We all know the day doesn’t start until we’ve had our coffee kickstart, but what other health benefits does drinking coffee have?
Let’s start with the obvious : coffee boosts energy levels
Coffee contains caffeine and caffeine acts as a stimulant on the central nervous system. This occurs as caffeine increases the level of dopamine in your system, thereby boosting energy levels and reducing fatigue. That’s why we need that morning hit!
The caffeine in coffee blocks adenosine receptors in the brain, which reduces feelings of fatigue and increases cognitive function. Coffee also enhances task flexibility and creativity, making it a great choice for those who need to be mentally sharp during the day.
Health benefits
Coffee is a great source of antioxidants, which can help protect your body against cancer and other diseases. Coffee also contains important nutrients like magnesium, potassium, and vitamin B2. Magnesium helps regulate blood pressure, potassium helps maintain fluid balance, and vitamin B2 is essential for energy production.
According to a 2017 study, each cup of coffee consumed per day reduced the chance of developing type 2 diabetes by 6% (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29590460/). The possible reasons for this stem from the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects of coffee.
Studies have also shown that 3-5 cups of coffee per day reduce the chances of heart disease by 15% (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29276945/) and of stroke by 21% (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33188952/)
To top it all off yet more studies have show that each cup of coffee consumed per day could reduce risk of depression by 8% (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26339067/) and also the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7353179/).
Finally
Coffee tastes great, nothing beats a nice warm coffee with a fresh pastry on a cold morning while watching the kids play school sport.
And besides, what else are you going to dip your biscuits into ;-)
There you have it – some of the top benefits of coffee. If you're not already a coffee drinker, maybe now is the time to start!