Coffee is consumed by many people everywhere in the world. You will see people drinking coffee at work, during breaks, to help them study, and sometimes to as more of a social thing like an excuse to catch up with friends.
There are advantages and disadvantages of drinking coffee. The caffeine in the coffee is an addictive component which can deter some people, as well as cause some negative side effects such as increasing anxiety or giving you the jitters. But it also has also beneficial effects on the brain, skin, and body as a result of coffee’s antioxidants and nutrients. Here’s a list of some good reasons to drink coffee
Physical Performance and Brain Enhancement
If you feel tired and can’t function properly, drinking coffee can increase your energy levels. It can also affect performance during physical activity, and result in greater muscular output or endurance as well as improving reaction times.
Not does coffee make you feel more alert, it improves cognitive functioning. Better concentration, decision making, and ability to plan. The caffeine improves the performance of different areas of the of brain function including those associated with memory, reaction time, positive emotions, and overall function. With these effects, studies have observed that caffeine can increase the performance from 11 percent to 12 percent on average.
Burn Fat
One underreported reason for drinking coffee daily is that caffeine is thought to have positive effects on weight loss. A slight increase in metabolism can result in breaking down body fat as fuel. Numerous studies show that caffeine can increase the metabolic rate by 3 percent to 11 percent, but the effects will lessen long-term. Also, the magnesium and potassium from the coffee help counteract cravings for sugary foods and snacks.
Lower The Risk of Health Problems
Being a regular coffee drinker has been linked to the prevention of some serious diseases compared to the non-drinkers. Studies show that when you are a coffee drinker, you have a reduced risk of developing type II diabetes, a disease with unusually high blood sugars, by 23-50%. Coffee drinkers over 65 years old may have lower rates of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Cancer is one of the top causes of death in general, and liver cancer is one of top cause of cancer death in the world, while colorectal cancer ranks fourth. A person who drinks 4-5 cups of coffee a day lessens the risk of colorectal cancer up to 15%, and for liver cancer drinking coffee reduces the risk by up to 40%.
Fight Depression
Do you suffer from chronic depression? Drinking coffee has been shown to have beneficial effects on mood, by boosting the production of the neurotransmitters which lift your mood. Studies have shown that if you drink 2 or more cups per day, you will have a 20 percent lower risk of becoming depressed.
Health benefits of coffee: Summary
While there are some positives to regular coffee consumption, there is also reason to be cautious with consumption if suffering from a heart condition, anxiety, during pregnancy, or with certain medications. It is always a good idea to check with your health practitioner about whether you need to limit your caffeine intake.
For otherwise healthy individuals, coffee can be a tasty beverage that helps you feel a little more alert and comes with some extra health benefits. Use your own best judgment in choosing whether or not to drink coffee.