes had to adjust to its bitterness.

But misunderstandings persisted. Like other exotic imports from colonies and the East, coffee was either romanticized or feared. Some physicians claimed it could cure nearly anything, while others warned vaguely of unknown dangers. The lack of clarity didn’t stop anyone from forming strong opinions—or composing music about it.

Coffee in Pop Culture and Royal Experiments

Johann Sebastian Bach’s Coffee Cantata humorously depicts a father unable to stop his coffee-loving daughter from drinking her daily cups. “As cats chase mice, everyone must have coffee,” sing the finale trio. Meanwhile, a lesser-known composer, Carl Gottlieb Hering, wrote a Coffee Canon with movements in C major, A minor, F minor, and E minor—spelling out “C-A-F-F-E-E.” He even added a cheeky note: “Don’t drink so much coffee!”

Then there’s King Gustav III of Sweden (1746–1792), who was convinced coffee was poisonous. To prove it, he arranged an experiment with two condemned prisoners—one drinking coffee, the other tea—under a royal physician’s observation. Both survived for years, eventually earning their freedom, much to the envy of fellow inmates. Neither outcome settled the debate, but it did add drama to coffee’s contested reputation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did 17th-century doctors believe coffee could balance the body’s humors?

Yes, some tried to fit coffee into the four humors theory—claiming it was cooling or warming, or affected bile and blood viscosity—but there was no scientific basis, and experts disagreed wildly. Eventually, they informally agreed coffee helped with ‘fluid imbalance’ issues, which helped its social acceptance.

What health benefits did 18th-century doctors claim for coffee?

They said it aided digestion, reduced bloating, supported liver and gallbladder health, and increased alertness. It became a common replacement for beer in the morning or during downtime, even among non-wealthy households.

Was there ever a real experiment to test if coffee is poisonous?

Yes, in the late 18th century, Swedish King Gustav III conducted an informal test where two prisoners drank coffee and tea daily under observation. Both lived for years and were eventually freed, but the experiment proved nothing conclusive about coffee’s toxicity.

Why did composers write music about coffee?

Coffee was a cultural phenomenon, inspiring works like Bach’s Coffee Cantata, which comically portrays a coffee-obsessed girl, and Hering’s Coffee Canon, which musically spells “C-A-F-F-E-E” and jokes about overconsumption.

Did people in the 1700s understand how coffee affected their bodies?

Not really. While they noticed increased wakefulness and digestive effects, the actual mechanisms were unknown. Many explanations relied on outdated theories like the four humors or speculative ideas about roast properties.

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