Benefits of Drinking Coffee Everyday
Coffee is an immensely popular drink all over the world, enjoyed by all ages, cultures, and occupations. Thousands of kilograms of coffee are consumed every day, a number that is growing exponentially as people look for a quick burst of energy, concentration, and pure enjoyment. But what are the benefits of drinking coffee everyday?
Coffee not only helps keep us awake and alert, but it also has surprising physical and mental health benefits. Studies have found that coffee consumption can lower the risk of stroke, heart failure and type 2 diabetes, as well as improve liver health and reduce the risk of mortality from different causes. It can also help boost sports performance and improve cognitive functions including focus and concentration.
As health benefits continue to be discovered it’s easy to see why coffee is so popular. But what’s incredible is the fact that it only takes a few cups a day to benefit from these positives. Two to four cups of moderate strength coffee per day is the sweet spot, providing enough of the stimulating compounds caffeine and antioxidants to improve health, without creating intense dependency or over-stimulation.
When it comes to the health benefits of coffee, the key is moderation. Too much caffeine can lead to nervousness, increased heart rate and other issues, while too little will reduce the antioxidant benefits of the beverage.
Mental Focus and Performance
Caffeine has been well established as one of the most potent cognitive enhancers. For many, coffee stimulates the mental alertness and concentration needed to carry out complex tasks. It does this primarily through its binding to adenosine receptors in the brain, reducing the user’s perception of fatigue and increasing the focus, wakefulness and alertness.
Coffee can be consumed in a variety of ways, from latte’s and cappuccino’s to energy drinks. But whatever the form, the effects of caffeine stay the same, be it a cup of espresso containing 75mg of caffeine or an energy drink with as much as 200mg.
Coffee can also improve physical performance and endurance. Studies have shown that caffeine can lead to improved muscle endurance and power output, as well as increase the rate of glycogen storage. This is due to its stimulation of free fatty acid metabolism, which has been proven to lead to enhanced performance during exercise.
Benefits to Heart Health
A number of studies have suggested that consuming three to five cups of coffee a day can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. As a high source of antioxidants, coffee can help to reduce the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, thus decreasing the risk of dangerous arterial clogging.
Studies have also shown that it can help to reduce the risk of stroke, with high coffee consumption being linked to reduced stroke risk, even after controlling for other established risk factors.
Coffee is also thought to help improve heart health by boosting the release of fat-burning hormones, meaning people who consume at least 4 cups of coffee a day see a greater reduction in the risk of heart failure.
Promoting a Healthy Liver
Drinking coffee daily can also be beneficial for the liver, with studies showing it can help to reduce the risk of chronic liver diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis.
For those with cirrhosis it’s especially important to stick to light to moderate coffee consumption as it has been found to reduce the risk of new liver damage. In addition, moderate coffee consumption may help to reduce the risk of fatty liver diseases, which can occur when fat builds up in the liver without causing liver damage.
Overall, coffee has been linked to a number of health benefits, from improved mental focus and performance to better heart health and a healthier liver. But the key here is moderation, coffee should be consumed in moderation, to gain the health benefits without developing a dependency or becoming over-stimulated.
Anti-Carcinogenic Properties
Caffeine, one of the primary components of coffee, has been proven to have many anti-cancer properties. Studies have indicated caffeine can inhibit the growth of certain cancer cells, such as leukemia and cervical cancer.
In addition, some studies have suggested that the associated decrease in inflammation and oxidative stress resulting from regular coffee consumption can protect people from all sorts of cancer, such as liver, colorectal and prostate cancer.
Potential Help with Depression
Coffee has been linked to helping people with symptoms of depression. The caffeine in coffee can boost serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the brain, all of which have been found to have a positive effect on mood.
In addition, the antioxidant properties of coffee can help to combat the effects of oxidative stress which has been linked to an increased risk of depression.
The health benefits associated with coffee suggest that a few cups a day can not only help you to feel more alert and focused, but it can also benefit your overall health and well-being.
Weight Control Benefits
Coffee has been linked to aiding weight loss, as drinking coffee has been found to increase the body’s metabolic rate. This means that more calories can be burnt when coffee is consumed before a workout, helping with fat loss.
Caffeine also has a diuretic effect, meaning that it can help to reduce bloat and water weight. In addition, coffee can also act as an appetite suppressant, said to temporarily reduce hunger cravings and make it easier for people to control their daily consumption.
Protection against Cognitive Diseases
As well as providing short-term cognitive benefits, coffee consumption is also linked to helping reduce long-term cognitive diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Studies on this have largely been inconclusive, but they point to the caffeine in coffee potentially helping to reduce the risk of developing these diseases, with moderate coffee consumption associated with a decreased risk.
In addition, coffee has been linked to helping protect the body’s cells and tissues from the effects of aging. The antioxidants found in coffee help prevent cognitive decline, reduce inflammation and make us generally healthier.
Potential Side Effects
While coffee can have plenty of health benefits, it is important to remember that too much caffeine can lead to a number of undesirable effects.
Drinking too much coffee can lead to restlessness and difficulty sleeping, as well as increased heart rate and abdominal pain. It is important to remain conscious of these potential effects, and to drink coffee in moderation to enjoy the benefits without over stimulation.
Too much coffee can also be damaging to our teeth, as it is acidic. The best way to avoid this is to rinse your mouth with water after each cup, and avoid drinking high sugar caffeinated drinks.
