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A few decades ago, there were a lot of misconceptions and misinformation that comes with drinking coffee. Health professionals and doctors were warning us about the negative health effects of drinking coffee. In fact, there were controversies about its role in raising one’s heart rate, as well as increased risk of osteoporosis, heart burn and anxiety. But there are several emerging evidences that highlight coffee health benefits.
The effects of coffee on health have been widely studied. Latest research suggests that coffee can actually set you free with a clean bill of health.
Here are 6 surprising health benefits of coffee.
Coffee is America’s primary source of antioxidant
Antioxidants are an important part of our diet. These compounds help protect your body from oxidative stress. They have been linked with a number of potential health benefits.
All non-processed foods contain antioxidants. Aside from fruits and vegetables, coffee is among the top food sources of antioxidants. According to a study that was conducted by a group of researchers from the University of Scranton, a steaming cup of java is the single largest source of antioxidants in the American diet. Both decaf and caffeinated coffee have the same antioxidant levels.
Reduce risk of cardiovascular diseases
It was once thought that drinking coffee may increase your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Today, however, an abundance of evidence is painting your morning cup of joe in a more favorable light. In fact, recent studies suggest that coffee is safe for your heart and may even be good for it.
When consumed in moderation, coffee may actually ward off heart attacks. In a study that was conducted by Korean researchers, they have found that individuals who drink coffee are less likely to develop cardiovascular diseases. However, this coffee health benefit is only applicable to healthy individuals. Those who are suffering from heart failure should avoid this caffeinated drink. Just one cup of coffee can raise your heart rate to 100 beats per minute. This will put added strain to your heart.
Reduce risk of some types of Cancer
Not too long ago, coffee was listed as a carcinogen. But then, a larger body of research concluded that there is a lack of evidence to prove that coffee may actually cause certain types of cancer.
Cancer is one of the deadliest and widespread diseases in the world. It seems that everyone is looking for that magical anti-cancer cure. Luckily, cancer prevention is a coffee health benefit you can enjoy. Coffee is loaded with antioxidants that are linked with better health. Recent studies associate coffee consumption with cancers of the throat and mouth, endometrial cancer, liver cancer and prostate cancer.
Coffee makes you happier
If you’re feeling blue, then a cup of espresso may be of help. This beverage can give you the positivity you may be looking for. Drinking coffee can help boost your mood and make you happier. It can also help reduce the risk of depression.
Studies suggest that regular coffee drinkers are less likely to be depressed as compared to non-coffee drinkers. To take advantage of this benefit, you need to drink at least 2 cups of coffee a day.
It can help you burn fat
Among the many health benefits of coffee, you probably don’t expect to see this on the list. Did you know that caffeine is one of the very few natural substances that can help burn fat? Don’t believe us? Go ahead and check some of the fat burning supplements on the market. You’ll find that they have one common ingredient – caffeine.
The antioxidants in coffee can help you lose weight. Caffeine can boost your metabolism and increase fat burning. It also has an appetite-reducing effect on men that helps them eat less. Unfortunately, people become tolerant to the effects of caffeine over time.
If you are interesting in drinking coffee to lose weight, we recommend that you stick to black coffee. Black coffee contains a miniscule amount of calories. But if you add cream and sugar to your cup of joe, you may find yourself packing on some extra pounds.
Improve energy levels
Coffee contains a stimulant called caffeine. The surge of energy you experience from drinking coffee comes from caffeine. Caffeine increases adrenaline levels, which has stimulating effects on the body and the brain.
Due to the stimulating effects of caffeine, coffee drinkers often experience mental alertness and increased sense of energy. In fact, studies suggest that caffeine can increase physical performance by 12%. Because of this coffee health benefit, it is not surprising why most people drink a strong cup of coffee before going to work. In fact, coffee is a part of the daily routine of 55% of American adults.
Final thoughts
There is no denying that coffee is beneficial to our health. Studies have found the regular coffee consumption can reduce the risk of certain diseases, improve cognitive function, reduce the risk of depression and even aid in weight loss.
How much coffee you consume matters. Despite these benefits, recent studies have found that high consumption of unfiltered coffee also have some negative health effects. In order to enjoy all the coffee health benefits listed above, we recommend that you limit consumption to 1 to 3 cups a day. More than that and you’ll be negating some of these health benefits. Moderation is the key.
