Coffee is one of the most in-demand beverages in the world. But aside from its delicious distinct taste and its brain-boosting ability, what else does this drink has to offer? Read on to find out!
Whether drinking coffee regularly is actually good for you or not has long been a topic of controversy. While some may argue that it can cause insomnia, digestive problems and an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, experts believe that when consumed in the right amount, coffee has a lot to offer when it comes to health benefits. Recent studies on the health impact of coffee suggest that this delicious drink does more good than bad to the body, so coffee lovers have nothing to worry about!
Here are the top 5 proven health benefits you can get from drinking coffee regularly:
1. Nourishes the body with essential nutrients and antioxidants
Did you know that a single cup of coffee contains high amounts of Vitamins B2 and B3, magnesium, manganese, potassium and pantothenic acid? It is also loaded with powerful antioxidants – even more than cocoa and green tea which are considered to be antioxidant superstars! Experts have found over 1,000 antioxidants in unprocessed coffee beans and this amount increases even more during the roasting process.
2. Boosts brain function
Coffee is a rich source of caffeine, a psychoactive substance and a stimulant. When one drinks coffee, the caffeine travels to the brain through the bloodstream which results to a boost in the body’s energy levels. Many recent studies also show that regular consumption of this caffeinated drink helps improve general cognitive function, memory, reaction times, vigilance and other important brain functions.
3. Helps maintain a healthy weight
Caffeine has also been discovered to be one of the few natural substances that can effectively burn fat. Most fat burning supplements contain caffeine because studies show that it can boost the metabolic rate for up to 3 to 11 percent. Other studies found that coffee consumption increases fat burning in the body, by 10 percent for obese individuals and up to 29 percent in lean individuals.
4. Decreases the risk of many diseases
Because of its nutrient content, drinking coffee may help you prevent health conditions such as depression, gout, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes and even certain types of cancers. According to a recent study done at the Harvard School of Public Health, regular coffee drinkers showed lower rates of breast, colon, liver and rectal cancers. The study also showed that daily consumption lowered the risk of endometrial cancer by 25 percent in women compared to those who don’t drink coffee on the regular.
5. Promotes liver health
Apart from protecting the body against liver cancer, an Archives of International Medicine study shows that the more coffee is consumed, the less risk of cirrhosis, a condition caused by many diseases that affect the liver. Consuming an average of 4 cups of coffee per day decreases the risk of cirrhosis by up to 80 percent.
Drinking coffee is like hitting two birds with one stone – your body gets nourished while you’re enjoying a delicious beverage!