What are the health benefits of drinking Coffee?

How that cup of Joe can improve your health.

There’s nothing like an excellently brewed coffee in the morning, evening, or well, anytime really! But what makes that cup of Joe extra satisfying is knowing a few of the superb health benefits. From heart health to mood boosts, coffee has what you need!

1. Cardiovascular health: Some recent studies have shown that coffee consumption has been linked to lower risks of stroke, coronary heart disease and heart failure! The caffeine in coffee can also increase the amount of calcium in the heart, which helps it pump more efficiently.

2. Type 2 diabetes: Caffeine can raise the levels of blood sugar and insulin in your body. This helps decrease the risk of contracting type 2 diabetes. So go ahead and enjoy that after breakfast, lunch or dinner coffee!

3. Parkinson’s: Studies have found that caffeine; along with some nifty chemical compounds in coffee help reduce the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease as well. The caffeine that coffee packs is beneficial in many other ways, but this one is outstanding, too.

4. Liver cancer and liver disease: Caffeine also affects the liver in positive ways. Excessive alcohol consumption does a number on the liver that is hard to ameliorate. Luckily enjoying a cup of coffee the morning after a few rounds at the pub will help keep your liver (mostly) safe from Cirrhosis. Studies also found that coffee consumption can reduce the risk of liver cancer by up to 40%.

5. Energy, mood and brain function: caffeine can do a lot for our organs, helping prevent disease and other ailments. But another organ caffeine gives a boost to is the brain. Caffeine blocks receptors in our brain that tell us we are tired and by doing so helps us stay awake and alert. When this gets translated into our work-life balance, it is easy to see how those who can keep up with their daily tasks, no matter how tedious, and get them all accomplished may have an improved mood.

6. Burn fat and aid indigestion: Though this one may be a bit weaker when we take into account how much sugar and cream we’re really putting in our lattes. But caffeine not only boosts metabolic rate up to 11% but it can also aid in burning fat.

7. Physical performance and workout enhancer: This one ties in with #6 in regards to caffeine’s ability to help burn fat and boost metabolism. It also incorporates a little bit of #5 in terms of boosting energy and focus as well. Yes! Coffee makes an awesome workout enhancer as well. Whether you are trying to get lean for the summer or bulk for the winter, coffee is there to spot you. For great results make sure to drink coffee 30-60 minutes before your workout to get the full caffeine effects. Also keep in mind to balance out the dehydration effects coffee can have by drinking lots of water before, during and after exercise, too.

8. Vitamins and minerals: For many of us, coffee may take the place of breakfast and possibly even lunch for those trying to get ahead or who may have fallen a bit behind at work. Though coffee should not replace meals and is not recommended as a substitute for food, coffee does contain a heap of beneficial vitamins and nutrients. In addition to a few different types of B vitamins, coffee also contains potassium and manganese. Potassium especially is a very beneficial and important nutrient that normally comes from foods like sweet potatoes and bananas.

9. Antioxidants: This one is related with #8. Antioxidants are touted as positive benefactors to your health, but what exactly are they? And what the devil do they actually do? Antioxidants help clean away cell damage in the form of what are called free radicals. These free radicals roam around causing chaos in our bodies, but with enough antioxidants this damage can be highly mitigated.

10. Reduce risk of depression: This one is highly prescient as depression is an endemic crisis effecting people all over the world in all age groups and demographics. Luckily, a Harvard study may have found a link between coffee consumption and lower risks of depression in women. Women who drank 4 or more cups of coffee a day were observed to have a 20% lower risk of suffering from depression. If you are currently suffering from depression or are thinking you might be, while coffee may be beneficial for you, please do not hesitate to see a professional counsellor or seek medical advice.

And there it is. 10 health conscious reasons to keep drinking coffee! Though rest assured, this list is by no means conclusive and is by no means finished with just 10 health benefits. Coffee, and as our list would suggest, caffeine especially, has many more tricks up its sleeve besides it helping get us out of bed in the morning. So don’t be afraid to grab a second, or maybe even third cup for the day. It may just (positively) affect your health!