What are the Health Benefits of Coffee?

5 Reasons Why Coffee is Good For You

Coffee is arguably similar to our taste in our partners: tall, dark and rich. However, ask any coffee addict, and you’ll almost always hear their preference that coffee takes the cake, every single time. Coffee wakes us up gently, satisfies our taste and warms our hearts just a little bit more consistently. Of the many benefits java holds, the fact that it doesn’t talk back is considered one of the most favored. 

1. Coffee is packed full of antioxidants.

With three runners-up, including coffee, green tea and cocoa, coffee takes the gold with antioxidant activity. Before processing, coffee beans hold approximately 1,000 antioxidants and develop even more during the roasting process. 

Antioxidants fight inflammation, which is an underlying cause of many chronic conditions like arthritis, atherosclerosis and many types of cancer. By neutralizing free radicals, your morning cup is helping to prevent oxidative stress from building up and leading to chronic disease. Chlorogenic acid is known as an important antioxidant found almost exclusively in coffee and is thought to prevent cardiovascular disease as well.

2. Coffee helps your brain function properly.

Along with providing a temporary boost in memory, consuming coffee regularly will likely prevent cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. 

Of the many theories out there behind the reason why coffee may prevent cognitive decline, one working theory is that caffeine prevents the buildup of beta-amyloid plaque that may contribute to the onset of Alzheimer’s. 

[Photo Credit: Alina Grubnyak via Unsplash]

3. Your liver and coffee are soulmates. 

In addition to lowering the risk of liver cancer, coffee has been linked to a lower incidence of cirrhosis, especially alcoholic cirrhosis. 

According to scientists, an inverse relationship was discovered between coffee consumption and blood levels of liver enzymes. Typically, higher levels of liver enzymes reflect inflammation and damage to the liver. More coffee resulted in lower levels of enzymes. 

4. Coffee curbs depression.

Several studies have linked coffee drinking to lower rates of depression in both men and women. 

Caffeine activates neurotransmitters that control mood, including dopamine and serotonin. Drink coffee, be happy.

5. Coffee can enhance exercise performance.

Recent research exposed that consuming coffee before a workout can help battle fatigue, enabling you to exercise longer.

Not only does caffeine battle fatigue, but it also strengthens muscle contraction, reduces the perception of pain and increases fatty acids in the blood, which supports endurance.

Keep it simple with the way you consume it and you’ll find that when it comes to coffee, there’s nothing quite like it.

Bonus Benefit: Coffee is good for distance runners.

Caffeine has been found to help runners in many ways—especially runners going the distance. Since caffeine stimulates your muscles to use fat as fuel rather than glycogen stored in muscles, runners who drink coffee before pounding the pavement have more stamina. Caffeine also releases calcium stored within the muscles, which aids in endurance and speed. It gives you a jolt of energy and affects how hard you think you're working, so you can ultimately run harder and longer without feeling exhausted. So lace up those shoes, down some coffee and enjoy that runner's high. 

[Featured Image Credit: Rodrigo Flores via Unsplash]

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