The health benefits of coffee have been well documented over the years. Studies show the health benefits that coffee offers, and why it is actually very good for you.
While some may argue that the caffeine will make a person jumpy and jittery, the reality is that the magical coffee bean contains all sorts of health benefits, which is why you should be drinking some every day.
Health Benefits of Coffee
Antioxidants: A 2005 posted on Eurekalert.org showed that nothing else even comes close to giving us as many antioxidants as coffee does.
Coffee Smell = Less Stress: Researchers at the Seoul National University examined the brains of rats who were stressed with sleep deprivation, and discovered that those who were exposed to coffee aromas experienced changes in brain proteins tied to that stress. While the aroma of coffee doesn’t cure all stress, it has been proven that smelling the bean lessens stress almost immediately.
Lessens Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms: In 2012, ScienceDaily reported that drinking coffee may help people who suffer with Parkinson’s Disease control their movements. According to Ronald Postuma, MD, the author of this study:
“Studies have shown that people who use caffeine are less likely to develop Parkinson’s Disease, but this is one of the first studies in humans to show that caffeine can help with movement symptoms for people who already have the disease.”
Coffee is Good For Your Liver: A healthy liver is important — and if you are a drinker, then drinking coffee is even more important. A study published in 2006, that included 125,000 people over 22 years, showed that those who drink at least one cup of coffee a day were 20% less likely to develop liver cirrhosis — an autoimmune disease caused by excessive alcohol consumption, that could lead to liver failure and cancer. The lead author of the study, Arthur L Klatsky, was quoted saying:
“Consuming coffee seems to have some protective benefits against alcoholic cirrhosis, and the more coffee a person consumes, the less risk they seem to have of being hospitalized or dying of alcoholic cirrhosis.”
Lower Levels of Suicide: That’s right, as off the wall as this statement sounds, there is a major study from the Harvard School of Public Health to prove it. Drinking between two and four cups of coffee can reduce the risk of suicide in men and women by about 50%. The proposed reason is that coffee acts as a mild antidepressant, by aiding in the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline.
As you can see, coffee is linked to some very interesting studies, and the above benefits of drinking coffee are only the tip of the iceberg.
More Benefits of Drinking Coffee
- Heart Health
- Reduces Chances of Skin Cancer in Women
- Tied to Athleticism
- Reduces Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes
- Keeps Your Brain Healthier Longer
- May Make You More Intelligent
- Can Reduce Chance of Heart Disease and Stroke
Sources: Eurekalert.org | ScienceDaily | Harvard School of Public Health