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12 Impressive Health Benefits of Coffee and side effects

Did you know what are the health benefits of coffee and side effects? Coffee is an everyday beverage that is consumed in most houses. The coffee beans are an individual’s best partner when you are in stress, you want to be active and energetic, etc. People might think that coffee contains only caffeine and it is the main ingredient responsible for its beneficial effects.

Coffee, in addition to caffeine, is composed of Chlorogenic acid, Theobromine, Theophylline, B vitamins, Manganese, Potassium, Magnesium, and Phosphorus. Coffee is rich in antioxidants that provide various health benefits.

Caffeine can be obtained from soft drinks, tea and chocolate a swell but coffee is the best source. It is a powerful stimulant which increases

  • Energy levels
  • Brain function
  • metabolic rate, and
  • exercise

Coffee is consumed all over the world either as a habit or as an occasional beverage. Many people would love to have a cup of coffee early in the morning to give a fresh start to the day.

But one must watch the time of the day while consuming coffee as the stimulant effect might not let you sleep peacefully at night and also watch on the numbers of cups.

Health Benefits of Coffee

Coffee has several beneficial effects and this is what happens when you drink coffee every day. Here are the 10 health benefits of coffee for men and women-

1. Stimulates Brain Function

Is coffee good for health? Yes, Coffee is known to boost brain function for a short duration as it alters the neurotransmitter levels in the brain promoting the stimulant effect to be predominant and makes you active.

It stimulates the release of norepinephrine and dopamine levels and inhibits the release of adenosine, the inhibitory neurotransmitter. Because of brain function boosting property, caffeine improves mood, reaction time and vigilance.

2. Depression

The stimulant effect of caffeine prevents inhibitory neurotransmitter release preventing bad moods and depression:

3. Decreased Suicidal Tendency

The stimulant effect decreases the suicidal tendency and produces feel go feeling.

4. Boost Metabolism

Coffee in caffeine promotes the metabolism of sugars preventing diabetes. It also enhances the fat burning process. It releases an epinephrine hormone that signals for breakdown o fats.

The resting metabolic rate (RMR) is proportional o the intake of coffee, which means higher you consume coffee higher is the rate of metabolism. Of course, the individual has to have enough physical activity to lose weight.

5. Prevent Cancer

Liver cancer is one of the leading cancers resulting in deaths. Consumption of coffee seems to have lowered the risk by 40%. It also reduces the risk of oral and throat cancers.

According to the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, the risk of melanoma is reduced with increased consumption of coffee.

6. Liver Diseases

People often damage their liver because of unhealthy habits. Liver cirrhosis patients cause scarring of the liver. People who drink more than 4 cups per day are likely to be at lower risk of developing liver cirrhosis. 

Also read: Warning Signs Your Liver is Full of Toxins

7. Gout

According to a study, intake of coffee has reduced the risk of Gout in men.  The antioxidant property of coffee decreases uric acid levels.

8. Multiple Sclerosis

The coffee ingredients have anti-inflammatory properties that also prevent inflammation of nerves and its damage.

Hence it is found to be effective in preventing and controlling multiple sclerosis. An individual should drink at least 4 cups of coffee per day to get the beneficial effects.

9. Protects from Neuro Degenerative Disorders

The antioxidants rich coffee inhibits damage to the neurons and helps in protecting overall brain function. According to a study people who had regularly consumed coffee are likely to be protected from degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Coffee is also known to protect against Parkinson’s disease . In this disease, the neuron which produces dopamine is damaged or killed which later inhibits the normal body functioning. Coffee reduces the risk of Parkinson’s disease.

10. Alleviate Pain

Exercise-induced pain can be reduced by up to 40% by drinking 2 cups of coffee. 

11. Longevity

People who drink coffee are likely to have higher life when compared to non-drinkers as it protects from many ailments.

According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, coffee due to its beneficial effects on nerves, heart, metabolism, etc, prevents many ailments and helps you live longer than non-coffee drinkers.

12. Retinal Protection

Coffee is composed of chlorogenic acid (CGA), a component that has a protective effect on the retina. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a powerful antioxidant that prevents oxidative stress in the retina and protects the eye.

Coffee side Effects

One might assume that the more coffee you drink, the better are the effects on the body, but in reality, it is not true. Too much of anything is bad and so is the coffee.

Increase intake of coffee develops tolerance and one cannot expect the same stimulant effect as it was.

  • Increases the risk of heart diseases (palpitations, increased blood pressure)
  • stunted growth
  • develops dependency and coffee addiction is quite common
  • Stomach ulcers
  • Heartburn
  • Anxiety
  • Panic attacks
  • Reduces sleep quality

Be sure to Read: Benefits of Black Coffee for Skin

How to Drink coffee for Health Benefits

Coffee can be consumed as black coffee without adding any sugar or flavors. Milk and sugars are added to coffee to add taste and to make consumption a pleasurable experience.

This coffee seems to have maximum beneficial effects. Coffee containing milk and sugar has lesser beneficial effects and it can even have detrimental effects on the mouth resulting in cavities.

Coffee is recommended by The USDA’s 2015 dietary guidelines to help maintain overall health and quality of life. Some studies support the beneficial effects of coffee on the body and help in increasing longevity.

Cancer has been emerging as the leading cause of death and coffee seems to prevent the risk of various forms of cancers. Also, coffee has beneficial effects on the heart and prevents hardening of the arteries. It is ideal to drink coffee without milk and sugar, and of course artificially flavoured creamers.

So, friends, we hope that after going through the above benefits of drinking coffee will surely help you.

Dr Maria

MD. Board Certified physician. Fellowship In Family Medicine UK. 8 years of medical experience in Lifestyle-related health disorders. Graduated from AIIMS – All India Institute Of Medical Science, INDIA

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