Coffee

It’s one of the most common beverages in the world, enjoyed daily by millions, and has become the quintessential morning jolt many need to start their day.

Coffee does not suffer from issues with popularity, as it’s found everywhere around the globe in numerous forms and it’s being used in several ways. However, the benefits of the regular cup of Joe are anything but common.

Whether we are aware of it or not, the moment we started drinking coffee, we began nurturing our bodies and improving our health.

One cup of this morning’s elixir is an excellent source of not only energy but antioxidants and nutrients that will benefit your health in the long run. As long as we keep drinking it and indulging in moderation, which is an average between two and three cups per day, our health will reap the benefits even later in life.

It may have been witnessed or personally experienced by many. However, in the end, science has also backed the numerous perks of drinking coffee that are essential to a long and healthy life.

Boosted Brain Function

After it’s consumed, the caffeine within the drink is absorbed into your bloodstream, which is a very powerful psychoactive substance. As it reaches your brain, it impedes the activity of an inhibitory neurotransmitter, Adenosine, and allows others to take reign.

The amount of norepinephrine and dopamine increases, which effectively boosts your brain function and increases certain aspects of it such as memory, vision, mood, attention, reflexes, and several other cognitive functions.

In essence, coffee makes you more vigilant, smarter, and happier. However, while those are short-term benefits, several long-term perks will make it a paramount addition to your daily routine.

It has been proven that a moderate intake of coffee will significantly lower the risk of Alzheimer’s later in life, cutting it by nearly 65%. Its effects have also been shown to decrease the chances of developing Parkinson’s disease by 30 to 60%.

Those are two very common neurodegenerative diseases with no current cure available and highly demanding treatments. Coffee is an active contributor to preventing them.

Healthier Heart

Although there may be controversy surrounding the impact of coffee on our heart, the consensus seems to be that it’s ultimately an excellent supplier to its health.

It truly does increase blood pressure, which is certainly detrimental to consumers who have pre-existing conditions and problems with hypertension.

Coffee would not be on the list of recommendation for those particular patients, but this bit of information has given grounds to wrongful assumptions.

It does not mean that it increases the risk of heart disease. The increase in blood pressure is temporary and fades over time. However, the benefits will certainly last.

Studies have shown that indulging in three to five cups of coffee per day will decrease your chances of developing heart disease and lowers the risk of stroke by 20%. This is an especially prominent effect among women, who have been noted experience stronger results from daily consumption.

Protected Liver

Among the organs that coffee aids in their health, the liver stands among them due to the protective functions of the nutrients found within the brew.

This includes vitamin B2, B3, B5, Manganese, Potassium, and Magnesium, all found in the coffee beans contained a single cup. Daily consumption will successfully protect your liver by cutting down the risk of cirrhosis by up to 80%.

It’s a disease commonly caused by alcohol abuse, although it has been attributed to hepatitis B and hepatitis C as well.

Furthermore, coffee consumption has also been found to reduce the risk of liver cancer by 29 to 40% in some instances, especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is the most common.

It’s an incredible benefit, considering it’s the 3rd leading cause of death worldwide, and it could all be prevented by drinking a hot cup of Joe in the morning.

Fights Against Type 2 Diabetes

The disease of the 20th century that has plagued the world and has severe repercussions on the population, most damagingly in the United States. It’s a life-threatening condition that has to be managed daily by incessant pricks of the finger, measurements, and tests.

Among the successful ways to prevent type 2 diabetes, coffee consumption has been found to be high up on the list and certainly one that is easy to accomplish. However, this effect has not been noted among amateur coffee drinkers.

People who indulge in six or more cups of coffee per day can lower their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 22 to 50%. That is certainly quite a lot to drink, and not many are willing to give themselves that high of a boost of energy and implicitly sacrifice sleep.

However, the essence to extract is that coffee consumption is a potential prevention method for those at high risk of the condition.

Longer Life

The Fountain of Youth may have not yet been found, so all that remains is finding the right combination of elements that will help us live long and healthy lives.

Outside of the benefits above that show the impact of coffee on life-threatening conditions, there are more. Beyond the delicious aroma and irresistible scent, indulging in a few cups per day may actually help you live longer and be happier in the process.

Not many people are aware of the fact that coffee is a natural antidepressant, being extremely helpful in releasing dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline in the cerebral region, allowing you to start your day with a positive mindset.

Furthermore, observational studies have given credits of longevity to daily coffee consumption, as it has been noted that it can decrease the risk of premature death.

Although it has been shown to be much more beneficial for women, with an average decreased risk of 26%, it has shown results in men as well, by 20%. It cannot be stated enough that being careful with your intake could potentially result in a longer and disease-free life.

The benefits are numerous, and it’s possibly an understatement to claim that coffee drinking is highly unappreciated, in spite of the rich culture that has been built around it.

Next time you indulge in a brew, however, you will know that you are not only exciting your taste buds and upping your energy. You are also boosting your health. However, keep one important lesson in mind: as it is with all things, moderation is key.

Author Bio:

Amanda Wilks is a Boston University graduate and a part-time writer. She is passionate about natural treatments and general well-being and loves helping people lead healthy, balanced lifestyles.