Health benefits of coffee

Health benefits of coffee impress even the skeptics!

The health benefits of coffee have been studied for years. Coffee is packed with antioxidants and beneficial nutrients that improve health and performance. Many studies show that coffee drinkers have a lower risk of developing certain serious diseases. When the health benefits and advantages of coffee are combined, it has been shown that drinking coffee extends life. Below is a list of the health benefits of coffee that have been scientifically proven.

• Coffee Stimulates and Enhances Brain Efficiency

Coffee helps you feel alert and raises energy levels. This is due to caffeine, which is the most widely used psychoactive substance in the world. Caffeine in coffee blocks receptors in the brain accustomed to the fatiguing adenosine. At the same time, the production of other neurotransmitters, including dopamine, also increases. This results in increased alertness and energy levels. Many controlled experiments have shown that coffee affects the brain in other beneficial ways. Memory improves, attention increases, and reaction time shortens.

• Coffee Aids Weight Loss and Boosts Metabolism

Did you know that nearly every commercial weight loss product contains caffeine? Caffeine is one of the few natural substances that has a proven effect on fat burning. Many studies show that caffeine boosts metabolism by 3-11%. In one study, the effect was 10% in obese individuals and up to 29% in lean individuals. The effects might be slightly smaller when you drink coffee consistently.

• Caffeine Enhances Physical Performance

Caffeine stimulates the nervous system and signals fat cells to break down body fat, providing the body with more immediate energy. Coffee also raises adrenaline levels. Therefore, it’s no surprise that coffee increases physical performance by an average of 11-12%. This is why many top athletes are familiar with the benefits of drinking a large cup of coffee before physical exertion.

• Coffee Reduces the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

About 300 million people worldwide suffer from Type 2 diabetes. The disease affects blood sugar levels and symptoms include fatigue, depression, and irritability. For some reason, coffee drinkers have a significantly lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Studies show that the risk is 23–67% lower for coffee drinkers.

• Coffee Protects Against Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressively degenerative brain disease that affects the elderly. It’s the most common cause of dementia, accounting for about 80% of dementia cases. Alzheimer’s disease is incurable, but certain things reduce the risk of developing it. Several studies indicate that coffee drinkers have up to a 65% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

• Caffeine May Reduce the Risk of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a slowly progressing movement disorder in middle-aged and older people. It causes symptoms like trembling, general movement slowing, and muscle rigidity. Several studies indicate that coffee drinkers have a 32-60% lower risk of developing Parkinson’s than non-coffee drinkers. In this case, the effects were solely due to caffeine, as the risk for drinkers of decaffeinated coffee was normal.

• Coffee Lowers the Risk of Liver Cirrhosis

People who drink over 4 cups of coffee a day have an 80% lower risk of developing liver cirrhosis.

• Coffee Drinkers Have a Lower Risk of Developing Cancer

Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases in the world. Coffee drinkers have a reduced risk of developing liver and colorectal cancers, with studies showing a 40% lower risk for liver cancer and a 15% lower risk for colorectal cancer.

• Coffee Can Reduce the Risk of Heart Attacks

Coffee can raise blood pressure, but only slightly. If you drink coffee regularly, it no longer affects blood pressure. Contrarily, coffee may even reduce the risk of heart attacks, at least in women. Studies also suggest that coffee drinkers have a 20% lower risk of having a stroke.

• Coffee Contains a Lot of Antioxidants

In the Western diet, coffee is actually one of the healthiest foods. The health benefits of coffee largely come from its antioxidants. Studies show that most people get more antioxidants from coffee than from fruits and vegetables combined, making coffee one of the healthiest drinks in the world.

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