Coffee is technically a stimulant, which means that it’s possible to over do it, but the truth is that a moderate coffee habit can actually be really good for you. That's right! There are many health benefits of coffee so you can stop feeling guilty about pouring another cup.
Of course it’s always possible to get too much of a good thing so don't go too crazy. But here are some reasons why your coffee habit is not actually a bad thing. Here are the best health benefits of coffee.
One of the best health benefits of coffee is that it makes you happy. If you get a little pep in your step after drinking a cup of coffee it’s not just your imagination that you’re feeling happier. Some studies actually suggest that coffee can boost the levels of dopamine in your brain. Other studies have found that coffee drinkers are less likely to experience depression.
Anyone who drinks coffee has likely experienced the helpful boost to the digestive system. This is thought to be from both the warmth of the drink as well as the caffeine content. It can be a nice way to get on a regular digestive schedule as you’re starting the day.
The boost from coffee doesn’t just make you feel more awake, it actually makes your brain work more efficiently as well. When caffeine hits the brain it blocks the neurotransmitter adenosine. When adenosine is blocked, other neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine start firing more, which can then increase the number of neurons that are firing in the brain. The more active the neurons are, the smarter you’ll be thinking.
Coffee has actually been found to lower blood sugar. Experts aren’t sure why exactly, but suggest that it might have something to do with the antioxidant content. When your blood sugar isn’t spiking throughout the day, your mood and hunger levels will remain more stable as well.
Some research has shown that drinking coffee can be good for your heart. Coffee drinkers have been found to have a lower risk of heart failure, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. Good to know, right?
Keeping the liver functioning at high levels is ideal, particularly if you drink alcohol or eat junk from time to time. Filtered coffee has been shown to help increase the function of the liver. The healthier the liver, the healthier the body.
Some studies have found that drinking coffee can cut down on the risk of liver cancer by 50 percent. Why? Coffee seems to put the breaks on genes that cause inflammation. Inflammation seems to be at the root of many health issues, so the more you can do to reduce it, the better.
Coffee has the ability to help you lose weight thanks to the fact that it actually increases fat burning in your body. Some experts say the fat burning bonus can lower as time goes on since the body gets used to it.
Whether or not coffee is helping you burn fat at rest, it most definitely can help give you a jump start for an awesome workout. Caffeine basically causes the body to release adrenaline. Drinking coffee about an hour before your workout can help you be that much more efficient during it.
We tend to drink coffee without even being aware of how healthy it is. It’s actually a lot more than caffeine and water. Coffee contains essential nutrients such as biboflavin, vitamin B5, manganese, potassium, magnesium, and niacin. It’s like drinking a mini multi-vitamin in your morning cup.