How Coffee Effects Your Health
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Written By: Matt Bradley
Recent clinical studies have shown no connection between coffee and an increased risk of heart disease or cancer. Contrary to that thinking there have been studies that found an association between coffee consumption and decreased overall mortality and possibly cardiovascular mortality, although this may not be true in younger people who drink large amounts of coffee
Drink Up For Health
Two cups of coffee daily helps reduce post workout soreness by up to 48%
Coffee contains fiber, two cups of coffee has up to 3.6 grams of fiber in it
Studies have shown that both coffee and decaf lower the liver enzyme levels of those that imbibe
Drinking at least 6 cups per day had a 22% lower risk of diabetes
There is substantial evidence that coffee can aid in protecting against Alzheimer’s disease
Potential for reducing suicide risk and depression
Swedish research reveals that coffee drinking reduces the risk of Parkinson’s even with those that are genetically predisposed to it
Consuming 3-5 cups of coffee a day people are less likely to show the beginning signs of heart disease
Stronger DNA – Coffee drinkers had far less spontaneous DNA strand breakage
Decreased Colorectal Cancer Risk, even light consumption of coffee can reduce the odds of colorectal cancer by 26%
These healthful coffee facts came from our friends at the Caffeine Informer:
Caffeine Informer | 7 Good Reasons to Drink Coffee
Coffee Drinkers Are Likely More Active And Healthy
Coffee consumption in the mindset of healthy thinkers have come to realize that people that consume coffee on the regular are likely more active than those that don’t. In turn this increased level of activity on a daily basis. Therefore being more active is going to mean that you are less susceptible to all types of diseases and ailments. So some of these health benefits are not being attributed to the coffee drinking and what is contained within it but more the lifestyles that coffee drinkers are leading and the physical and mental health characteristics that these people demonstrate.
Do Coffee Drinkers Have A Healthier Diet Or Do They Just Eat Better?
Further simplifying this thinking if these people are drinking coffee and particularly if it is there go to beverage maybe it is clear that they are not consuming sugary drinks that are harmful to both their health and their appetites to eating foods that are more healthful. I.e. if you fill up on sugary drinks you have a decreased appetite and are less likely to eat frequently in smaller doses which is also known to have healthful benefits. Think of it this way sugar satiates people’s appetites and lulls there metabolisms into a restive state. Whereas it is known that eating multiple small meals throughout the day(6) and keeping your metabolism working means more of what you eat is burned up instead of being stored as fat.
Some would say the same of coffee decreasing your appetite, however I think its well proven that coffee helps to stimulate your digestion unlike sugary drinks and ends up giving you a stronger appetite once the stimulus wears off. This may be more of a personal observation as a bonafide coffee junkie. Have you ever had a cup of coffee after a big meal and felt that full bloated feeling easing away?
The Bad Aspects Of Coffee
Clinically there have been no studies that have been capable of confirming long term detrimental health effects. With that being said there are a handful of immediate effects associated with overindulging in coffee. I’ll list a few here and I’d be willing to be that you’ve likely experienced these.
Temporary Insomnia
Nervousness
Restlessness
Irritability
Upset Stomach
Rapid Heartbeat
Muscle Tremors
Additionally many people have experienced some form of withdrawal from curbing or all together stopping their coffee drinking habit.
Headache
Fatigue
Irritability
Depressed Mood
Difficulty focusing or concentrating
A Couple Of The Less Quantified Coffee Elements
We all hear how amazing blueberries are for us, as they are high in antioxidants. Believe it or not Coffee has way more Antioxidants than any other food or drink we consume(1). Secondly you’ll find that coffee is full of chemicals that have the effect of reducing inflammation. The benefit of reducing inflammation are many including both reducing disease and decreasing the effects of aging.
If you haven’t guessed it yet I am a java junkie for sure and hope my bias has not tainted my ability to research and write about this topic. I can tell you I am more active than most people I know and likely more fit. Not saying this is entirely due to caffeine indulgence but it would be reasonable to assume that it is a contributor.
1 Gilman, Victoria. “Coffee Buzz: Drink Is Top Antioxidant Source in U.S.” National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 31 Aug. 2005. Web. 27 July 2017.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/08/0831_050831_coffee.html