Jumpstart your morning with a hot cup of coffee. Aside from its great taste and aroma, a cup of coffee keeps us energized throughout the day no matter how busy it gets. But did you know that there are more benefits to drinking coffee every day? Here's a list of its health benefits.
1. Coffee can help get rid of pesky belly fat
According to studies, one of caffeine’s side effects is boosting your resting metabolic rate by 3 to 11%, helping you burn fat. Caffeine is also used in most pre-workout supplements, as the energy boost can help you perform better during workouts.
2. Coffee plays a role in cancer prevention
According to research, coffee may play a role in the prevention of breast and colon cancer, as well as help reduce the risk of recurrence in survivors. It has also been linked with helping reduce the likelihood of developing cancers of the oral cavity and skin.
3. Coffee helps keep you sharp and alert
Not only does coffee keep you awake but it also keeps you sharp and focused. This is all thanks to caffeine, which is the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance in the world. Once absorbed into the system, caffeine helps increase the amount of neurotransmitters that our brain releases, leading to better performance, alertness, sharpness and general mental function.
4. Coffee lowers your risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Aside from various types of cancer, studies have also revealed that coffee can reduce your chances of getting Type 2 diabetes, which is one of the most common diseases plaguing millions of Americans. According to research, cafestol, a bioactive compound found in coffee increases insulin sensitivity as well as its overall production.
5. Coffee has vitamins
Vitamins are essential to your overall health and studies show that you can get some of them from drinking coffee. This includes vitamin B12, vitamin B3 and vitamin B5. Coffee also contains manganese and potassium. The former helps support bone and tissue health while the latter helps decrease your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.
6. It's packed with antioxidants
The greatest source of antioxidants consumed globally (probably because over 1 billion people drink it daily), coffee can help you meet your daily antioxidant intake. It’s packed with as much antioxidants as green tea. Antioxidants are key in protecting your body from aging, oxidative damage and even cancer.
7. Coffee can help fight depression
Depression is a serious mental condition that affects many Americans today. Studies show that drinking four or more cups of coffee every day can help lower the risk of depression symptoms by as much as 20%. One of caffeine’s health benefits is to block mood-depressing chemicals in the brain, which helps improve quality of life and make you happier.
8. Coffee can help protect you from Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia are two of the most common neurodegenerative diseases that come with age and there is still no known cure. However, there are ways to help protect you from it or at least delay its development. One is through drinking coffee, as studies show that it can help you decrease the risk of suffering from these diseases later in life.
Now that we’re aware of its many health benefits, let’s now enjoy our favorite drink!
Story adapted from msn.com
