Lifestyle
12 Health Benefits of Coffee According to Research
For a lot of folks, it’s impossible to imagine beginning the day without chugging that first cup of coffee. A strong cup of coffee may be what motivates you to drag yourself out of bed and get ready for whatever lies ahead, such as a morning workout, a challenging meeting, or preparing breakfast for your children. It may even help you get ready for your routine shower.
What are all these health advantages of coffee, then? Here are the 12 that research has so far identified:
1. You’ll Slash Your Diabetes Risk
One study found that people who regularly consume coffee have a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes than those who do not. Chlorogenic acid, a polyphenol abundant in coffee, has been demonstrated to lower blood sugar levels and their absorption in the intestines, which is thought to account for part of the diabetes-protective effects they discovered.
2. You’ll Drive Like a Pro
It seems to make sense that you might need a burst of energy before you go behind the wheel as drowsy driving is a big contributor to many traffic accidents. Dutch researchers discovered that throughout a tiresome four-hour driving assignment, participants who drank one cup of caffeinated coffee assessed their driving as more responsible than those who drank decaf. They also swerved less and maintained their pace better.
3. You’ll Avoid Kidney Stones
Drinking coffee may lower your risk of developing kidney stones, which many consider being among the most excruciating medical illnesses ever. Coffee’s caffeine concentration makes you urinate more, which helps your body get rid of extra calcium and sodium that could create kidney stones, according to the researchers. Additionally linked to a lower likelihood of developing such uncomfortable stones were beverages like tea, wine, and beer.
4. You’ll Remember More Stuff
One study found that after viewing certain visuals, participants who ingested 200 milligrams of caffeine were better able to recall them 24 hours later than participants who didn’t. The researchers claim that while caffeine inhibits the neurotransmitter adenosine, it cannot suppress the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, which is essential for aiding memory retrieval.
5. You’ll Reduce Your Risk of Liver Cancer
The second most common cancer in the world to cause mortality is liver cancer and the sixth most common disease to be diagnosed. One study found that persons who consumed two cups of coffee each day had a 43 percent lower risk of developing it than those who avoided the caffeinated beverage. The components in the beverage, which lower liver enzymes and slow the progression of liver disease, are thought to be the cause, according to researchers.
6. You’ll Work Out Harder
A cup of coffee before working out could significantly improve performance. A study found that men who drank coffee an hour before cycling finished their workouts more quickly than those who drank a control beverage.
7. You’ll Help Reduce the Risk of Melanoma
Over the course of an almost 11-year follow-up, researchers found that those who drank four or more cups of coffee per day had a 20% lower risk of developing melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer, compared to those who drank none. Coffee has chlorogenic acid that may prevent the COX-2 enzyme from being expressed, resulting from exposure to UV radiation.
8. You’ll Boost Your Mood
One study indicated that males who drank at least four cups of coffee per day were less likely to experience depression than those who drank none. Additionally, according to Harvard researchers, caffeine can improve the transmission of dopamine, which controls mood, acting as a mild antidepressant.
9. You’ll Lower the Risk of Multiple Sclerosis
Coffee may lower your risk of acquiring multiple sclerosis, a disabling neurological condition that most frequently affects people between the ages of 20 and 40. Caffeine’s neuroprotective effects, which may be able to stop the creation of inflammatory proteins responsible for the disease’s development, are to be credited for the connection.
10. You’ll Save Your Teeth
Coffee could make your teeth a little less white, but it might also keep them in your mouth. Researchers from Boston University discovered that daily coffee drinkers had less tooth bone loss, a sign of periodontal disease that can lead to tooth loss. The study’s authors speculate that the antioxidants in coffee may be able to reduce the body’s natural inflammatory response, which would otherwise damage your gums and jawbone.
11. You’ll Protect Your Brain and Your Heart
According to a Japanese study, those who drank one cup of coffee each day had a 20 to 30% lower risk of having a stroke than those who didn’t. Regular drinkers reduce their risk of developing heart disease. Coffee has various biologically active components, such as caffeine, which have previously been associated with lower levels of cholesterol and blood pressure, however, experts are unsure exactly how the beverage may be so protective.
12. You’ll Live Longer
That’s right. According to a recent study that was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, people who drank 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 cups of coffee per day, even with a little sugar, had a lower mortality rate over the study period by up to 30%. Even more, motivation to accept the offer to top off your cup.
Just keep in mind: dosage is crucial
A caffeine overdose is unpleasant. The good news is that you can reap the health advantages without going overboard. These 12 proven health benefits are just some additional justifications for appreciating your coffee.