The aromatic steam from our favourite blend can calm our minds and give us the jolt of productivity we need to get through the day. Learn more about the astounding health benefits of coffee and the positive effects of caffeine.
1. Increase Energy Levels
One of the main reasons why people drink coffee is to feel more alert and awake. Caffeine acts as a natural stimulant that effects the brain and central nervous system. It does this by blocking adenosine receptors in your brain, which are usually responsible for tiredness and increasing blood adrenaline levels. No wonder coffee is the workplace drink of choice.
2. Improve Memory
Along with being more alert, coffee can help you remember better. Various studies have been done on the influence of person’s memory when they have consumed caffeine. Nature Neuroscience reported findings from a study that caffeine helped students with memory consolidation.
3. Full of Antioxidants
Coffee is packed with antioxidants, even more than tea or wine. With antioxidants such as hydrocinnamic acids, polyphenols, trigonelline and quinine, this caffeinated beverage can help to improve your overall health. Antioxidants act as “cleaners” and oxidize free radicals from the body. They are believed to help protect us against aging and stress-related illnesses.
4. Lower Risk of Neurological Diseases
Drinking coffee may be able to protect you from getting dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. According to Healthline, studies have demonstrated the coffee drinkers have up to a 65 per cent lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease and up to 60 percent lower risk of getting Parkinson’s disease. While this coffee fact is extraordinary, it’s also important to eat well and get plenty of exercise to help you stay healthy.
5. Better Physical Performance
Having a morning cup of coffee can help you become more active and improve your athletic performance. It does this by increasing levels of adrenaline in your blood, making you feel prepared to take on highly-physical tasks such as working out at the gym. Caffeine also has the ability to burn fat while you are exercising.
6. Help Lose Weight
Caffeine can boost our metabolic rate, which can help with burning fat. This works by caffeine stimulating the nervous system, which then directs signals to fat cells allowing them to break down. A large cup of coffee can approximately increase your metabolic rate by 3-11 per cent, according to Healthline.
7. Improve your Mood
Talk about a pick-me-up! Coffee can boost your mood, contributing to a more positive attitude and decreasing the risk of depressed feelings. The Harvard School of Public Health published a study on how coffee can help people lead a more positive life. They found coffee can indeed mimic the effect of a mild antidepressant and improve serotonin levels. So, if you’re feeling down or had a bad day, make plans to meet a friend for coffee and help elevate your mood.
8. Decrease Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke
Studies have proven that coffee drinkers have less risk of heart disease and stroke. One of these studies was conducted in Brazil and found that people who drank three cups of coffee a day tended to have less calcification in their coronary arteries, particularly in women. Another study in Japan noticed that people who drank at least one cup of coffee per day, reduced their risk of a stroke over a 13-year period by 20 per cent.
9. Improve Blood Flow
Another health benefit of drinking coffee is that it helps to improve blood circulation. A study done by the American Heart Association demonstrates that a cup of caffeinated coffee can improve small blood vessel function. The participants in the study who drank caffeinated coffee had a 30 percent increase in blood flow over a 75-minute period compared to those who drank decaf.
10. Help Protect your Liver
Drinking coffee can help lower your risk of cirrhosis, a condition where the liver stops functioning properly. Reuters reported that drinking two additional cups of coffee a day was linked to a 44 per cent lower risk of having liver cirrhosis. ScienceDirect conducted a study on how an increased consumption of coffee can reduce the risk of liver cancer.
Pour yourself another cup of java because these health benefits have proven that drinking one of your favourite beverages can be good for the mind, body and soul. Whether you like your coffee straight black or with cream and sugar, enjoy the rush of flavor and health from this delicious treat.
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These tips are provided for information and prevention purposes only. They are general in nature, and Desjardins Insurance cannot be held liable for them. We recommend using caution and consulting an expert for comprehensive, tailored advice.
In Quebec, Desjardins Insurance refers to Desjardins General Insurance Inc. In Ontario and Alberta, Desjardins Insurance refers to Certas Direct Insurance Company, underwriter of automobile and property insurance.
