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Most people cannot function properly until we’ve had at least one cup of coffee in the morning. Whether we drink it for the taste, the energy boost, or because we’re addicted to caffeine, coffee is what gives us life and purpose on early mornings after tough nights.
But your coffee may be doing more for your health than you realize. And if you’re not drinking coffee already, here are 10 reasons why you should start.
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Coffee can be your best friend if you’re trying to lose weight.
This sounds too good to be true, but it’s scientifically proven. The organic chemical compounds which are brewed into your coffee from the lovely coffee beans help to increase your resting metabolic rate by as much as 11%!
The chemicals caffeine and chlorogenic acid work together to not only stimulate your body and increase your metabolism, the chlorogenic acid also helps slow the absorption of carbohydrates.
The caffeine will stimulate your nervous system which will then tell your fat cells to begin breaking down fats.
To amplify coffee’s metabolism-boosting effects, there are many online resources available which provide you with recipes that incorporate coffee into a healthy weight-loss smoothie that can also act as a meal replacement. You can watch a recipe video here.
If you’re feeling a little depressed, a couple cups of coffee can cheer you up.
Your morning cups of coffee can be doing more for you than shaking off your just-got-out-of-bed grogginess. In addition to bursting with cell-protecting antioxidants, coffee also acts as a mild antidepressant and mood-enhancer.
Coffee acts as a stimulant for your brain and boosts the production of important mood-enhancing neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline.
A study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health in 2013 also discovered that two to four cups of coffee a day can reduce the risk of suicide in men and women by 50%.
If you are suffering from suicidal thoughts, do not rely on coffee alone for help. Please contact the Suicide Prevent Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 to speak to someone who can help you through your difficult time.
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Heavy alcohol consumption can damage your liver. Protect it with a cup of java.
If your idea of a fun weekend is dancing, hanging with friends, and drinking alcohol, you definitely want to invest in a coffee maker and loads of coffee beans.
According to a study performed in 2006, daily consumption of at least one cup of coffee showed a reduced risk of developing cirrhosis.
In addition to helping protect against cirrhosis, drinking four or more cups of coffee a day may help prevent the progression of non alcoholic fatty liver disease. What a pleasant way to protect your liver!
Don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables? Don’t sweat it. Coffee’s got you covered.
Something people may not realize about their daily cup of coffee is that it is packed with a surprisingly healthy amount of antioxidants! Antioxidants boost your immune system and remove free radicals from your body.
While fresh fruits and vegetables are still the healthiest way to obtain your daily dose of antioxidants, coffee is no lightweight when it comes to antioxidant density.
In a study conducted in 2005, researchers discovered that Americans receive the bulk of their antioxidants from coffee.
As with any food or drink, moderation is the key to maximizing the health benefits of coffee. One to two cups of coffee per day is suggested for optimal absorption. So, drink up!
Hurting from an intense workout?
Add some cups of coffee to your post-workout recovery.
Exercising regularly and trying to get fit is difficult work. What makes exercising and fitness even more difficult and undesirable are the deep, aching pains that accompany workouts and fitness regimens.
Those aching pains are generally caused by micro tears in your muscles.
You can reward yourself with a couple cups of warm or iced coffee after your workouts. How is this a reward?
A study conducted in 2007 shows that drinking at least two cups of coffee after a workout can reduce delayed-onset muscle injury pains by 48% induced by eccentric exercise. Just think about the iced coffees waiting for you while you’re counting your reps.
If you enjoy sugar and sweets too much, coffee can be your secret weapon against Type II Diabetes.
Type II Diabetes is the most commonly contracted form of diabetes in the world, totaling 90-95% of all cases. If you happen to have a ravenous sweet tooth, you should consider adding in a few cups of coffee with your sweet treat.
Studies have shown that drinking four or more cups of coffee a day reduce their risk of contracting Type II Diabetes by as much as 50%. Another study shows that women who consumed over six cups of coffee a day showed a 22% reduced risk of contracting Type II Diabetes.
Scientists have determined that coffee helps prevent Type II Diabetes because it contains two categories of compounds that inhibit human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) which causes Type II Diabetes. Coffee never sounded so sweet!
Protect your memory and reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s Disease with coffee.
This sounds like science fiction but based on a case-control study performed in 2002, this is more realistic than it sounds. This study showed that low doses of caffeine administered over a long period of time were directly associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s Disease.
This is not a full protection, but a reduced risk. Still, the long term benefits of daily coffee consumption are becoming increasingly invaluable.
Does colon or rectal cancer run in your family?
Drink coffee to reduce your risk.
A study conducted by researchers at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center of Keck Medicine of USC has returned with results that suggest drinking coffee is associated with a reduced risk of contracting colorectal cancer.
A casual consumption of coffee on a daily basis can reduce your risk of colorectal cancer by 26%. This risk reduction increases as your daily consumption of coffee increases.
Are you having difficulty focusing or forming coherent thoughts?
A cup of coffee will help!
The mental fog you experience in the mornings can really slow down your productivity for the day and even cause you to make mistakes or accidents. Luckily, those who drink coffee will find that your morning cup of coffee doesn’t just give you a jolt of energy.
The caffeine in coffee will send a surge of energy to your brain and allow you to use it in a more efficient and focused manner. Caffeine blocks the neurotransmitters in the brain which cause the calm and sleepy feelings still active upon waking.
Drinking coffee will help to improve your reaction time, vigilance, logical reasoning, and the sharpness of your attention. All of these complex mental functions are associated with intelligence. So, in a way, drinking coffee can make you more intelligent.
People who don’t consume enough fiber can rest easy if they are avid coffee drinkers.
Did you know that coffee beans are rich in dietary fiber? If you didn’t, you know that now. Just one cup of brewed coffee can contain up to 1.8 grams of soluble dietary fiber. Your daily recommended dosage is 20-38 grams.
Interestingly enough, instant or freeze-dried coffees contain more soluble fiber than espresso or brewed coffee. This difference in fiber content is due to the different coffee brewing techniques used. Pair your coffee with a high-fiber muffin and enjoy a healthier morning!
From fighting depression to reducing your risk of cancer to promoting weight loss and even increasing your mental acuity, coffee can almost do it all. It really is the unsung hero of health foods.
If you’re not drinking coffee on a daily basis right now, there is no better time to start than now. Your future, healthy self will definitely thank you for it. Even starting with one cup in the mornings will begin to enrich your body and your life!