Many people think of drinking coffee as a daily necessity to function. While the caffeine supply is probably the primary reason people enjoy coffee, there are other great benefits you can hope to gain. It’s no news that the merits of coffee have been researched for years, with researchers and scientists claiming numerous health benefits from coffee drinking. This article will centre on why drinking coffee is excellent for you and how often you should enjoy a cup of joe.
About Coffee
First, a recap about your favourite morning beverage: coffee is made from roasted harvested seeds of various species of fruits from Coffee plants. There are several Coffee plants. Some favourably grow in higher altitudes, and others in lower altitudes. The coffee plant is presently cultivated in over seventy countries globally but mainly in Africa, Southeast Asia, the equatorial regions of the Americas and the Indian subcontinent.
The two majorly cultivated coffee beans (coffee fruit seeds) are Coffea. Arabica and Coffea. Robusta. Coffee Arabica is said to be the dominant species of the two and currently about sixty per cent of the world’s supply. The Robusta holds about forty per cent. Arabica is more acidic, less bitter and less caffeinated when compared to Robusta.
Benefits of Drinking Coffee
Next are the benefits of coffee. There are more benefits besides enough caffeine fuel to jumpstart your day. Here are some of the benefits of drinking coffee.
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Antioxidants
Antioxidants are natural molecules in plant foods that fight inflammation and underlying chronic conditions. Another function is they neutralize potentially damaging oxidizing agents called “free radicals” in a living organism. On a molecular level, antioxidants help protect the body cells from destruction. Examples of chronic conditions antioxidants help combat are cancer, atherosclerosis and arthritis.
Through research, scientists have claimed an estimate of a thousand antioxidants in unprocessed coffee beans and hundreds during roasting. Chlorogenic acid is an important antioxidant claimed to help with preventing cardiovascular diseases and is found almost exclusively in coffee.
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Supports Brain Health
This point has long been a bone of contention among people. However, despite mixed results, some researchers claim that coffee helps protect the brain against neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
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Promotes Liver Health
Coffee is said to help to reduce liver stiffness and alleviate some of the risks of chronic liver disease. A study showed that consuming more than two cups of coffee daily was linked to lower rates of liver cancer and liver scarring in individuals with liver diseases.
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Supportive of Heart Health
Another health benefit of coffee is the help it offers the Cardiovascular system. The heart is less prone to diseases and outcomes like heart failure from drinking about three to five cups daily. Research shows a 15% reduction in heart disease and a 21% reduction in the risk of stroke. Overall, coffee helps keep the heart healthy. Nevertheless, there are some exceptions. People who already have high blood pressure need to take coffee in moderation. The best bet is to seek professional medical advice.
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Enhancement of Strength and Athletic Performance
Caffeine from coffee is an endurance enhancer and is often used as an ergogenic aid by athletes. The aim is to boost their overall performance, increase energy levels, fight fatigue and reduce pain perception. Caffeine also raises blood fatty acid levels to support endurance.
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Promotes Weight Loss
Higher coffee consumption could help in losing some weight. Studies have shown that coffee alters fat storage and promotes attaining a healthy gut. The energy levels increased by coffee may provide people with the fuel to be more active daily, meeting all daily requirements and consuming more calories.
Coffee has many more benefits, such as short-term memory boost and longevity. Check them out for more information.
Should you Drink Coffee Every Day?
While coffee is packed up with these many health benefits, drinking coffee every day might be too much for the body to handle in the long term. Coffee consumption should be done in moderation as there are side effects to overdoing it. Some of these side effects include;
- Irritation
- Nervousness or anxiety
- Insomnia.
- Increased blood pressure
- Restlessness
- Headache
- Chest pains
- Irregular heartbeat, in a lethal dose and worst scenarios, death.
How Much Coffee is Bad?
Deciding how much coffee or caffeine is terrible is relative. People are different, and coffee isn’t for everybody. Also, some underlying situations or conditions shouldn’t be paired with a cup of coffee. This might lead to severe issues. Examples are people with sleeping problems, pregnant women, kids and teenagers. In terms of diseases, high blood pressure patients, people on certain meds and even those recovering from a caffeine addiction and withdrawal symptoms.
That being said, the Cleveland Clinic states that healthy adults should refrain from consuming over 400 milligrams of caffeine daily. That’s approximately four eight-ounce cups of brewed coffee or ten cans of Coca-Cola soda. Teens should avoid consuming about 100 milligrams and above, about one eight-ounce cup of coffee or two Coca-Cola soda cans. Breastfeeding or pregnant women should avoid it altogether, same with people with high blood pressure, heart disease and under meds.
Conclusion
Having a cup of coffee or two to enjoy its many benefits is excellent. It’s incredible to function at maximum energy, possibly curbing depression and reducing risks of type 2 diabetes and cancers; coffee sounds like the fountain of youth. That being said, moderation is key. Don’t take more than you should, especially when you’re in specific situations like pregnancy or under meds.
If you’re a coffee addict trying to reduce caffeine intake, do it slowly and in stages. Don’t try to stop it all at once. Still, the withdrawal symptoms that’ll follow will be uncomfortable, but you’ll be good as new in a few days. I hope this article has informed you better about why you should enjoy a cup of coffee besides the energy boost.
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