Americans are obsessed with coffee. Around 40 million cups of coffee are consumed in the US daily. But did you know that coffee has health benefits besides being your go-to pick me up?
Coffee is good for your heart
That warm cup of Joe has been proven to help reduce the risk of certain heart diseases. A study presented on IFL Science found that the average coffee drinker has 13% less calcium in their coronary arteries. Calcium buildup in the blood vessels are usually regarded as an early indicator of coronary heart disease. Those who drank up to 3-5 cups a day had 40% less calcium.
It helps your brain
That feeling of clarity after drinking your coffee isn’t an illusion, as caffeine has been proven to boost short-term memory. Researchers writing for Frontiers in Psychology found that caffeine “results in significantly higher memory performance on an explicit cued–recall task in the early morning, but not in the late afternoon.” So if you need to get your brain in gear, the morning is the best time to have a coffee. Coffee consumed in the afternoon was more likely to affect your sleep. Caffeine has also been found to help prevent dementia and even the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
Good for fitness goals
Lots of people have declared I Suck At Fitness Goals, and while it all comes down to discipline and hard work, a cup of coffee can improve your performance if you are looking to get fit. A review of more than 300 studies found that improvements in athletic performance ranged from 2%-16%. For instance, those who drank a cup of coffee before running or cycling were able to perform for longer. This is because caffeine can reduce the feeling of fatigue for a short period after being consumed.
Makes you live longer
Antioxidants from coffee prevent inflammation, which can lead to numerous diseases associated with early death. Just make sure you drink caffeinated coffee. Healthline points out that you might be missing out on up to 15% of the antioxidants if you drink the decaffeinated alternative. This is due to the fact that some of the antioxidants are stripped off by the decaffeination process. If you are looking for alternatives to the usual coffee flavors you could try green coffee beans. Pretty Me notes that the green coffee bean variant is filled with antioxidants and can promote heart health. Some brands even contain stevia, which has less caffeine than regular coffee. Roasted coffee beans also have more antioxidants than non-roasted coffee.
Reduces risk of different types of cancer
Cancer is one of the diseases Americans are most anxious about. But did you know that regular drinking of coffee is actually helping you avert multiple types of cancer? The USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center found that regular coffee consumption reduces the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common liver cancer, by 24%. In addition, those who drink coffee are 26% less likely to develop colorectal cancer.
Hopefully this article means you will consider your cup of coffee in a whole new light. It can do much more than wake you up in the morning.
I would totally love to drink coffee but I don’t like the taste of it but I love the smell of it. I had so idea of the benefits of drinking it.
I like coffee – it’s a treat – but I don’t need to have it every day. The next time I feel the need to treat myself, I will remember this post. 🙂☕️
Wow, I love coffee! I didn’t know all the good benefits of coffee. Thank you for sharing.
I usually think of coffee as bad. Nice to hear about the fitness benefits. I usually have one during my morning walks.
I love coffee but too much makes me jittery (a full cup) I am one of those mostly creamer and a dab of coffee. I like it hot or cold though. It is great in the morning.
This is a interesting article. I can’t function without a cup or two every morning.
I love coffee, and I love that I now know so many benefits for drinking it! My favorite is knowing that there’s scientific backing for being able to perform longer at a physical activity. I had always thought that was the case in my own practice, but now it’s confirmed!
I feel less bad for drinking so much coffee now! Thanks for the information!
I’m happy to hear it has so many health benefits because I love drinking it! 🙂 I try to make sure I only have a moderate amount each day.
This is good to hear, I love drinking coffee. I do not like all coffee but I love having a warm cup on a cool day.
I had no idea coffee was good for the heart. I’m going to drink more, lol. Thanks for posting!
interesting benefits
I knew some of this. Thank goodness as I LOVE coffee!
I do not like coffee. Don’t even like mocha flavoring. I’ll have to find ways to get the benefits of coffee without coffee.
YEAH!! Love it when something I already do and like turns out to be good for me. I drink a couple of cups almost everyday.
I might have to start drinking coffee. Hmmmm.
Thanks for posting this! I’ve been trying to get my friends that don’t drink coffee to try drinking it because of the benefits.
I am not a coffe drinker, but would totally start for these benefits.
I wouldn’t stop drinking it even if it was alleged to be Bad. Smells soooo good, tastes so good, really gets the day going and revives later in the day…it HAS to be good for you, lol
I was not aware of some of these benefits, especially the one that is great for your fitness goals. I drink a lot of iced coffee, so, this article makes me feel good!
Thanks for sharing good to know that coffee is not all bad. I am not a huge coffee drinking but here and there.
I especially appreciate that it helps prevent certain types of cancer. I am a lifelong drinker and love my morning coffee.
I had no idea coffee had so many positive benefits. I will now feel better about having my extra cup of coffee.
I’m a tea drinker & don’t drink coffee, but I love learning new facts & had no idea about these health benefits – especially the antioxidants & cancer risk reduction!
I didn’t start drinking coffee regularly until 7 years ago when I got a Keurig. Now I drink it daily. But I probably defeat the purpose of it being healthy by adding cream & sugar. I have cut back 🙂 But I’m trying to find different/healthier alternatives.
I love that those who drank up to 3-5 cups a day had 40% less calcium. I’m on my 2nd cup this morning and I enjoy 3-5 cups a day so nice to know how good it is for you.
I like the coffee is good for your heart informational part.
Good to know thanks for sharing
This is really interesting! I had no idea that coffee is that beneficial! I really appreciate the info and can’t wait to share it with hubby.
Well, some good news because I LOVE coffee! My whole family does. WE are snobs about it too.
Good to know all of the benefits of drinking coffee.
Honestly I can’t get my morning started without a cup of coffee or two.
Coffee is definitely one of my favorite things. It’s always something I can look forward to every morning, so it’s nice to know there are so many benefits from it!
I like coffee and knew that there were health benefits but I only specifically knew that it has antioxidants. It is nice to know of all the other great benefits as well.
I’ve heard there are benefits to drinking coffee, but never had any idea it could help your fitness goals! Wow!
Interesting info! I really enjoy learning about the health benefits of various foods. I’ll note that I have ADHD, and after the (very brief) initial “hyper” effect of drinking coffee I get an effect similar to taking Adderall— calm and quiet. Same sort of neurochemistry.
this is boss
I’ve never been a hot drinks lover but I suppose the chilled coffees work just as well, lol. I’d go for those.
I go to bed thinking about my morning coffee. I like having a black coffee in the morning everyday, and a cheeky latte on rough days – it really boosts me up.
Good to know because I love my morning cup of coffee, thanks for sharing!
Now, you’ve done it! I guess I ‘m going to have to start drinking coffee!