Aside from being the greatest morning reward, your cup of cofee has many health benefits, too. While everything has pros and cons, here’s 9 ways your cup of coffee is benefitting your health:
1. Potent antioxidant
Coffee is one of the best ways to get antioxidants in your diet! Antioxidants reduce the risk of developing lots of diseases, including heart disease and different cancers. Antioxidants latch onto free radicals in the body and prevent or reduce damage caused by oxidation.
2. Short term memory booster
Coffee raises serotonin and acetylcholine which stimulates the brain and protects the blood-brain barrier. Linking to the last point, the polyphenol properties in coffee may prevent tissue damage caused by free radicals, and brain blood vessel blockage.
3. Reduces the risk of developing gout
Gout is a debilitating form of arthritis in the big toe, usually affecting men. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in coffee may help reduce chances of a gout flare up, or developing gout in the first place. The results are controversial, but worth a mention!
4. Enhances exercise performace
Coffee allows you to perform with a greater output in the gym (or other forms of exercise). It is known to increase power and speed in stimulated race conditions. Whether you eat before you work out or not, coffee is a great pre-workout drink.
5. Reduces liver disease
Coffee has been shown to reduce the risk of liver disease, including cirrhosis of the liver. The benefits have been shown with coffee prepared any way, including instant, filtered, and espresso. Regular and decaf coffee have a protective effect on the liver, increasing healthy liver enzymes compared to those who don’t drink coffee.
6. Protects against Parkinson's disease
You read that right! Caffeine has been known to reduce the rick of developing Parkinson’s disease, and even helping those who have it control their movements.
7. Protects against colon cancer
Caffeine can decrease DNA breakage, which occurs naturally and lead to cancer and tumors if not repaired by the cell. Coffee, decaf or caffeinated can help reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer by 26% !
8. Lessen risk of developing type II diabetes
Drinking coffee helps your body process glucose (sugar) better, leading to less free radicals and a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
9. Reduces heart disease
1-2 cups of coffee per day helps reduce your risk of developing heart failure. A weakened heart has trouble pumping enough blood to the body.