The Surprising Health Benefits of Coffee
Coffee is a diverse
beverage enjoyed by people the world over. As one of the most popular
drinks on the planet, experts estimate that approximately 400 billion
cups of coffee per year are consumed! While many people use coffee as a
stimulant to get them going in the morning or help them through the
afternoon slump at work… there are health benefits to coffee and it can actually be good for you.
That isn’t to say that drinking two pots by yourself every morning is good (you need water!), but 2 cups a day of the antioxidant-rich brew made from quality coffee beans can go a long way toward helping your body stay healthy and strong.
So what about information that’s been floating around for decades that coffee is “bad for you?” This myth was actually laid to rest several years ago.
In a 2008 study led by the Harvard School of Public Health, it was determined that men and women who drank as much as six cups a day did not increase their risk of disease or early death. Rob van Dam, Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition, was one of the study researchers and explained, “For the general population, the evidence suggests that coffee drinking doesn’t have any serious detrimental health effects.”
Those involved in the 20-year study realized that prior “coffee is bad for you” data was not taking into account the unrelated bad habits of participants such as smoking, physical inactivity, or overall poor diet. That means you can enjoy the benefits of real coffee without guilt.
Coffee has also been shown to improve heart health (due to fewer calcium deposits), decrease the risk for MS and Parkinson’s disease, and improve brain health, since caffeine promotes production of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline. It has even been shown to play a role in fighting type 2 diabetes!
One important consideration is that many so-called coffee shops these days are selling coffee “concoctions” filled with health-harming sugars, fats, and artificial flavors. These are not beneficial for your health, and are not the same as drinking actual coffee. Also, most coffee beans are sprayed heavily with pesticides. So you should select only coffee beans that are certified organic.
For those of you worried about the health of your daily java – drink up and enjoy every rich and delicious drop!
Want to be notified when other awesome interviews or articles are added? Click here for our free weekly digest. You’ll be glad you did.
That isn’t to say that drinking two pots by yourself every morning is good (you need water!), but 2 cups a day of the antioxidant-rich brew made from quality coffee beans can go a long way toward helping your body stay healthy and strong.
So what about information that’s been floating around for decades that coffee is “bad for you?” This myth was actually laid to rest several years ago.
In a 2008 study led by the Harvard School of Public Health, it was determined that men and women who drank as much as six cups a day did not increase their risk of disease or early death. Rob van Dam, Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition, was one of the study researchers and explained, “For the general population, the evidence suggests that coffee drinking doesn’t have any serious detrimental health effects.”
Those involved in the 20-year study realized that prior “coffee is bad for you” data was not taking into account the unrelated bad habits of participants such as smoking, physical inactivity, or overall poor diet. That means you can enjoy the benefits of real coffee without guilt.
Bioactive Compounds Found in Coffee
- Caffeine
- Diterpenes cafestol
- Kahweol
- Polyphenols – chlorogenic acid and quinic acid
- Mangenese
- Potassium
- B vitamins – riboflavin, pantothenic acid, and niacin
- Magnesium
Coffee has also been shown to improve heart health (due to fewer calcium deposits), decrease the risk for MS and Parkinson’s disease, and improve brain health, since caffeine promotes production of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline. It has even been shown to play a role in fighting type 2 diabetes!
How to Get the Best Coffee for Your Health
The benefits of coffee depend on where the beans are grown and harvested as well as how it is prepared. It is a naturally low-caloric food, before cream or sugar is added, containing only about two calories per cup!One important consideration is that many so-called coffee shops these days are selling coffee “concoctions” filled with health-harming sugars, fats, and artificial flavors. These are not beneficial for your health, and are not the same as drinking actual coffee. Also, most coffee beans are sprayed heavily with pesticides. So you should select only coffee beans that are certified organic.
Coffee Contains Antioxidants
According to researchers at the University
of Scranton, coffee is the number one dietary source of antioxidants in
the United States by a large margin.
Not only are there loads of antioxidants in coffee, your body absorbs
them effectively! If you want to limit your caffeine, you might be
surprised to learn that caffeinated and decaffeinated versions of coffee have almost the same benefits.
That means you can get the good stuff without the jitters. This is
particularly important for those who have difficulty getting quality
sleep or suffer from anxiety. Fully caffeinated foods can heighten such
feelings, so choose decaf!The Health Benefits of Coffee Go Beyond Waking You Up
- Results in higher energy levels
- Boosts mood, lowering overall risk of depression and suicide
- Improved brain cognition regarding mood, reflexes, and memory
- Protective against Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurodegenerative disease
- Improves the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease by enabling control of movement
- Lowers risk of liver damage and scarring that leads to cirrhosis – even damage caused by excessive alcohol consumption
- Prevents colorectal, liver, and endometrial cancers
- Helps prevent atherosclerosis (clogging of the arteries), which lowers risk of heart attack and stroke
- May lower risk of tinnitus (buzzing in the ears) in women, risk of skin cancer, as well as erectile dysfunction in men
For those of you worried about the health of your daily java – drink up and enjoy every rich and delicious drop!
Want to be notified when other awesome interviews or articles are added? Click here for our free weekly digest. You’ll be glad you did.
Article Summary
- Coffee is one of the most popular drinks on the planet.
While often used as a stimulate to wake people up (or keep them awake),
there are actually health benefits to coffee.
- A 2008 study led by the Harvard School of Public Health determined that men and women who drank as much as six cups a day did not
increase their risk of disease or early death. Prior data that “coffee
is bad for you” did not take into account the unrelated bad habits of
participants such as smoking, physical inactivity, or overall poor diet.
- Coffee has been shown to improve heart health (due to fewer
calcium deposits), decrease the risk for MS and Parkinson’s disease, and
improve brain health. It has even been shown to play a role in fighting
type 2 diabetes.
- The benefits of coffee depend on where the beans are grown and
harvested as well as how it is prepared. Most coffee beans are sprayed
heavily with pesticides. So you should select only coffee beans that are
certified organic.
- The benefits for caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee is almost
the same. But make sure you are drinking real coffee, not the coffee
“concoctions” filled with health-harming sugars, fats, and artificial
flavors. Stick to around 2 cups per day.
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