The first sip of that warm, comforting brew on a Sunday morning—even the rushed, running-out-the-door cup of Joe on the way to work on Monday: no matter how you have it, we all love our coffee. Now you have 18 more reasons to justify your bean juice intake.
Pre-Workout
Skip the chemical-loaded pre-workout and just grab a nice, natural cup of coffee. Some studies have shown that drinking coffee can improve physical performance and endurance when consumed before exercising. The caffeine in coffee gets your heart pumping, which helps circulation during your workout.
Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Parkinson’s
Healthline reports, “According to one review of 13 studies, people who regularly consumed caffeine had a significantly lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. What’s more, caffeine consumption also slowed the progression of Parkinson’s disease over time.” Reviews also showed studies supporting a lower risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia with coffee consumption.
Antioxidants
Coffee is a major source of antioxidants in the diet, which may help protect against chronic diseases. Coffee has more antioxidants than green tea and cocoa, two great antioxidant sources. There are approximately 1,000 antioxidants in unprocessed coffee beans, and hundreds more develop during the roasting process.
Type 2 Diabetes
It has been recently proven that the danger of suffering from diabetes drops by 7% for every cup of coffee consumed. Now this doesn’t mean your extra caramel, 6-pump mocha with heavy whip will have the opposite effect for diabetes, but a cup of black or close-to-black coffee will help.
Lowers the Risk of Some Cancers
Studies suggest that frequent coffee drinking is linked to lower rates of breast, colon, and liver cancers. Coffee Science says that phytochemicals in coffee act as buffers that stave off the chances of tumors bursting up at very slight exposure to carcinogenic compounds. Researchers have also found a relationship between frequent coffee drinking and lower rates of endometrial, prostate, rectal, and liver cancers.
Metabolism Booster
Coffee contains high levels of antioxidants and nutrients such as riboflavin, magnesium, and potassium, which can boost metabolism and lower the risk of type 2 diabetes. Coffee could even alter fat storage, support gut health, and increase physical activity, all of which may be beneficial for weight management.
Great for the Garden
Coffee is rich in nitrogen, making it an excellent fertilizer for gardens and a deterrent for pests like snails and slugs. This may not seem health-related, but for those using gardening as a stress-relief tool, it is. Fewer pests and a happier garden equal a happier gardener.
Reduces Risk of Heart Disease
Coffee consumption has been associated with a 15% reduced risk of cardiovascular disease when drinking three to five cups per day, according to a publication in PubMed. Research shows that “moreover, in comparison to no coffee intake, usual consumption of 1–5 cups/day is associated with a lower risk of death.”
Reduces Alcohol Damage
Coffee may not sober you up when you’ve had a few too many, but it may help reduce liver damage from alcohol, with a study showing a 44% lower risk of developing liver cirrhosis among coffee drinkers. Coffee drinkers may also have a lower risk of death from chronic liver disease, liver scarring, and liver cancer. We’re unsure if espresso martinis count.
Reduces Risk of Suicide
A recent study shows that “underlying pathophysiological mechanisms in depression are also present in metabolic syndrome (MetS), obesity, and cardiovascular disease (CVD).” There is a correlation between coffee drinkers and lower rates of depression due to the antioxidants in coffee, though an overall diet may contribute as well. The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health says research shows that “drinking several cups of coffee daily appears to reduce the risk of suicide in men and women by about 50%.”
Guards Against Gout
Many believe gout is caused by high uric acid concentrations. The antioxidants in coffee reduce the level of uric acid by reducing unhealthy insulin levels. A recent study showed that “the risk of gout was 22% lower with a coffee intake of 1–3 cups/day… compared with individuals who did not drink coffee.”
Strengthens DNA
Dark roast coffee decreases breakage in DNA strands, which occur naturally but can lead to cancer or tumors if not repaired by your cells. According to Science Alert, “research found that those who drank three cups of a dark roast coffee blend per day experienced 27 percent fewer DNA strand breaks in their white blood cells than those who drank water instead.”
Lowers Risk of Gallstones
Coffee drinkers are 25% less likely to develop gallstones. The Journal of Internal Medicine published, “A coffee-induced increase in hepatic bilirubin conjugation may play a role in protection against gallstones. Also, coffee has been reported to increase gallbladder motility, which in turn could reduce the risk of gallstone formation.”
Cellulite Reduction
Coffee may help reduce the appearance of cellulite on the skin. Used as a scrub to exfoliate, it can smooth and even out the appearance of skin. Also, the caffeine content can reduce cellulite by dilating blood vessels beneath the skin and improving blood flow.
Anti-Aging Benefits for Skin
Applying coffee directly to your skin may help decrease the appearance of sun spots, redness, and fine lines. One study found a direct correlation between drinking coffee and a decrease in photoaging effects. You can find caffeine and coffee in many beauty products on the shelf or make them for yourself at home.
Vitamin B3 for Skin Cancer
Coffee is a rich source of vitamin B3 (niacin). Niacin is created in coffee once it has been roasted, breaking down the trigonelline compound. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, niacin may help prevent nonmelanoma skin cancers and can prevent other skin growths.
Dark Circle Treatment
Coffee may also help treat stubborn dark circles under the eyes, according to Healthline. This is because the caffeine content in coffee is thought to help dilate blood vessels that contribute to dark circles. Create a paste with used coffee grounds and olive oil, pat under the eyes, and remove after 10 minutes.
Acne Treatment
Used as a scrub, coffee grounds are not only a wonderful exfoliant but can also help fight off harmful bacteria. The chlorogenic acid (CGA) in coffee has both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Double up your benefits while using the spent grounds from your morning coffee to create the scrub.
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