Coffee and Personal Health

Did you know drinking coffee is actually good for you? Coffee contains more anti-oxidants than many fruits or vegetables leading many coffee drinkers to suffer less from chronic diseases due to this. In fact, some researchers believe that coffee could be one of the healthiest beverages on the planet! Here are many other benefits that coffee drinkers will receive throughout their life.

First off, coffee contains caffeine, this is obviously understood by most, but what you may not know is what caffeine actually does in the brain. When caffeine reaches the brain it blocks the inhibitory neurotransmitter adenosine. When this happens, other neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine increase, leading to an enhanced firing of neurons. Various studies have shown that this leads to improved memory, mood, vigilance, energy levels, reaction times and general mental function. On top of that coffee is shown to decrease ones risk of developing Alzheimer's, Dementia, and even Parkinson's disease. 

Coffee drinkers have a significantly reduced chance of developing type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that those who drink multiple cups of coffee a day are 23-50% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than their non coffee drinking peers. Coffee is also known to help protect the liver, studies show that people who drink at least 4 cups of coffee a day are up to 80% more likely to resist cirrhosis of the liver. Not only does coffee help prevent cirrhosis of the liver but it helps prevent liver and colorectal cancer as well.

As if this single beverage wasn't enough of a miracle maker for one's health it also helps reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Caffeine has a minor effect on increasing blood pressure, but unless you already have blood pressure issues this effect is small and dissipates as you become a habitual coffee drinker. The long term effects of coffee are far more beneficial than harmful on ones heart health.

Coffee is also beneficial in burning fat, studies have shown that caffeine can increase ones metabolic rate from 3-11% and increase fat burning from 10-29%, though this effect may decrease with long term coffee drinkers. Brewed coffee also contains several nutrients to help with overall health including: 

• Riboflavin (vitamin B2): 11% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI).
• Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5): 6% of the RDI.
• Manganese and potassium: 3% of the RDI.
• Magnesium and niacin (vitamin B3): 2% of the RDI.

 Another benefit of coffee that people may not realize is that it helps with mood and alleviating depression symptoms. It also helps improve life longevity, a couple long term studies have shown that men who drink coffee regularly have a 20% decrease in death rates and women who drink coffee have a 26% decrease in death rates.

Coffee is not only a very delicious and refreshing beverage but it has more health benefits than almost any other beverage you can find. With that being said, be sure to drink a nice, strong cup of coffee today and start receiving all these health benefits!

Source: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-13-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coffee#TOC_TITLE_HDR_15