The Surprising Benefits Of Coffee You Didn’t Know
Coffee is a beverage that is known around the world and is seen to be more popular than tea, which is why there are over 400 billion cups of coffee that is consumed each year around the world. There are estimated to be over 100 million coffee drinkers in the United States. This is no surprise that in 2014 it was calculated that there are 7,049 Starbucks coffee stores in the United States.
Besides the energy boost and the great taste that coffee is known for, there are many other amazing benefits that coffee has. As coffee is a debatable subject with regards to is it healthy or unhealthy. There have been many research studies then that have continued to prove that coffee comes with countless healthy benefits.
For example, coffee is loaded with many antioxidants which help improve your health. Benefits like this, just makes the idea of drinking coffee even more great.
The Nutritional Values
Coffee beans come from tropical regions like Brazil and Hawaii and are grown from a plant. It is an organic compound that comes with a lot of nutritional value. For instance, it contains a good source of vitamin B, pantothenic acid, niacin, potassium, manganese, and magnesium. All of these powerful nutrients aid towards a better health.
Calorie Count: If you are trying to lose weight and is watching calorie intake and wanting a boost of energy too then coffee is for you. Black coffee with no milk or sweeteners only has only 2 calories. However, if you have more than 3 cups of coffee it can increase blood pressure and have other negative effects. So remember moderation is key!
Antioxidant: If you tend to get sick a lot or you find that your immune system is not as active as it needs to be, then it may be because your body has limited amount of antioxidants. However, there may be a solution as coffee is filled with antioxidant properties. It is even known that in western cultures people get more antioxidant properties from coffee compared to fruits and vegetables.
In addition, coffee has 4 times more antioxidant properties compared to green tea. Therefore, coffee can help reduce cavities, improves mood, stop headaches and reduces the risk with certain diseases.
However, moderation is key as it is recommended to only consume one or two cups per a day.
Health Benefits
Increases Alertness
Coffee is known as it’s a favorite trademark with regards to sharpening one's mental focus and/or alertness. This is because when you drink coffee it is immediately is absorbed into the blood stream which then travels to the brain. This effect will block inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain which results in a stimulant effect. This will result in with improvements of your energy levels and functions of the brain.
This includes increased memory sharpness, improved mood, increase in energy levels, better reaction time and cognitive functions. Studies have even shown if individuals drink coffee at moderate amounts when they become elderly are less likely to suffer from Alzheimer's and dementia.
However, it is important to realize that there is a good time in the day to have a cup of coffee and bad time in the day as well. This is because your body naturally produces a hormone called cortisol which naturally gives you energy but does not give you energy throughout the day. This is why it is important to note when your body does not produce the hormone so you know what time is best to have a cup of coffee so you are able to stay energized all day.
The hormone cortisol is active from 8:00am to 9:00am, 12:00am to 1:00pm and 5:30pm to 6:30pm so coffee is not needed. However, it is not active from 9:30am to 11:30 and 1:30 to 5:00; therefore, during this time it is a perfect opportunity to have that cup of coffee.
Lose Weight
There are very few natural substances that have been proven to help burn fat; however, this is not the case with coffee. This is why almost all weight loss supplements contain some kind of form of coffee in its ingredients. This is because it can increase and boost your metabolic rate by 3 to 11%. This means that you are able to burn more calories faster which can help with the process of losing weight.
Moreover, it can help calm cravings of other foods and beverages; as a result it can help you remain on your healthy diet and help aid your weight loss journey. Furthermore, many people drink coffee before they head to the gym and/or when they want to work out. This is because coffee gives you a burst of energy so you are able to get more out of your workout. This happens when the caffeine breaks down the body fat which is then turned into extra energy that you can use.
May Lower the Risk of Type II Diabetes
Type II diabetes is a common disease that many people of North America face. It is a genetic health problem when the blood sugar levels increase and cause an insulin resistance. Insulin is important as it allows your body to use sugar and break it down for energy purposes.
However, from recent studies it has shown how caffeine can reduce the risk/effect and the prevention of people developing Type II Diabetes. In the studies, it has shown to lower the chances of developing diabetes by 23 to 50% in people. This is because caffeine has chlorogenic acid and quinides properties which boost cells towards the sensitivity to insulin helps regulate blood sugars.
Lowers the Risk of Parkinson Disease
Unfortunately, Parkinson disease is very common in North America among the elderly. There is no cure to this disease which is why it is important that you make sure you take the right preventative measures to avoid developing Parkinson's. However, coffee has been known to help prevent Parkinson disease development in people. It is known to reduce the risk from 32 to 60%.
Liver Benefits
A healthy functional liver is linked to coffee which is shown in many recent research studies. The consumption of coffee is especially beneficial for the prevention of cirrhosis, hepatitis, and fatty liver disease and liver cancer. This is because there is a special ingredient in coffee that helps protect against cirrhosis by 22% which in many cases is linked to many other liver diseases.
Studies have also shown an 80% lower risk with developing liver problems. A possible explanation of why coffee helps with the health of the liver is because it contains antioxidants that might prevent liver inflammation and slow down cancer cells.
Makes you Happier
Depression is a common disorder among people of any age in the U.S and has a serious effect on people and makes it hard from them to get by day to day. Nevertheless, in recent research studies that have been done having shown that coffee can reduce depression by 20%. This is because coffee tends to have the effect of energizing and activating the mood in a positive way.
However, it is important to note that if consumed too much that coffee can have the reverse effect. It can then cause anxiety and mood swings. This is commonly known as a caffeine crash. So it is important to remember that moderation.
Helps the Heart
Coffee has been known to increase blood pressure and many people link this to various kinds of heart diseases. However, this assumption is false; this is because even though coffee does increase blood pressure the effects do not last for long. Therefore, there is no link with caffeine and different kinds of heart diseases and stroke.
Coffee is actually known to lower risk of stroke by 20% and reduces heart disease in females also by 20%.
It is only recommended to have 2 cups of coffee per a day maximum.
Can Help you Live Longer
In recent scientific studies, it has shown that coffee consumption has a link for people to live longer. This is no surprise as coffee is linked to lowering chances of getting ill and developing different kinds of diseases.
The Risks of Too Much Coffee
Too much of anything is never good for you and this also includes too much coffee.
Too much coffee can cause anxiety and mood swings. In addition, the coffee can keep you up at night causing insomnia. Too much coffee can reduce the chances of becoming pregnant and lowers the birth weight in babies.
However, as you probably noted from earlier there is much more good than harm when it comes to consuming coffee.
How Do you Get the Perfect Coffee for The Best Results?
- Fresh beans
- Keep beans fresh and in a sealed jar
- 100% Arabica coffee
- Grind your own coffee beans
- Use filtered water
- Avoid cheap filters and use either an "oxygen-bleached" or "dioxin-free" paper filters
- Need 2 tablespoons for 6-ounce cup
- The proper brewing temperature is 200°F or about 45 seconds off a full boil
- Keep coffee equipment clean
Surprising Facts About Coffee
- Caffeine is actually crystals that are 0.0016 inches
- Coffee is a red berry before it is a bean
- Takes 10 minutes to start feeling the effects of coffee
- The most expensive coffee is Ivory coffee $50.00 per a cup and $160.00 per a pound
- 40% of coffee is produced by Columbia and Brazil
- Coffee beans are actually a fruit
- 5 attempts to ban coffee throughout history
- Coffee stays warmer when you add cream
- Adding milk and sugar weakens the coffee effects
- The smell of coffee can give you a boost of energy
IMPORTANT NOTE: The above information is intended to increase awareness of health information and does not suggest treatment or diagnosis. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
