We all love the smell of coffee being brewed in the morning...well at least I do. In fact, a day without coffee just doesn't feel complete. While it sometimes gets a bad rap, coffee in it's simplest form actually hosts some amazing health benefits that you could be enjoying. Let's look at the top 10 reasons why coffee should be a part of your morning routine.
1.) It calms your nerves
While too much coffee can make you jittery, the right amount can make you calm and collected. Researchers at the Seoul National University found that coffee consumption reduces proteins in the brain that are linked to stress. The simple aroma of coffee had a significant effect on decreasing these proteins.
2.) It is beneficial for your liver (especially if you drink alcohol)
For alcohol-drinkers, coffee could be the ultimate anti-venom. In a study posted in 2006, a single cup of coffee per day was shown to prevent the development of liver cirrhosis- an autoimmune disease that could lead to liver failure and liver cancer. Benefits were shown in the decreased development of Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease as well as Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.
3.) It reduces the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease
In 2012, a study was done on coffee's role in the control of Parkinson's Disease. The study concluded that people who drank coffee regularly were less likely to develop Parkinson's Disease. For those already suffering from Parkinson's, coffee was shown to help control their movement symptoms.
4.) It makes you feel happier
We have all felt that jolt of energy and happiness after a good cup of coffee. Well, this isn't a placebo. A study done by the National Institute of Health showed that individuals who drank 4 or more cups of coffee per day were less likely to develop depression due to a high level of antioxidant consumption. Thus, you feel a whole lot happier.
5.) It has been linked to decreased suicide rates
While this is a little dark, we feel like it's a valid point. A study done by the Harvard School of Public Health determined that drinking between two and four cups of coffee can reduce the risk of suicide in men and women by about 50 percent. The proposed reason is because coffee acts as a mild antidepressant by aiding in the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline.
6.) It can reduce your risk of skin cancer (for women)
Good news, ladies! Brigham Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School did a study on coffee's role in skin cancer among women. They concluded that women who drink coffee are much less likely to develop skin cancer than those who don't.
7.) It can make you a better athlete
While coffee may give you a burst of energy, it appears that coffee's benefits are long-lasting. Caffeine increases the number of fatty acids in the bloodstream, which allows athletes' muscles to absorb and burn those fats for fuel, therefore saving the body's small reserves of carbohydrates for later on in the exercise.
8.) It lowers your risk of Type II Diabetes
I want to preface this with the fact that indulging in high-sugar coffee beverages will completely negate it's Diabetes-busting properties. According to a study by The American Chemical Society, people who drink 4 or more cups of coffee per day reduce their chance of developing Type II Diabetes by 50%. Bonus, the risk decreases by 7% with every additional cup.
9.) It can delay Alzheimer's
Researchers from the University of South Florida and the University of Miami found that people older than 65 who had higher blood levels of caffeine developed Alzheimer's disease two to four years later than others with lower caffeine.
10.) It can make you smarter
CNN reports that coffee allows your brain to work in a much more efficient and smarter way. TIME reporter, Michael Lemonick, says, "When you're sleep-deprived and you take caffeine, pretty much anything you measure will improve: reaction time, vigilance, attention, logical reasoning -- most of the complex functions you associate with intelligence."
If you aren't sold on coffee by now, then maybe you need to have a cup or two =). Coffee can be a healthy addition to your balanced diet. To prevent excess calorie consumption, steer clear of high-sugar coffee beverages. Stick with the simple choices and savor the natural flavor of coffee. Our go-to drink is a 20-ounce Americano with about 2 Tbsp of half-and-half and 2 packets of Stevia. Enjoy!
Melissa Stoner R.D.
Registered Dietitian
Certified Personal Trainer
Professional Chef
1.) It calms your nerves
While too much coffee can make you jittery, the right amount can make you calm and collected. Researchers at the Seoul National University found that coffee consumption reduces proteins in the brain that are linked to stress. The simple aroma of coffee had a significant effect on decreasing these proteins.
2.) It is beneficial for your liver (especially if you drink alcohol)
For alcohol-drinkers, coffee could be the ultimate anti-venom. In a study posted in 2006, a single cup of coffee per day was shown to prevent the development of liver cirrhosis- an autoimmune disease that could lead to liver failure and liver cancer. Benefits were shown in the decreased development of Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease as well as Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.
3.) It reduces the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease
In 2012, a study was done on coffee's role in the control of Parkinson's Disease. The study concluded that people who drank coffee regularly were less likely to develop Parkinson's Disease. For those already suffering from Parkinson's, coffee was shown to help control their movement symptoms.
4.) It makes you feel happier
We have all felt that jolt of energy and happiness after a good cup of coffee. Well, this isn't a placebo. A study done by the National Institute of Health showed that individuals who drank 4 or more cups of coffee per day were less likely to develop depression due to a high level of antioxidant consumption. Thus, you feel a whole lot happier.
5.) It has been linked to decreased suicide rates
While this is a little dark, we feel like it's a valid point. A study done by the Harvard School of Public Health determined that drinking between two and four cups of coffee can reduce the risk of suicide in men and women by about 50 percent. The proposed reason is because coffee acts as a mild antidepressant by aiding in the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline.
6.) It can reduce your risk of skin cancer (for women)
Good news, ladies! Brigham Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School did a study on coffee's role in skin cancer among women. They concluded that women who drink coffee are much less likely to develop skin cancer than those who don't.
7.) It can make you a better athlete
While coffee may give you a burst of energy, it appears that coffee's benefits are long-lasting. Caffeine increases the number of fatty acids in the bloodstream, which allows athletes' muscles to absorb and burn those fats for fuel, therefore saving the body's small reserves of carbohydrates for later on in the exercise.
8.) It lowers your risk of Type II Diabetes
I want to preface this with the fact that indulging in high-sugar coffee beverages will completely negate it's Diabetes-busting properties. According to a study by The American Chemical Society, people who drink 4 or more cups of coffee per day reduce their chance of developing Type II Diabetes by 50%. Bonus, the risk decreases by 7% with every additional cup.
9.) It can delay Alzheimer's
Researchers from the University of South Florida and the University of Miami found that people older than 65 who had higher blood levels of caffeine developed Alzheimer's disease two to four years later than others with lower caffeine.
10.) It can make you smarter
CNN reports that coffee allows your brain to work in a much more efficient and smarter way. TIME reporter, Michael Lemonick, says, "When you're sleep-deprived and you take caffeine, pretty much anything you measure will improve: reaction time, vigilance, attention, logical reasoning -- most of the complex functions you associate with intelligence."
If you aren't sold on coffee by now, then maybe you need to have a cup or two =). Coffee can be a healthy addition to your balanced diet. To prevent excess calorie consumption, steer clear of high-sugar coffee beverages. Stick with the simple choices and savor the natural flavor of coffee. Our go-to drink is a 20-ounce Americano with about 2 Tbsp of half-and-half and 2 packets of Stevia. Enjoy!
Melissa Stoner R.D.
Registered Dietitian
Certified Personal Trainer
Professional Chef