Most of us spring into action after a cup of our favourite beverage, coffee! So, what is in that cup of coffee that can wake you up and energize you for the day?
With all the talk about coffee doing the rounds, it is time to know whether that wonderful rejuvenating cuppa can do wonders to improve your health. It may be heartening to know that moderate tea or coffee drinking has no adverse effect on health, especially if people have a healthy lifestyle. Recent findings also point out to immense health benefits from coffee, mainly attributed to the presence of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals in ample measure.
Let us look at some of the health benefits as revealed by detailed and extensive research
Coffee drinking can be protective in the following ways:
Prevents Alzheimer’s and reduces risk of Parkinson’s
There are many risks to the aging brain. Coffee can protect the brain as people age and can offset some of the risks of the leading neurodegenerative disorder in the world, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Research has shown that coffee drinkers portray a 60% reduced risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Coffee can also lower the risk of Parkinson’s by 32-60%.
Lowers risk of Type 2 diabetes
With close to 300 million people as victims of diabetes worldwide, it may be good to know that coffee can reduce the risk of diabetes by more than 7% with every cup. The body’s inability to produce insulin results in Type II diabetes. An insight that analysed the result of 18 studies found that with each cup of coffee per day the drinkers were benefited by a reduced risk of diabetes by 7%. For those who consume three to four cups of coffee a day, the benefits are manifold.
Coffee can also protect against some cancers
Coffee can protect against cancers due to the presence of ample antioxidants in it. Research has shown that 3 cups of coffee a day can lower the risk of breast cancer, and cut the risk of colon cancer by 25%. 5 cups of coffee can reduce the risk of brain cancer by 40% and oral cancer by 39%. Women who consume more than 2 cups of coffee a day, enjoy a lowered risk of uterine cancer. 6 cups of coffee a day can lower risk of prostate cancer by 60% and 41% reduced risk of liver cancer. Further, research has showed that just 3 cups of coffee a day lowered the risk of endometrial cancer in women by 19%. Caffeine also offers protection against lung cancer.
Coffee keeps your brain alert and active
Have you ever felt energetic and enthused with a greater capacity to think after a having a cup of coffee? Coffee can give you that renewed burst of energy which is due to the presence of caffeine, a stimulant. What caffeine does is, it works to effectively stop the effects of an inhibitory neurotransmitter named adenosine. This results in the release of other key neurotransmitters for instance dopamine. There have been many trials which have pointed to the effects of caffeine on impacting the mood positively, keeping people alert and improving cognitive function. It also gives a boost to memory and helps people respond to situations with agility.
Coffee for weight loss
It may seem absurd, but coffee being the stimulant that it is, can boost physical performance. It improves metabolism and helps the body burn fat. Those who consume coffee feel they have better workouts at the Gym and it enhances physical performance.
Coffee can protect against liver disorders
Coffee can offer protection against liver disorders and can reduce the risk of cirrhosis by as much as 80%.
Coffee can make you live longer by lowering your risk of death. So, rest assured that your cuppa coffee is loaded with health benefits