Coffee's Health Benefits

I don’t know about you, but the second I wake up I rush downstairs to make myself a cup of coffee. The smell of fresh coffee brewing and the sounds of the coffee pot percolating, leave me eager to pour myself a cup. It seems as if not that long ago, coffee used to get a really bad rap. And now, it has become a very talked about subject that appears to boast many health benefits.

Although there still may be a few downsides to coffee such as increasing one’s heart rate and blood pressure, it appears as if the good could far outweigh the bad. Studies show that drinking coffee in moderation, a few cups a day, may actually be good for you. For starters, coffee (caffeinated and decaf) is loaded with antioxidants. Antioxidants help prevent damage to the tissues caused by free radicals. And now, it appears as if there is new evidence that supports the fact that coffee may help with these other conditions as well:

Prevents diabetes –studies have shown that moderate coffee consumption (a few cups a day) may help to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes. This is true for both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee

May lower one’s risk for heart disease and stroke- studies have shown that women who drink more than one cup of coffee per day, may be less likely to suffer a stroke. Studies also show that moderate to high consumption of caffeine in coffee may help reduce the risk for heart disease.

Decreased risk of Parkinson’s disease- studies show that people who drink coffee on a regular basis, may be more likely to not develop Parkinson’s disease.

Decreased risk of Alzheimer’s disease- studies have shown that the caffeine in coffee particularly, may offer protection against developing Alzheimer’s.

Decreased risk of liver cancer- Studies show that coffee may protect against cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer.

Decreased risk of developing fatal prostate cancer- Men who drink six or more cups of coffee a day may be able to lower their risk of developing this kind of cancer by up to 60%. This holds true for men who consume both caffeinated and decaf coffee.

So if you’re among the millions of people that need to have their coffee fix to keep them going throughout the day, do it without guilt. It may actually benefit your health.

Important: Because some people may be prone to adverse reactions when drinking coffee, please make sure you consult your doctor before drinking it.