7 Surprising Health Benefits of Coffee

Coffee is a nutritious beverage that people can’t get enough of. Statistics from the The National Coffee Association estimates that Americans consume 400 million cups of coffee per day. The health benefits of coffee come from its nutrients and caffeine. However, some proposed negative side effects include the notion that coffee can stunt growth in teens and children, which is a myth.

Studies have found that the caffeine in coffee can help people perform better in school or while working. Whip cream, syrups and sugar-laced coffee drinks is where health disadvantage come to the nutrient-rich beverage. These condiments makes coffee no better than a sugary soda. With that in mind, setting limits to your coffee preparation and consumption is important in keeping coffee beneficial.

It Makes You Smarter

Drinking coffee can improve your mood, memory and performance due to the stimulating effect of caffeine. The British Nutrition Foundation summarized twenty-three evidence-based studies that caffeine improves psychomotor skills.

One such study, in a 2005 issue of “Psychopharmacology” found that consuming caffeine resulted in better reaction time, numeral math skills and speed of comprehension. Yes, coffee can make you better at solving math problems. Those who did not consume caffeine regularly had a more enhanced performance than regular caffeine consumers. Therefore, if you don’t drink coffee regularly, you are more likely to enjoy its effects. The boost in cognitive ability can help you perform mentally-challenging task more efficiently at work or independent projects.

Coffee Improves Exercise Performance

Caffeine’s performance-enhancing effect extends to physical exertion. Caffeine sends signals to the brain to burn fat cells, which helps produce more energy to sustain a workout. A study published in 2004 in the “International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism” found proof that the participants that ingested caffeine performed 11 to 12 percent better in endurance, short-term and graded exercises than those who did not ingest caffeine. It also improved overall stamina much more than the shorter and graded exercises. People who are athletic can benefit from drinking a cup of coffee a half hour before heading to the gym.

It’s filled with Nutrients

Although coffee is touted for its caffeine content, it contains a plethora of vitamins and minerals. A single cup of coffee contains three percent of the recommended daily value of potassium and manganese, as well as six percent of vitamin B5 and 11 percent of the RDV for riboflavin — vitamin B2. Drinking more than one cup daily can double or triple your nutritional intake. A cup of black coffee only has 2 calories, which makes it better than other beverages that teens consume, such as sodas or energy drinks, which can have more than 200 calories per serving.

Coffee Can Help Prevent Cancer

Coffee drinkers are 50 percent less likely to develop liver cancer than non-coffee drinkers

With all its nutrients it probably comes as no surprise that coffee can help prevent serious illnesses, such as cancer. Harvard Health Publications notes that coffee drinkers are 50 percent less likely to develop liver cancer than non-coffee drinkers. Coffee may also protect you from breast, colon and kidney cancer. Coffee is a great source of free-radical fighting antioxidants, that helps combat these illnesses. For many Americans, coffee is the main source of antioxidants that combat diseases. Coffee may also help you reduce blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as prevent Parkinson’s disease and diabetes, according to Harvard Health.

Coffee Reduces Suicide Risk

Researchers have found that drinking three to four cups of coffee daily can cut the risk of suicide by 50 percent

Caffeine not only gives you an energy kick, but it is also an effective mild antidepressant. Researchers have found that drinking three to four cups of coffee daily can cut the risk of suicide by 50 percent in both men and women. This does not mean you should increase your intake. The researchers note that drinking more than 400 mg of caffeine — about 3 or 4 cups — did not have further benefits. Therefore, try and limit your coffee to four cups at most. Coffee’s mood enhancing effect should be used to replace conventional treatments for depression. Always consult your psychiatrist first and discuss your options.

Coffee Is Great For Hangovers

While there isn’t really a hangover cure — other than to avoid drinking too much — coffee can help reduce the effects. It is no secret alcohol damages the liver, but researchers have proven that coffee can help improve liver function. The journal of “Alcohol and Alcoholism” found that alcohol increases an enzyme called gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) in the liver. A study revealed that drinking several cups of coffee per day helped reduce the GGT in the liver by 50 percent. Therefore, aim to drink a lot of water and a few cups of coffee the day after a night of alcohol-fuelled socializing.

Losing Weight

Nothing can replace healthy eating and exercise when it comes to losing weight, but the caffeine’s energy stimulating effect can motivate you to go for a jog. Coffee also stimulates fat burning and your metabolism. When combined with a balanced diet of lean protein, whole grains, vegetables and fruits, coffee is a helpful addition to any weight loss program. Don’t forget to count calories too.

Set Limits

Drinking black coffee is best and keeps it a low-calorie beverage. The caffeine in coffee is a stimulant drug. Too much of it can causes sleeplessness at night and thus affect a performance at work or school. Avoid using coffee to replace breakfast or make up for a lack of sleep. Drink no more than two to four cups of coffee a day and skip the sugar, whip cream and flavors that pile up the calories. Caffeine in coffee can increase the risk of anxiety and migraines in those susceptible, if you consume high amounts.