13 Useful Health Benefits of Coffee

Is drinking coffee good for your health? Several scientific studies show that its moderate consumption has several benefits. 

If you are an unconditional fan of caffeine, surely on more than one occasion you have asked yourself if drinking coffee is good for your health. Although there are studies that indicate possible negative effects, the truth is that the results of a good part of the research show us that, consumed in moderation, coffee has more benefits for our organism than negative effects. 

Caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive drug in the world. It is a substance that stimulates the central nervous system, so it helps us to activate when we wake up in the morning or avoid drowsiness after eating, and also gives us energy to face the tasks that lie ahead. 

Of course, for coffee to be beneficial for health is important not to abuse it and not exceed the limit of recommended intake of caffeine. And is that, exceeded 400 mg a day of this stimulating substance, we can suffer from insomnia, restlessness or accelerated heart rate. Below we detail what are the 13 benefits of coffee for health.

1. Contains essential nutrients for the body

Coffee, in addition to water and caffeine, contains other essential nutrients for the body. It is rich in riboflavin (vitamin B2), essential for the production of red blood cells, contains pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) that helps control cholesterol, and niacin (vitamin B5). Besides, it contains minerals such as manganese, potassium and magnesium.

2. Coffee is a source of natural antioxidants

It is also a valuable source of antioxidants, essential to combat the action of free radicals. In fact, coffee is ranked No. 6 out of the top 50 foods that contain antioxidants, according to The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Coffee has a high content of antioxidants such as polyphenols, bioactive compounds that prevent the functional and structural alterations of various diseases.

3. It helps us stay alert and improves concentration

Coffee is a psychoactive drink with immediate effect. Once ingested, caffeine begins to act by blocking adenosine, a neurotransmitter that causes the brain to secrete substances such as dopamine or norepinephrine and increases brain activity.

It helps maintain alertness, improves memory, concentration and increases energy levels. Taking it in the morning will make you start the day with more enthusiasm.

4. Take care of the health of the liver

A study carried out by researchers from the Ricerche Farmalogiche Institute Mario Negri (Italy) revealed that consuming coffee reduces the risk of liver cancer by 40%. And if you drink 3 cups of coffee a day, the percentage increases by up to 50%.

Alexandra Tavani, one of the researchers who participated in the study, also explained that coffee is essential to prevent cirrhosis. The more quantity consumed, the lower the presence of the enzyme gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase (GGT) in the blood, one of the main biomarkers and indicators of this disease.

5. It has a powerful fat burning action

One of the most attractive benefits of coffee is that it helps to lose weight. The coffee accelerates the metabolism favoring the burning of fats and calories. This substance is present in some of the most effective weight loss supplements in the market.

Also, it has very few calories if you take it without sugar. Although you can find something complicated if you do not like the taste. If this is your case, try adding a little cinnamon to boost your fat burning action.

6. Increase physical and sports performance

Caffeine increases adrenaline levels and promotes the release of free fatty acids, responsible for providing energy to the body. It is not surprising, then, that many athletes drink coffee before starting physical activity.

7. Improves cardiovascular health

Although it is contraindicated in cases of hypertension, the truth is that coffee itself is not bad for the heart. On the contrary, according to a study by Dr. Murray A. Mittleman of the Institute for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases, consuming it on a daily basis in a moderate way reduces the risk of suffering from an obstruction of the arteries.

8. Prevents some neurodegenerative diseases

Coffee is especially important in preventing some neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's. Of course, you will have to take it with caffeine because this compound is the one that brings this benefit.

9. Reduces the risk of suffering from some types of cancer

There are many types of research that attribute anticancer properties to coffee. In fact, recent studies have determined that it may be especially important when it comes to fighting colon and prostate cancer.

10. Reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes

Drinking coffee is one of the habits that can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. This has been confirmed by a study conducted by the University of California which concluded that participants who drank more than one cup of coffee for 4 years reduced up to 10% the risk of suffering from this disease with respect to those who did not take it regularly.

The explanation? Coffee increases plasma levels of globulin, a protein that controls the activity of sex hormones and prevents the development of type 2 diabetes.

11. Helps fight depression

Another benefit that is attributed to coffee is that it helps prevent depression. Some researchers from Italy and Poland came together to carry out a study that revealed that coffee is a great ally to fight against this disease. Try to take it moderately because a high dose could have the opposite effect.

12. Protect the eyes

Coffee also protects the eyesight. This has been shown in research published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry that ensures that coffee prevents the deterioration of sight and even blindness.

13. Can reduce the risk of having a heart attack

It is known that caffeine increases blood pressure, but does not increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, but quite the opposite: it seems to prevent heart attacks.

One of the highest academic authorities in this matter, Professor Peter Martin, who directs the Institute of Coffee Studies at Vanderbilt University, has criticized the "mismatch" between caffeine and heart disease: "Last June a report was published that includes several of the studies carried out during the last decade that, precisely, relate consumption in moderate quantities with a reduction in the risk of suffering cardiac insufficiencies ". A few benefits that would only disappear if you consume more than four or five coffees a day.

 We have already seen the benefits of coffee but like everything else, we must know how to take it in moderation. Drinking too much coffee can cause some very unpleasant side effects. Thus, according to a study carried out by researchers at the University of Oklahoma (USA) "caffeine can cause symptoms of anxiety in normal individuals, especially in vulnerable patients, such as people with pre-existing anxiety disorders." In addition, "caffeine consumption has also been associated with symptoms of depression."

As you have seen, the benefits of coffee are numerous as well as important; Drinking coffee in a balanced way helps our health, so coffee lovers have one more reason to brag about passion every day with their coffee cup in their hand.

It has become clear that coffee helps our health to stay in shape and also gives us moments of relaxation while enjoying its rich flavor and aroma. Today there are studies for everything but the best thing about coffee is, without a doubt, that we can prepare it in a thousand ways. What do you say? Do you fancy another cup?