Coffee is a trendy drink that provides various health benefits.
According to studies, people who consume coffee have a lower risk of suffering from various severe diseases.
In this article, you will find the 13 main benefits of consuming coffee.
1. Can Improve Energy Levels and Reaction Times
First, coffee helps you feel less tired and increases your energy levels.
This is so because it provides caffeine, a substance that acts as a natural stimulant.
Caffeine is absorbed into the bloodstream and, from there, travels to the brain.
In the brain, it blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter called adenosine. In this way, other neurotransmitters such as dopamine or norepinephrine increase.
According to studies, coffee improves different aspects of brain health: memory, alertness, mood, energy levels, and reaction times.
2. Can Help You Burn Fat
Caffeine is a natural substance that works by burning fat.
According to studies, caffeine increases the metabolic rate by 3-11%.
Another study found that caffeine increases fat burning by 10% in obese people and 29% in lean people.
3. Can Drastically Improve Physical Performance
On the other hand, caffeine stimulates the nervous system, signaling fat cells to burn body fat.
In addition, it increases the levels of adrenaline (epinephrine) in the body, which stimulates physical performance.
Caffeine breaks down body fat and turns fatty acids into fuel. Thus, caffeine can improve physical performance by 11-12%.
4. Contains Essential Nutrients
Coffee beans have many nutrients incorporated into our bodies when we drink them.
A cup of coffee contains:
- Magnesium and vitamin B3: 2% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI).
- Manganese and potassium: 3% of the RDI.
- Vitamin B5: 6% of the RDI.
- Vitamin B2: 11% of the RDI.
5. May Lower Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a disease that affects millions of people worldwide.
Coffee consumers have a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
In fact, according to studies, those who consume coffee have a 23-50% lower risk of suffering from diabetes. One study even found that the risk decreased by 67%.
Finally, a review of 18 studies ensures that each cup of coffee is associated with a 7% lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
6. May Protect You From Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
While there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease, there are several steps you can take to prevent it.
In principle, a healthy diet and regular exercise help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
But in addition, various studies found that coffee reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 65%.
7. May Lower Your Risk of Parkinson’s
Another prevalent neurodegenerative disease is Parkinson’s disease.
While there is no cure yet, studies found that coffee consumers have a 32-60% lower risk of Parkinson’s disease.
It is understood that the benefit is given by caffeine. In this way, decaffeinated coffee does not reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease.
8. May Protect Your Liver
The liver is an organ with essential functions for the proper functioning of the body.
However, it can be affected by various diseases such as hepatitis, fatty liver disease, or cirrhosis.
According to studies, people who consume four or more cups of coffee per day have an 80% lower risk of suffering from cirrhosis.
9. Can Fight Depression
Depression is a prevalent mental disorder. In fact, 4.1% of Americans suffer from clinical depression.
According to a study carried out at Harvard, women who consume four or more cups of coffee per day have a 20% lower risk of suffering from depression.
In addition, another study found that those who consume four or more cups of coffee per day have a 53% lower risk of suicide.
10. May Lower Risk of Certain Types of Cancer
Coffee could fight liver cancer and colorectal cancer. These two types of cancer are the third and fourth leading causes of cancer death.
According to studies, coffee consumption reduces the risk of liver cancer by 40%.
In addition, another study found that consuming four or more cups of coffee daily reduces the risk of colorectal cancer by 15%.
11. Doesn’t Cause Heart Disease and May Lower Stroke Risk
Studies do not find that coffee can increase the risk of heart disease.
Some research has found that coffee consumption reduces the risk of heart disease in women.
In addition, a study found that coffee reduces the risk of stroke by 20%.
12. May Help You Live Longer
Given the benefits mentioned above, it makes sense that coffee helps prolong life.
One study found that coffee consumption is associated with a 20% lower risk of death in men and a 26% lower risk of death in women.
In addition, people with type 2 diabetes can reduce their risk of death by 30% if they consume coffee.
13. The Biggest Source of Antioxidants in the Western Diet
Coffee is a rich source of antioxidants.
In fact, studies show that many people get the most antioxidants from coffee (and not from fruits or vegetables).
