Health Benefits of Drinking High Quality Coffee
If you can’t imagine life without a morning cup of coffee, there’s some good news. It’s not only a delicious and energizing way to wake up. It’s linked to a growing list of health benefits, most of them rooted in the fact that coffee is a potent source of antioxidants.
Yes, that’s right. Your humble cup of joe is jampacked with valuable compounds that translate into everything from lowering risk of diabetes to potentially boosting your brain health.
Here are some reasons to add two or three mugs to your daily routine:
Enhances energy levels
Coffee is rich in the stimulant caffeine. “Caffeine may boost your energy levels when taken moderately because it enhances your metabolic rate and the release of adrenaline, the hormone in the brain responsible for energy release,” says Daniel Boyer, MD, a researcher at the Farr Institute in West Des Moines, Iowa.
Promotes a healthy weight
“Caffeine may also promote a healthy weight, reducing the risk of certain conditions linked to [being] overweight like heart problems by supporting gut health and altering fat storage, which is all linked to weight management,” Dr. Boyer says. And the evidence agrees.
Lowers the risk of Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how the body uses sugar. When blood sugar remains high, it can lead to potentially serious health problems. Drinking coffee may help reduce the risk of developing this condition.
Reduces the risk of liver disease
Liver disease is a serious condition that can lead to life-threatening health complications, including cirrhosis. However, it seems that coffee may support liver health.
Drinking two cups of coffee has also been linked to a reduced risk of liver cancer of up to 43%.
Reduces the risk of Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that leads to problems with movement and balance. Like Alzheimer’s, there is no cure, but treatments exist to slow disease progression.
However, regular coffee drinkers appear to have a significantly lower risk of developing the disease, according to a 2020 review. It may also slow disease progression.
Enhances heart health
Coffee may help protect against heart disease and improve heart health. Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. By protecting heart health, coffee may also reduce the risk of death.
It may also decrease blood pressure. In a 2017 study, researchers found that drinking 7 cups per day meant a 9% reduced risk of hypertension, with a further 1% decrease for each additional cup.