Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world. Over 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed every day around the globe. The best part of waking up in the morning really is drinking that first cup.
Not that long ago, physicians were warning against drinking coffee because of caffeine it contains, but now, according to Healthline, moderate coffee consumption – three or four cups a day – is thought to be very beneficial.
Hot or cold, coffee is loaded with nutrients, antioxidants, and has a host of other health benefits.
Energizes Your Brain
It turns out that the caffeine in coffee is actually good for your brain, according to a study in the National Library of Medicine. That is because after you drink coffee, it is absorbed into your bloodstream where it blocks the inhibitory neurotransmitter adenosine. Then the body reacts by increasing other neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine. This leads to improved brain function including: boosting your mood, memory, energy levels, and mental function according to Healthline. So, drink up and get ready to reap the brain benefits.
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Packed With Vitamins and Minerals
The nutrients found in coffee beans are also found in the finished brew according to the organization Coffee and Health. These essential vitamins and minerals include riboflavin, B3, B5, manganese, potassium, and magnesium. What it doesn’t contain is fats, carbohydrates or proteins if you drink it black. It’s almost like getting a multivitamin in every cup.
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Coffee Makes You Happy
Health.com calls coffee happy juice. That’s because a 2013 study in AlphaGalileo linked coffee with positive emotions that include pleasure, affection, friendship, satisfaction, and happiness. A Harvard study of 50,000 women found that depression symptoms went down as their coffee consumption increased. No wonder that coffee shops are so popular.
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Loaded with Antioxidants
Coffee is full of antioxidants – molecules that prevent oxidation that damage healthy cells –and neutralize free radicals in your body. This can really boost your health. According to Healthline, people who eat a standard western diet get more of their antioxidants from coffee than from fruits and vegetables.
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Helps to Prevent Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease and the leading form of dementia. While there is no cure, there are things you can do as a preventative measure like eating healthy food and no surprise here, drinking coffee. A study published in the National Library of Medicine shows that coffee drinkers have a whopping 65 percent lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
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May Reduce Risk of Diabetes
A 2018 analysis of 30 previously published studies concluded that consuming coffee lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes. Each cup of coffee a day translates into a 6 percent reduction of the chances of getting diabetes. The researchers believe this is due to coffee’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
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Boosts Your Endurance
Coffee can enhance your endurance by improving circulation and when you consume caffeine and carbs before exercise, your carbohydrate stores are replenished quicker according to Health.com. This surge in energy will allow you to perform longer and better. So, stop at the coffee bar and have a cup before you head to the gym.
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