What are the health benefits of coffee? How can coffee help you live longer? Is there a health risk from drinking coffee? This blog post will provide you with answers to these questions and more. Honestly speaking, coffee is life!
Learning of all the benefits of coffee, as well as any potential side effects is indeed quite useful. If you’re already a coffee fanatic, you may determine the right dose; if you don’t drink coffee yet, you’ll find reasons to start.
Whether you’re about to drink your first cup or consider yourself a coffee addict, get your facts straight. This information will allow you to make the best choice possible regarding your coffee consumption. Without further delay, let’s get to it!
1. Coffee makes you Active and Energetic
Coffee elevates energy levels in people of all age groups, even if they only drink a single cup per day. According to a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, people who start their day with a cup of coffee are less likely to experience laziness and fatigue.
Coffee drinkers tend to be more productive and steadfast than those who never consume the beverage. Furthermore, data collected on participants in the study proved that 3-4 cups of coffee throughout the day improves vigorous physical activity levels by up to 90 minutes per week.
2. Coffee Prevents or Reduces Depression
Have you sipped a tall glass of iced latte on a hot sunny day or cozied up with a mug of steaming Cappuccino when it’s freezing outside? If yes, you know how amazing coffee tastes and feels on both occasions.
Coffee can be prepared so many different ways, which makes it one of the most versatile beverages. It serves as an excellent pick-me-up; so get yourself your favorite kind of coffee whenever you’re feeling down, drained, or distressed. The Mayo Clinic claims that people who drink three cups of caffeinated beverages a day are 40% less likely to develop depression.
3. Coffee Lowers Risk of Stroke
Strokes occur when blood vessels in the upper body become blocked, which stops blood from reaching the brain. Leakage or bursting of a blood vessel may lead to lethal or permanent damage. Research by Harvard Health suggests that coffee is infused with plant-based compounds called polyphenols; these polyphenols are known to decrease inflammation and promote healthy blood vessels.
People who drink 2-3 cups of coffee a day are at least 15% less susceptible to developing clogged vessels and high blood pressure. The anti-inflammatory properties of coffee also prevent heart disease and type 2 diabetes – two health conditions associated with high cholesterol levels.
4. Coffee Improves Cognitive Function
Caffeine in coffee has no direct impact on learning and memory; nonetheless, it may facilitate tasks and performances related to memory. Most studies on caffeine address improvement in reaction time, thereby calling it a mild stimulant. Caffeine plus hundreds of other bioactive compounds in coffee can prevent cognitive decline, depending on your overall health and daily dosage.
Coffee is not a pure cognitive enhancer – it affects alertness, mood, and concentration, which significantly contribute to improving cognitive function. Drinking a few cups of coffee everyday may delay progress or development of mental decline, thereby reducing the risk of mental illnesses like Alzheimer’s.
5. Coffee may prevent Cancer
There are several scientific research publications that link the prevention of cancer with drinking moderate amounts of coffee. Coffee drinkers are less likely to suffer liver cancer, endometrial cancer, skin cancer, and breast cancer.
Two compounds in coffee, namely kahweol and cafestol, inhibit the growth of prostate and kidney cancer cells. Therefore, coffee drinkers have a 20% reduced risk for colorectal or bowel cancer. Studies have also shown that people who drink at least two cups of coffee per day are less likely to develop melanoma than those who don’t drink any.
6. Coffee helps fight Cavities
Drinking a cup of coffee can prevent cavities by neutralizing the acid in your mouth. People who consume an average of three cups of black coffee a day are less likely to get cavities than those who never drink it. However, this theory only works when coffee is consumed without additives, i.e. adding sugar, cream, milk, or other ingredients will not give the same results.
Instant coffee fends off the bacteria that cause tooth decay. Roasted coffee develops anti-adhesive properties, which prevent harmful substances from sticking to your teeth.
7. Coffee may facilitate Weight Loss
Unless you add sweeteners to your coffee, consuming a cup or two in the morning may help you shed weight. Coffee drinkers are about 20% more likely to maintain weight after going on a diet or completing a fitness program. The weight loss facilitation is mainly attributed to caffeine’s role as an appetite suppressor and metabolic activity enhancer.
Some studies show that coffee may alter fat storage, accelerate digestion, and support gut health – these effects altogether make weight management easier. Not to mention, coffee drinkers are more likely to achieve recommended levels of physical activity in a day, so the probability of gaining weight is greatly reduced.
8. Coffee reduces risk of Parkinson’s disease
Health experts say that drinking 3-5 cups of coffee a day can reduce your risk for Parkinson’s disease by 50%. The abundance of antioxidants in coffee can protect brain cells from damage and death.
Caffeine combined with EHT and phenylindane prevents the formation of toxic protein aggregates associated with the development of Parkinson’s. The neuroprotective aspects of coffee delay or suppress the degeneration of neurons, and thereby equip you with better body balance and coordination.
9. Coffee eases Pain and Inflammation
If you are seeking immediate relief from pain and inflammation, coffee can help. When your body experiences an injury or illness, it creates a chemical called cytokines. These cytokines cause inflammation in the area which can lead to pain and swelling.
Studies have shown that drinking coffee reduces inflammation by 10% or more. This may not seem like a lot in theory, but even a slight decline in discomfort can go a long way toward making us feel better.
Elijah Cole is the founder of The Witty Minds blog and a professional content creator. His expertise lies in creative writing and lifestyle blogging. At Witty Minds, he is the lead writer, editor, and publisher of all original content.