For many individuals, drinking coffee is more about staying alert – it’s also something that they enjoy doing. According to a recent survey, roughly 43-percent of Americans said that they drink coffee because they like the flavor.
Thankfully, coffee isn’t just tasty – it’s also good for you. So, while it might be considered a vice by some, drinking a couple of cups a day can actually help your health. With that in mind, we wanted to dedicate this article to all of the various ways that coffee is beneficial. As if you needed another reason to drink it.
Coffee Sharpens the Mind
Improves Short-Term Memory
This health nugget comes to us courtesy of scientists in Austria. A study found that those who ingested coffee before doing a memory test were able to recall images and words better and develop faster reaction times. How did the researchers verify these findings? By hooking up the test group and measuring what is called functional magnetic resonance imagery (fMRI).
Because there’s just the one major study, it’s too soon to tell how much of an effect coffee has on memory, or how long the effects will last. However, if you’re the kind of person who drinks a cup just before taking a test, you might be doing yourself a favor without realizing it.
Helps Stave Off Alzheimer’s
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, roughly five million Americans of all ages have some form of the disease. It’s a crippling condition that can wreak havoc on the mind and bring pain to loved ones.
A recent study in Finland shows that coffee that can have a significant impact on preventing Alzheimer’s – up to 65 percent for those around 35 or older. While more research has to be done, it looks like the caffeine in coffee can help reduce the number of beta-amyloid plaque in the brain. Since this plaque is a substantial contributor to Alzheimer’s, having less of it means you’re less susceptible to the disease.
Curbs Depression
One of the unfortunate side effects of living in modern society is that depression rates are on the rise. In fact, the World Health Organization lists depression as the most significant cause of disability worldwide, with over 264 million individuals experiencing some form of it around the globe.
Interestingly, drinking coffee regularly seems to have a positive effect on the brain. According to multiple studies, heavy coffee consumers have around a 20-percent lower risk of developing depression. So far, the correlation is unclear, and correlation doesn’t always equal causation. However, since we’ve seen that caffeine can affect brain functions, it makes sense for the two things to be related.
Coffee Wards off Diseases and Health Problems
Thankfully, drinking coffee seems to help build a defensive shield around your internal organs. What’s vital to note here, however, is that coffee consumption can’t cure anything – it will just help protect your body against these diseases. As they say, the best offense is a good defense.
Protects Against Heart Disease
When talking about the health benefits of food, it’s always good to look at studies from around the world. Fortunately, with coffee and heart disease, we have a lot of data from which to draw our conclusion. One study in Korea showed that moderate coffee drinkers (between 3-5 cups a day) had a lower risk of developing heart problems.
Another study in Brazil went a step further, illustrating that coffee can help reduce calcification of the arteries. In 2019, researchers were able to clarify that the lack of hardening of the arterial lining was true for all coffee drinkers, even those who drank excessively (up to 25 cups per day).
Finally, a Dutch study that looked at over 37,000 people over 13 years concluded that moderate coffee drinkers had a 20-percent lower risk of heart disease. No matter which way you look at it, coffee helps strengthen your heart and circulatory system.
Reduces the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
These days, more and more adults and children are developing diabetes. According to the CDC, over 34 million Americans have the disease, with the vast majority (around 95-percent) developing Type 2 diabetes. Diet and a lack of exercise are usually to blame, but drinking coffee can help keep the disease at bay. Keep in mind, though, that reduced risk isn’t the same as no risk. If you really want to avoid diabetes, we highly recommend getting more active and adjusting your diet. No amount of coffee can undo years of a harmful diet.
What is impressive, however, is that the benefits of coffee against diabetes are cumulative, but you do have to drink it regularly. Studies have shown that one’s risk lowers by up to nine percent per cup – the more you drink in a day, the lower your risk. However, it’s not always feasible to drink six cups daily, so keep that in mind.
Based on the evidence, it looks like coffee helps your body manage its insulin levels more efficiently, as well as strengthen your internal tissues. Also, caffeine works well as an anti-inflammatory, which helps prevent a wide array of diseases, including diabetes.
Lowers the Chance of Developing Certain Cancers
One of the worst things about cancer is that it can develop in so many different parts of the body. There is no one strain, which is why it can be so challenging to diagnose and treat. That being said, preliminary research shows a positive correlation between coffee consumption and a reduced risk of cancers like prostate and endometrial cancer.
What’s crucial to point out here is that caffeine isn’t the source of the protection. Polyphenols are found in coffee, and they have anti-carcinogenic effects. As with other conditions on this list, the more you drink, the lower your risk. Other cancers that can be affected by coffee include liver, colon, and breast cancer.
Makes Your Liver Healthier
We don’t give our liver enough credit. This one organ does so much at cleaning our blood that it’s almost impossible to understand how much it works for our bodies. If you have cirrhosis of the liver and need dialysis, however, you know how valuable the organ is.
Your liver produces more enzymes when it’s damaged or inflamed, usually due to excessive alcohol intake. According to a recent study, coffee appeared to lower these enzymes and repair some of the damage. However, if you really want to keep your liver in good shape, avoid the alcohol altogether. But, since other conditions can inflame your liver, drinking coffee is still beneficial.
Reduces Your Chances of Getting Gout
Odds are that you probably don’t think about gout too much. It’s not a disease that often hits the news, so it’s easy for cases to go unnoticed. However, according to recent estimates, roughly eight million Americans have gout. Unfortunately, like diabetes, poor diet and a lack of exercise have led to an increase in cases, although genetics is another significant factor.
Gout is a form of arthritis, and it’s usually a result of too much uric acid in your system. Thankfully, coffee seems to lower the amount of acid, which can reduce your risk by up to 57 percent. As with other studies, the effects appear to be cumulative, so moderate coffee drinkers benefited the most.
Lowers Your Risk of Developing Parkinson’s Disease
According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, roughly 60,000 people in the U.S. have this disease. If you’re unfamiliar with its effects, it’s a neurodegenerative condition, meaning that it gets worse over time.
Although genetics is a substantial risk factor, new research indicates that moderate coffee drinkers have a lower risk for Parkinson’s, even when accounting for genetics.
Coffee Gives Your Health a Boost
Full of Antioxidants
As we mentioned, one of coffee’s primary side effects is as an anti-inflammatory. However, what makes the beverage so potent is its high levels of antioxidants. What’s even better is that these compounds are present both in the beans and the roasting process. Essentially, a bag of coffee is better for your body than green tea or cocoa.
While the exact benefits of antioxidants are a bit complicated, the bottom line is that they help prevent cell damage and inflammation. If you’ve ever heard about free radicals, you know that they can mess up your internal systems. Thankfully, antioxidants neutralize these radicals immediately.
Increases Fiber Intake
When talking about superfood ingredients, fiber has been having a bit of a moment lately. There are several reasons why you should increase your fiber intake:
Fiber helps manage your gut bacteria, so your stomach stays healthy and efficient. This is also why you can feel less hungry after eating a fiber-rich meal.
This ingredient also helps maintain optimal insulin levels and can help prevent spikes. Those with a high-fiber diet can stave off diabetes.
Finally, fiber can help clean out your system. Insoluble fiber cannot be broken down by your intestines, but it’s excellent at clinging to fat and other waste products. This is why coffee can cause you to go to the bathroom immediately after drinking it.
Overall, adding more fiber to your diet is a net positive, and each eight-ounce cup of coffee has roughly two grams.
Better Rebound From Your Workout
Interestingly, working out is a form of controlled pain management. Whether you lift weights or run on the treadmill, the goal is to tear your muscle fibers so that they can regrow stronger. In this regard, caffeine from coffee can help you manage this pain better.
First, coffee can increase your stamina with an energy boost, enabling you to work out for extended periods. Second, the caffeine increases your pain tolerance, allowing you to push yourself harder. Finally, the beverage will strengthen your muscle fibers, so you recover faster. Overall, adding some coffee to your pre and post-workout regimen is highly recommended.
Improves Your Mood
We all know that co-worker that needs coffee in the morning. Perhaps that person has a mug that says, “don’t talk to me before I’ve had my coffee!” While the individual may be joking (to an extent), the research actually backs up the claim.
According to a recent study, employees who drank coffee regularly reported a better sense of self-esteem. Additionally, participants had a more favorable view of co-workers and were more engaged in group assignments. If you’re in middle management, take note – free coffee will make workers even happier.
Bottom Line: When Consumed in Moderation, Coffee Can Do Wonders
Overall, we highly recommend getting a few cups every day, but more than that might be more trouble than it’s worth. If you want the best-tasting coffee, order from Christine’s Coffee. We take pride in roasting our beans to perfection every time. Try it, and you’ll see for yourself.
