Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the United States, with an estimated 4 million cups of Coffee consumed per day. Many people start their day with a cup of Coffee, using it as a stimulant. However, there is an increasing amount of research that demonstrates some interesting health benefits to drinking Coffee. Here are the top 10 Health Benefits of Drinking Coffee a cup of joe.
1. Coffee Can Reduce the Risk of Depression
A study published earlier this year took a comprehensive look at the risk of depression for people who drank certain beverages. It found that people who drank Coffee daily had a lower risk of depression (Guo X, Park Y, Freedman ND, Sinha R, Hollenbeck AR, Blair A, Chen H, 2014).
Also Read Beginners Guide to Brew Better Coffee at Home- 5 Tips!
Who contrasted this with caffeinated soft drinks, which can increase the risk of depression. In addition, a study by the Harvard School of Public Health found that Coffee may be acting as an antidepressant (Lucas M, O’Reilly EJ, Pan A, Mirzaei F, Willett WC, Okereke OL, Ascherio A, 2014). Researchers suggest that caffeine may be boosting certain neurotransmitters in the brain, which results in lower rates of depression.
2. Coffee Can Help Prevent Certain Cancers
Coffee has been found to reduce the risk of certain cancers. In addition, several studies have found that coffee consumption is useful for preventing liver cancer. Currently, researchers are unsure if Coffee is directly affecting the liver or if Coffee’s preventative effect on diabetes explains the healthier livers of coffee drinkers.
The American Cancer Society has published research that indicates Coffee plays a role in preventing oral cancer (American Cancer Society, 2012). People who drank four cups of Coffee per day halved their risk of oral cancers. The Fred Hutchinson, Cancer Research Center study points to Coffee reducing the risk of prostate cancer in men.
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The study looked at the role of bioactive elements within Coffee and how they may be playing a role in cancer prevention. It found that men who drank four or more cups of Coffee per day had a 59% lower risk of prostate cancer than men who consumed one cup or less per week (Geybels MS, Neuhouser ML, Wright JL, Stott-Miller M, Stanford JL, 2013). Researchers continue to analyze Coffee’s role in cancer prevention, but so far, the positive results have been very impressive.
3. Coffee Contains Antioxidants
There are hundreds of antioxidants in a coffee bean. Some researchers even suggest that most Americans get more antioxidants from Coffee than any other source (phys.org 2005).
Researchers don’t understand the precise role that some of these antioxidants are playing in the human body. However, they know that some of the antioxidants found in Coffee play a role in preventing heart disease and reducing inflammation. Inflammation within the body is often the cause of health problems, including gout, cancer and arthritis.
4. Coffee Reduces Decline in Cognitive Performance
As you age, your cognitive abilities will decline. That includes your memory, attention span, problem-solving ability, perception, judgment and reasoning. For example, research has found that people who drink three cups of Coffee per day have reduced cognitive decline than those who did not drink Coffee (Van Gelder BM1, Buijsse B, Tijhuis M, Kalmijn S, Giampaoli S, Nissinen A, Kromhout D, 2007).
Some research indicates that cognitive decline can begin in adults as young as 18. So if you wish to stay sharp as you age, a few cups of Coffee per day will help you greatly.
5. Coffee Can Improve Your Memory
In addition to reducing the decline in your cognition, Coffee can help boost your memory. Research published in Nature Neuroscience demonstrates that drinking Coffee can give you a short-term memory boost (Borota D, Murray E, Keceli G, Chang A, Watabe JM, Ly M, Toscano JP, Yassa MA, 2014). Test subjects demonstrated better memory retention up to 24 hours after ingesting the caffeine.
6. Coffee Helps Lower the Risk of Heart Disease and Heart Failure
In one meta-study, Who analyzed five separate heart failure studies to determine if Coffee played a preventative role. It found that people who drank Coffee had an 11% lower risk of heart failure than those who did not drink Coffee (WebMD, 2012).
The research suggests that drinking two cups of Coffee per day is enough to have a preventative effect on heart failure. In addition, several other studies have shown a reduction in the risk of heart disease for people who drink more than two cups of Coffee per day (coffeeandhealth.org, 2014).
It is important to note that other studies have found negative health impacts in subjects who consume large amounts of Coffee. The two to five cup a day range is enough to have a preventative effect on heart disease and heart failure.
7. Coffee Reduces Diabetes Risk
Chinese researchers have discovered that certain compounds found in Coffee can block the accumulation of proteins in the liver responsible for diabetes (WebMD-2, 2012). The three compounds in Coffee that help block the toxic compounds are caffeine, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid. In this case, decaffeinated Coffee would have the same positive effect as caffeinated.
8. Better Performance at the Gym
Coffee has been demonstrated to increase endurance when performing the exercise. Research has indicated the ideal level of caffeine is 6 milligrams for every 2.2 pounds of body weight (Men’s Journal, 2014).
So, if you are going to have a lengthy workout, have a cup of Coffee before starting to set a new personal best! However, it is important to note that health professionals urge some caution with ingesting caffeine for better physical performance — don’t take too much and don’t become dependent upon it.
9. Coffee Can Help You Avoid Alzheimer’s Disease
For adults who have begun showing the early signs of Alzheimer’s Disease, drinking three cups of Coffee per day can positively affect cognition (WebMD-3, 2012). Researchers suggest that people experiencing memory loss should continue ingesting Coffee as a preventative measure against dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
10. Coffee and Weight Loss
If you have a few extra pounds you would like to get rid of; Coffee can help you. Drinking Coffee before meals can suppress your appetite (Mayo, 2014). Health professionals urge caution when using caffeine to help with your weight loss.
