Did you know THIS about coffee?
Enjoy your morning cup of brew? Well I have some good news for you.
Did you know that coffee is actually good for you?
When you take out the full-fat creamer, tons of added sugar and flavorings, and all things considered, coffee has several benefits. Now of course, there are certain groups of people who should avoid coffee, more so excess caffeine, or caffeine as a whole. These include:
those diagnosed with high blood pressure or arrhythmias
those suffering from gastritis or GERD (acid-reflux)
pregnant women
individuals taking certain medicines (thyroid medicine, stimulants, certain psychiatric drugs, and others)
If you’re not one of those people, you’ll find this very interesting.
Coffee by itself contains virtually no calories, so drinking it black or with minimal additives can actually serve as a source of vitamin B2, magnesium, potassium, and…drum roll, antioxidants. Hence the reason why it has so many of the following benefits to offer.
Well, what exactly CAN it do?
1) Lower your risk of Type II Diabetes
Multiple studies have shown that drinking about 3 cups on a daily basis can actually improve the way your body metabolizes glucose and boost insulin sensitivity (The Nutrition Source, 2022). Those same antioxidants (more precisely polyphenols) are thought to be the ones responsible for this effect. That is, if you don’t offset all of their hard work with vanilla or caramel syrup.
2) Stop cancer in its tracks
The antioxidant and therefore anti-inflammatory effect of coffee has also demonstrated the amazing ability to prevent cancer cell formation and growth, particularly benefiting those at higher risk for liver and colorectal cancer. The reason for that being is that it stimulates gallbladder and intestinal contractions, both of which help to move matter along, reducing the body’s exposure to harmful waste. It has also been shown to potentially provide some benefit against: reproductive, as well as skin cancers (The Nutrition Source, 2022; Poole, 2017).
3) Improve your digestion
As mentioned before, coffee “keeps things moving”, boosting digestion and potentially even metabolism. Increased intestinal motility and regular bowel movements = better gut health. For those of you who struggle with gallstones, coffee actually decreases the risk of gallstones. Not only this, but it has actually shown to offer protection against fatty liver disease, which is vital to healthy digestion and overall health. You do have to be careful, however, as coffee can actually be rather irritating to those suffering from: GERD (acid-reflux), ulcers, or gastritis (The Nutrition Source, 2022; Poole, 2017).
4) Slow down Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
While more data exists in relation to Parkinson’s disease, there has been some evidence of coffee playing a beneficial role in preventing the onset of Alzheimer’s disease as well. In Parkinson’s case, however, the data is clear. Coffee consumption can reduce your risk of disease fivefold. Loud and clear (The Nutrition Source, 2022; Feller, 2021; Poole, 2017).
5) Lower your risk of death from heart disease or stroke
Yes, you heard that right. While a fine balance, coffee can actually decrease cardiovascular mortality. Those same compounds that act as a general anti-inflammatory for the body are also heart-healthy. What’s not, however, is the caffeine in coffee. Caffeine is the source of the most common problems encountered with excess coffee consumption, and is, well, to be fair, the reason for coffee’s bad rep when it comes to heart health. High blood pressure, palpitations or irregular heartbeat, are consequences of caffeine. And if you’ve heard that coffee can raise your cholesterol, yes, it’s true, but only certain types of coffee.
Unfiltered coffee, such as Turkish or Greek coffee, French press, and a lot less so but still included, espresso, have a higher number of the compounds called diterpenes that have been linked to higher cholesterol.
In contrast, while instant coffee has no diterpenes whatsoever, it does contain higher amounts of other chemicals that are harmful to your body in other, albeit, similarly important ways.
Feller, M. (2021). Is coffee good for you? Health benefits, disadvantages, and more.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270202
Poole, R. (2017). Coffee consumption and health: umbrella review of meta-analyses of multiple health outcomes. BMJ, 359. doi:
The Nutrition Source. (2022). Coffee. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-
features/coffee/#:~:text=In%20addition%2C%20a%20meta%2Danalysis,deaths%20compared%20with%20non%2Ddrinkers.
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