TripZillaSome great news for the coffeeholics out there: Life really begins after coffee.
Beyond its delicious flavours and aromas, coffee has more health benefits than people realise. Maybe long-term caffeine addicts don’t need any more reason to load up on their brews, but who are we to argue with science? From improving concentration to lowering the risk of heart disease, we spill the beans on this life-saving drink.
Also read: 10 Coffee Recipes You Can Easily Master at Home
1. Coffee improves short-term memory and focus
Do you know the saying that goes, “I’ll start working when my coffee does?” It turns out there’s plenty of truth behind that statement. Caffeine, a natural stimulant found in coffee, helps in enhancing your short-term memory and concentration. It boosts your energy levels and allows you to think clearly, which explains why you feel more confident and prepared to take on your tasks after downing a cup of Joe.
2. Coffee is rich in antioxidants and fibre
Treasure your stash of coffee beans, as they are an important source of fibre and antioxidants for a healthy diet. Norweigan researchers at the University of Oslo confirmed that people get more antioxidants from coffee than they do from whole grains, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. Moreover, the fibre content in brewed coffee helps the body digest and absorb nutrients.
3. Coffee helps in losing weight
Image credit: Mike Beales (right)
Not only can coffee wake you up inside, but it can also lead to a healthy amount of weight loss. Multiple studies report that caffeine can increase your metabolic rate by 3% to 11%. Caffeine activates the central nervous system, sending your body the signal to break down body fat at a much faster rate.
4. Coffee enhances physical endurance
Drinking coffee has plenty of benefits, and one of them is the alertness you feel when the caffeine kicks in. Whether you’re battling fatigue or you require a significant burst of energy for work, caffeine enables the release of adrenaline in your blood and contributes to a higher endurance for physical activities, according to a study in the United Kingdom.
5. Coffee may reduce the risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Even if you can’t live without freshly roasted coffee in your life, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re setting yourself up for a sugar overdose. On the contrary, several studies point to evidence that regular consumers of caffeine have a lower risk of getting Type 2 Diabetes. Just another one of the benefits that come with being a coffee lover!
6. Coffee is good for your heart
Coffee can significantly lower the chances of getting a heart attack or a stroke, as noted by a study from the Harvard School of Public Health. Interestingly enough, taking as many as three cups of black coffee a day may reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke by as much as 20%. It looks like we have our daily dose of caffeine to thank for that. Don’t be afraid to get your heart pumping in all the right ways with your morning coffee runs!
7. Coffee may prevent depression
Among the many benefits of coffee is a lower risk of clinical depression, a serious health condition that interferes with daily life and overall well-being. In a 2011 study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health, researchers discovered that the risk of depression was 20% lower among women who consumed four or more cups of coffee.
Caffeine increases the production of neurotransmitters like dopamine, which can influence your mood. Simply put, coffee can make you a happier person.
8. Coffee helps you live longer
Image credit: Marco Verch Professional Photographer and Speaker
Given the worldwide popularity of coffee, it’s hard to come up with a reason not to have more of it. But here’s another one: A Harvard study shows that people who drink three to four cups of coffee each day tend to live longer lives. Women over 18 to 24 years of age have a 26% reduced risk of death, while men of the same age range have a 20% decreased risk of death.
Stanford researchers also explored the correlation between regular caffeine intake and longer lifespans. They found that caffeine may counter the cardiovascular diseases and chronic inflammation that come with old age. It appears we owe our lives, quite literally, to this brewed drink.
Also read: 10 Beautiful Starbucks Branches for Coffee Lovers Across the Globe
Despite these long-term benefits of coffee, we strongly encourage our readers to practice moderation. Too much caffeine intake can cause agitation, headaches, and insomnia. To err on the safe side, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that you limit your daily consumption to less than 400 mg of caffeine, which is roughly the equivalent of four cups of brewed coffee.
That aside, we don’t need science to persuade us to set aside time for coffee. Really, the heavenly taste is all the reason we need!
