How do you start your day?
For many people, the drill begins with getting out of bed, brushing their teeth, and sipping a cup of coffee. Coffee acts as a java jolt to jumpstart your morning. It flushes all the drowsiness, thus giving you the much-needed bout of freshness to prepare yourself for the day.
Coffee is also the ultimate savior at workplaces. Many of them have coffee machines installed within their premises. A cup of coffee increases your productivity at work, thus, helping you keep up with the deadlines. In short, coffee acts as a knight in shining armor for all those who look forward to dealing with a lack of concentration and drowsiness.
Despite the many benefits of coffee, some studies have laid down that drinking coffee may not be healthy. According to them, the addictive quality of caffeine and the possibility of sugar overload are of concern. Another research has counteracted this claim. It states that coffee is healthy and provides health benefits when consumed in moderation.
So, is coffee good or bad for you? Keep reading this article till the end to find out!
Coffee is More Healthful than Harmful
The early studies about coffee suggest that it may lead to various health problems, but the recent studies on the beverage have rubbished the former. According to them, there is strong evidence that drinking coffee comes with many health benefits. It further lays down that for most individuals, the consumption of coffee in moderation results in a healthy life.
Drinking 2-5 cups of coffee a day is linked to a lower likelihood of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Coffee also keeps Parkinson’s disease, depression, and liver and endometrial cancers at bay.
Coffee May Lower the Risk of Death
The latest addition to the body of research was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. This study looked at 120,000 people in the UK who regularly consumed unsweetened or sugar-sweetened coffee for more than five years. The findings mention that those who drank 1.5-3 cups a day had a lower risk of death during the seven years than non-coffee drinkers. They even used a teaspoon of natural sugar to make their coffee more drinkable.
Coffee With Sugar Doesn’t Suppress its Benefits
Many people assume that the addition of sugar to coffee suppresses its health benefits. However, it is not the truth. If you consume sugar-sweetened coffee, you are less likely to die than all the non-coffee drinkers. Drinking coffee regularly increases your lifespan by 29-31 percent. Adding sugar to the coffee makes it tastier and doesn’t lessen its positive health effects. However, always ensure using a non-artificial sweetener over an artificial product.
What are the Health Benefits of Coffee?
Now that many recent studies have given a thumbs up to the consumption of coffee, you may add it to your daily diet. Here are the benefits you will enjoy if you consume coffee regularly.
Coffee Boosts Mood and Brainpower
Consuming low-to-moderate doses of caffeine helps sharpen your attention. It also increases your alertness and speeds up your reaction time. Coffee may improve your memory and executive function capabilities, such as judgment and decision-making.
Lesser Risks of Chronic Diseases
Coffee is rich in many antioxidants. Antioxidants are compounds that benefit your body by regulating the levels of free radicals. The unstable molecules leading to excessive damage to your body are flushed out.
When you consume coffee regularly, you cut down the risk of developing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.
A Better Heart Health
According to a famous study, drinking two to three cups of coffee a day will lower your risk of developing heart disease. Not only this, but coffee also keeps dangerous arrhythmias at bay. The oxidants present in this ingredient reduce oxidative stress and inflammation and block receptors involved in abnormal heart rhythms.
Even if you are experiencing any pre-existing heart condition or are at a higher risk of stroke or heart attack, the consumption of coffee will help you.
Great Energy Booster Before Workout
If you think that your workouts are slow and need some energy to lift more and work out without feeling drained, drinking coffee will help you. The stimulant effects of caffeine in coffee have a noted impact on exercise performance, including muscular strength and aerobic endurance.
For a healthy athlete looking forward to improving their performance during workouts, consumption of coffee 45 minutes before exercise works wonders. Thus, you may ditch BCAA for coffee for the much-needed energy during exercise.
Daily Fluid Requirement in Check
One of the most prevalent myths about coffee is that its consumption leads to dehydration. While caffeinated drinks may make you have to pee more than normal, coffee itself is not inherently dehydrating.
According to a recent report on coffee, this beverage may contribute to your overall liquid intake of the day, thus keeping you hydrated for a long time.
Improved Sperm Health
A study conducted in 2005 found that average sperm motility increased in line with the consumption of coffee. Men who drink more than six cups of coffee per day have higher sperm motility than those who do not drink coffee. Besides this, coffee is also associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer.
Better Skin Health
Coffee has perks not only for your health but skin as well. Coffee beans include polyphenols and caffeine that have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. The application of coffee on your skin also helps with skin problems like psoriasis, eczema, and acne.
Is Coffee Safe for Everyone?
Although coffee is a super beverage for many people, certain groups should always be careful about drinking it. Not a lot has been established about the effects of coffee on children. Caffeine should be avoided as much as possible during pregnancy. Too much caffeine may also lead to anxiety in people with anxiety disorders.
If you are a connoisseur of coffee, we suggest brewing it with a paper filter and drinking it. Unfiltered coffee is associated with higher rates of early death. It also comprises compounds that raise your bad cholesterol levels. Filtered coffee cause no harm.
We hope that this article clears all your doubts about the consumption of coffee. Keep in touch for more on health, lifestyle, and your favorite beverages.
