“All things are okay in moderation.”
A bit of a generous statement when really thinking about all things, but in the case of coffee, it holds true. For years, studies have shown that too much caffeine can cause some negative short-term effects like a raise in blood pressure, irritability, insomnia, and a racing heart beat; but if you’re an avid coffee drinker, these things only happen after 500-600 mgs, or 5+ cups of coffee. If you need that much coffee to get you through the day, you should probably just take a nap. Other than the extreme situations, coffee actually has some great health benefits, in moderation.
1. Coffee helps you burn fat
Caffeine is actually sold in pill formation as a fat burning supplement. Studies show that caffeine actually speeds up your metabolism by 3-11% depending on your size and your caffeine intake. Studies have even proven that people with caffeine in their system will lose 10-29% more fat than their non-caffeine consuming counterparts. It doesn’t matter if you take the caffeine in pill form, or drink your coffee hot or iced; caffeine is caffeine.
2. There are real nutrients in coffee
While a lot are lost, some nutrients in the coffee beans actually make it into the final product. According to Healthline, one cup of coffee includes:
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
- Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)
- Manganese and Potassium
- Magnesium and Niacin
3. Coffee can lower your odds of getting Type II Diabetes
Diabetes has become somewhat of an epidemic. Caused by high blood sugar levels and insulin resistance, diabetes can become a dangerous condition. People who drink coffee are actually 23-50% less likely to acquire type II diabetes in their lifetime.
4. Coffee slows Dementia & Alzheimer’s
With no cure for the neurodegenerative disease, it’s important to aim to prevent it rather than live with it. Studies have shown that coffee drinkers have up to a 65% lower chance of getting Alzheimer’s sometime in their lifetime. Eating healthy and getting enough exercise are other preventative actions you can take.
5. Coffee boosts energy levels
The main reason for people drinking coffee in the morning is to feel less tired. Whether your motive is a morning pick-me-up or a hot day refresher, coffee works all the same. Caffeine is absorbed into your bloodstream, which then travels to the brain. Once there, the caffeine blocks certain neurotransmitters and increases the volume of others. Overall, caffeine increases energy levels, reaction time, mood, and cognitive abilities.
6. Coffee and Parkinson’s disease
Studies on the correlation between coffee intake and Parkinson’s disease have been consistent over the years. People who consume coffee on a daily basis are much less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease. People who already have the disease can find that drinking coffee will help with their physical movement.
7. Coffee and Liver Cancer
Studies show that people who drink coffee regularly are up to 40% less likely to develop liver cancer. The study goes as far as finding that coffee drinkers who drink 3 cups of coffee per day reduced their chance of developing liver cancer by 50%.
ahhhh... coffee!
Coffee is awesome for many reasons. If you don’t drink coffee purely for the taste or the bolt of energy, think about the health benefits that come with it. Coffee, hot or iced is all the same; it’s the additives like milk and sugar that changes the makeup a bit. For the maximum benefits drink your coffee black or with light milk and a natural sweetener. The way you prepare the coffee doesn’t matter, but you know what you’re drinking when you make it yourself. If you’re one of those people that only like iced coffee, you can still make a delicious cup in your home. After brewing your coffee of choice, pour it in a cold wave and enjoy. You don’t need to go out to a coffee chain to get your daily dose