Is Coffee Really Good For You?

Ah coffee, the one beverage most of us need every morning to not only get us ready for our day but to refrain from being given prison time … kidding! The health effects of coffee are controversial and whilst past studies have suggested coffee might have a dark side, newer research suggests that it may actually provide some health benefits. If you have pondered the question “is coffee really good for me?” then this is the article for you. Let’s enhance our knowledge, you beautiful people. 

Good news alert! Study after study has indicated that our favourite morning beverage is jam packed with substances that may help guard against conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease. Coffee also contains antioxidants and other active substances that may reduce internal inflammation and protect against disease; stated by Diane Vizthum, a research nutritionist for Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. 

Other research also shows that coffee drinkers have a lower risk of diabetes, stroke, depression and even some cancers. There are even whispers that coffee can make you live longer. However experts do acknowledge that caffeine could have negative effects on your body and if you’ve ever had one cup too many then you would have experienced a racing heart, an upset stomach and difficulty sleeping. It is recommended that you limit your caffeine consumption to 400 milligrams per day or less. 

So what are some of the health benefits of coffee? Well to start, coffee supports happiness as researchers found that drinking coffee is linked to positive emotions, including pleasure, kindness, affection, satisfaction, calm and friendship. A study conducted at Harvard showed that over 50,000 women found that depression risk decreased when their caffeinated coffee consumption increased. 

Coffee is also linked to lower rates of diseases and certain cancers, including breast, colorectal, endometrial and prostate as well as heart disease and Parkinson’s disease. In terms of brain health, coffee ups your alertness and improves your memory for up to 24 hours after consumption. 

Coffee contains antioxidants, which have been linked to health protection. Chlorogenic acid, a polyphenol abundant in coffee, has been shown to reduce inflammation, and it may play a key role in protection against chronic diseases, including obesity.

Coffee may even give your workout a bit of a boost! Something we all need sometimes. Caffeine has been shown to enhance athletic performances, increase muscular strength, improve circulation, endurance, and power and reduce pain. 

So there you have it, the answer to the frequently asked “is coffee really good for us?” I think it might be time to go and grab a cup of Joe.