Benefits of COFFEE
1. Coffee is the #1 source of antioxidants in the American diet
While
fruits and veggies are still the richest sources of antioxidants, it
turns out that for Americans, coffee is the main basis of antioxidant
consumption (according to the Institute of Coffee Studies at Vanderbilt
University). Black tea and bananas came in second and third place,
respectively. Surprisingly, both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee
provide similar amounts of antioxidants.
2. Coffee increases your metabolism
Studies
also show that coffee is very beneficial in terms of weight loss. It is
a common misconception that coffee is an appetite suppressant, however,
your morning cup can significantly speed up metabolism by about 10
percent. The National Research Council on Diet and Health found that
metabolic rates will be highest during the first three hours following
consumption. Just make sure to skip the added sugars, syrups, and
whipped toppings found in many store-bought coffee drinks.
3. Coffee can improve short-term memory
According
to studies published in The Journal of the American Medical
Association, caffeine is a cognitive stimulant that actually boosts
brain functioning. Furthermore, coffee reduces levels of beta amyloid, a
protein in the brain that is responsible for Alzheimer's disease.
4. Coffee lowers the rates of some cancers
According
to WebMD, coffee drinkers are 50 percent less likely to get liver
cancer. By drinking 2 cups per day, you're also slashing your risk of
getting colon cancer by 25 percent. Some studies have also found ties to
lower rates of breast and skin cancers as well.
5. Coffee can reduce risk for Type 2 diabetes
WebMD
also asserts that coffee contains chemicals that lower blood sugar,
making heavy coffee drinkers half as likely to get diabetes as light to
non-coffee drinkers. 1-3 cups per day can reduce the risk for diabetes
by single digits, but people who drink 6 cups or more per day can slash
their chances by up to 54 percent.
6. Coffee is actually good for your teeth
We
all know that one of the biggest cons of drinking coffee is a stained
smile, but the beverage can also have a positive effect on teeth.
According to a 2009 article published in the Wall Street Journal, people
who drink coffee are less likely to have cavities. Roasted coffee beans
have antibacterial effects against microorganisms like Streptococcus,
which play a hand in causing tooth decay.
7. Coffee can help prevent/stop headaches
Have
you ever wondered why caffeine is one of the main ingredients in
migraine medication like Excedrin Migraine? WebMD explains that blood
vessels increase in size during a migraine-- caffeine works to decrease
the size of blood vessels before they can affect nerves in the brain.
So, drinking coffee in the early stages of a headache can help minimize
the severity later on.