Coffee is adored by many for its taste as well as its ability to jumpstart our mornings and help us get reenergized during a busy day. Besides these advantages, coffee also holds several health benefits. Let’s look at 5 reasons how it can help your health if you consume it on a regular basis.
1. Protects against Type 2 diabetes
According to a study by Harvard researchers, increasing coffee intake by more than a cup a day over a four-year period lowered the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 11%, while decreasing coffee intake by one cup per day increased the risk of Type 2 diabetes by 17%. This may be due to the antioxidants found in coffee, which affect insulin sensitivity, inflammation and metabolism, factors all contributing to the development of the disease. However, consuming coffee is not recommended for those having Type 2 diabetes already, as it can further raise blood sugar and insulin levels in people with the condition.
2. Helps maintain liver health
Research suggests that both regular and decaf coffee have a protective effect on the liver. Drinking one cup of coffee per day has shown to lower the risk of death from chronic liver disease by 15%, while drinking 4 cups per day has been tied to a 71% decrease in risk. Moreover, drinking more than 2 cups of coffee per day has been linked to lower rates of liver cancer, as well as liver scarring in people who have Hepatitis C.
3. Lowers the risk of dementia
According to research, drinking coffee lowers the risk of Alzheimer disease in older adults. Consuming 2 to 3 cups of coffee per day is linked to a 65% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Moreover, higher consumption of coffee is also associated with decreased risk of Parkinson’s disease.4. Lowers risk of depression
Studies show that consuming coffee has a positive effect on mental health, as each cup consumed during a given day is linked to an 8% lower risk of depression. This may be attributed to the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and microbiome-promoting properties of coffee, as well as caffeine’s ability to block certain receptors from binding with the chemical adenosine in the brain that causes fatigue and depressed mood.5. Promotes heart health
According to studies, those drinking 3 to 5 cups of coffee per day have a 15% lower risk of heart disease than those who do not consume any coffee or consume more than 5 cups per day. This benefit of coffee may be due to its ability to improve blood vessels’ control over blood flow and blood pressure. For this very same reason, however, people with unmanaged blood pressure should always consume coffee with caution.
