Being one of the most popular beverages in the world, millions drink coffee every day, sometimes more than a cup per person. It contains quite a lot of beneficial nutrients and a good number of healthy antioxidants. These things, coupled with the fact that coffee keeps you awake when you need it the most, results in it being quite a healthy beverage. Some of you may disagree with this but we’re here today to bust the myths, so here are some health benefits depending on the popular types of coffee:
Improves Energy Levels
Coffee contains caffeine, which is the most common psychoactive substance in the world. Caffeine is a stimulant and when you drink coffee, it is absorbed into your bloodstream. From where it goes to your brain and there it blocks the functioning of the neurotransmitter adenosine, which acts as an inhibitor in neural functioning. This ultimately leads to increased levels of norepinephrine and dopamine, which in turn results in enhanced neural function, helping you stay focused and be more energetic. Studies also show that coffee improves memory, reaction times, and a person’s mood.
Reduces Physical Pain
Office work, physical labor or simply working out can lead to pain in muscles all over the body, which is not ideal and obviously leads to a reduction in the person’s productivity. However, studies done in Norway have shown that coffee-drinking individuals only registered a pain intensity level of 41 whereas those who didn’t drink coffee declared a much higher level of pain intensity at 55.
Helps in Weight Loss
Almost all fat-burning supplements available on the market contain caffeine. The reason for this is that caffeine belongs to the few naturally occurring substances which help in reducing fat. Studies show that it can give a 3-11% boost to a person’s metabolism. In obese individuals, caffeine increases fat burning by about 10% and almost 29% in lean individuals.
Reduces Disease Risk
Drinking coffee reduces the risk of several diseases which include neurological as well as some other diseases. Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease and has no known cure and in turn, causes dementia. Studies show that people who drink coffee are at up to 65% lower risk of getting this disease. The second most common neurodegenerative disease is Parkinson’s disease and also has no known cure. Studies show a reduction of 32-60% in risk of Parkinson’s in coffee drinkers. Coffee drinkers also have about 23-50% lower risk of getting Type 2 Diabetes, a condition affecting millions worldwide.
Protects Against Liver Damage
The liver performs many important functions in our body. Major diseases which can affect the liver include hepatitis and fatty liver disease. These can lead to the scarring of liver tissue which is known as cirrhosis. Studies show that the risk of cirrhosis is greatly reduced, by up to 80%, in people who drink 4 or more cups every day.
Contains Many Nutrients
Coffee beans contain essential nutrients, and when coffee is brewed, these nutrients reach your cup and are ultimately absorbed into your bloodstream when you drink it. Some of these nutrients include Vitamin B2, Vitamin B5, Manganese, Potassium and Vitamin B3. These nutrients help in the natural functioning of the body organs and ultimately, taken in the recommended amount, can result in a healthier body.
Reduces the Risk of Depression
Depression is a very serious disorder and can cripple the quality of life. Right now, about 4% of the US citizens are reportedly depressed. A study done at the Harvard School of Public Health reported that women who drank 4 or more coffee cups each day were at 20% less risk to suffer from depression.
Coffee can help improve your health in many ways as described above. Some of these benefits depend on the types of coffee you’re drinking, for example, decaf may not give you all the benefits of caffeine. It also depends on which coffee beans are best so always try to choose coffee beans which are of good quality. However, overall coffee has healthy effects on a person’s lifestyle.
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