Even if you are not a coffee lover, sure after reading all its benefits your perception will change.
It is possible that a daily cup of coffee is doing more for your health than you think. The impact of caffeine on health has always been a controversial issue, as advocates promote its antioxidant activity and the ability to stimulate the brain, while detractors detail negative aspects such as insomnia, indigestion and increase in the heart rate. But the latest wave of scientific evidence brings us a lot of good news.
We share reasons why drinking coffee can be healthier than you imagined.
# 1 Coffee is a potent source of antioxidants.
Unlike what is commonly believed, coffee has more antioxidant properties than green tea and cocoa. Scientists have identified approximately 1,000 antioxidants in unprocessed coffee beans, and hundreds more are developed during the roasting process.
Antioxidants fight inflammation, an underlying cause of many chronic conditions, such as arthritis, atherosclerosis and many types of cancer. They also neutralize free radicals, which occur naturally as part of daily metabolic functions, but which can cause oxidative stress that leads to chronic diseases.
In other words, antioxidants help us stay healthy at the micro level by protecting our cells from damage. Finally, chlorogenic acid, an important antioxidant found exclusively in coffee, prevents cardiovascular diseases.
# 2 Caffeine provides a short-term memory boost.
During a study, a group of volunteers received a dose of 100 milligrams of caffeine, and Austrian researchers found an increase in the brain activity of the volunteers. This was measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). After performing a memory task, the researchers noted that the memory skills and reaction times of the caffeinated volunteers also improved compared to the control group that received a placebo and showed no increase in brain activity.
How it works: Caffeine seems to affect particular areas of the brain responsible for memory and concentration, which provides a boost to short-term memory, although it is not clear how long the effect lasts or how it can vary from one person to another.
# 3 Coffee helps against cognitive deterioration.
In addition to providing a temporary boost in brain activity and memory, regular coffee consumption can help prevent the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. In a promising Finnish study, the researchers found that drinking three to five cups of coffee a day in middle age was associated with a 65 percent decrease in the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia in the future. Interestingly, the study authors also measured the effect of tea consumption on cognitive decline, but found no association.
How it works: there are several theories about how coffee can help prevent or protect against cognitive decline. One theory is that: caffeine prevents the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaque that can contribute to the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers also theorize that because coffee consumption may be associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, a risk factor for dementia, it also reduces the risk of developing dementia.
# 4 Coffee is healthy for your heart.
During a study, data from more than 37,000 people were analyzed over a 13-year period and it was found that moderate coffee drinkers had a 20 percent lower risk of heart disease compared to non-coffee drinkers.
How it works: there is evidence that coffee can promote heart health by protecting against arterial damage caused by inflammation.
# 5 Coffee can help curb certain types of cancer.
Men who drink coffee may have a lower risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer. In addition, new research from the Harvard School of Public Health suggests that drinking four or more cups of coffee a day decreased the risk of endometrial cancer in women by 25 percent compared to women who drank less than one cup up to date. Researchers have also found links between regular coffee consumption and the lowest rates of liver, colon, breast and rectal cancer.
How it works: polyphenols, antioxidant phytochemicals found in coffee, have shown anticancer properties in several studies and are believed to help reduce inflammation that could be responsible for some tumors.
# 6 Coffee can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Many recent studies suggest an association between coffee consumption and a lower risk of diabetes. A study conducted in 2009 found that the risk of developing diabetes decreased by 7 percent for each daily cup of coffee. Previous epidemiological studies reported that heavy coffee drinkers (four or more cups a day) had a 50 percent lower risk of developing diabetes than casual drinkers or non-drinkers.
How it works: Scientists believe that coffee can be beneficial in keeping diabetes at bay in several ways:
1) By helping the body to use insulin and protect its producing cells, allowing an effective regulation of blood sugar.
2) Prevents tissue damage.
3) The fight against inflammation, a known risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
In addition, the caffeic acid found in coffee beans is particularly significant in the reduction of toxic accumulation of abnormal protein deposits, which are found in people with type 2 diabetes.
# 7 Your liver loves coffee.
It is true: in addition to reducing the risk of liver cancer, coffee consumption has been linked to a lower incidence of cirrhosis, especially alcoholic cirrhosis. A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine showed an inverse correlation between increased coffee consumption and a lower risk of cirrhosis, a 20 percent reduction for each cup consumed.
How it works: the scientists found an inverse relationship between coffee consumption and blood levels of liver enzymes. Elevated levels of liver enzymes generally reflect inflammation and damage to the liver. The more the coffee subjects drank, the lower their enzyme levels.
