A coffee a day will keep you from seeing a doctor? Well, not quite. But this delicious pick-me-up has several positive effects on your health. Read here why you should definitely drink coffee!
1. Coffee contains antioxidants
Wow! According to a British study, this brown pick-me-up contains more than 1,000 bioactive substances that can have a positive effect on health. As the researchers report in the "British Medical Journal," three to four cups a day are ideal for preventing chronic diseases, for example. According to the study, this amount reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke by 15 percent.
2. Coffee can reduce the risk of diabetes
Regular coffee consumption reduces the risk of diabetes – at least in some people. This requires that you carry a gene variant that limits the effectiveness of a certain gut hormone. This, in turn, increases your risk of developing diabetes. Coffee stimulates the release of this hormone and can thus compensate for this impairment, according to the hypothesis of a research group from the German Institute of Human Nutrition. According to their study, with each cup of coffee consumed daily, the risk of developing the disease decreases by up to about seven percent.
3. Coffee can protect the skin from cell damage
Some ingredients in coffee appear to protect against cell damage caused by UVB radiation. This is the result of a mammoth American study in which approximately half a million people recorded their dietary habits and UV exposure over a period of ten years. According to the researchers, the results show that four or more cups of coffee per day reduce the risk of skin cancer by about 20 percent.
4. Coffee strengthens concentration
Are you struggling to get going in the morning? Or are you feeling slumped in the afternoon? Clearly, it's time for a coffee! This stimulant promotes concentration. This is because caffeine increases the effect and quantity of neurotransmitters, thus increasing brain activity. You can improve both your reaction time and your overall alertness and alertness by enjoying an espresso or cappuccino.
5. Coffee is good for the brain
Mentally fit into old age: According to a Canadian study, coffee consumption reduces the likelihood of developing dementias such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. This is believed to be due to certain compounds that form during the roasting of the beans.
6. Coffee stimulates the metabolism
Coffee is not only healthy, but also good for your figure—provided, of course, that you use milk and sugar sparingly. Caffeine stimulates the metabolism and helps you burn food more efficiently.
7. Coffee contains niacin
Coffee is one of the foods with particularly high levels of niacin, also known as vitamin B3. This vitamin is involved in vital processes in the body, such as metabolism, cell division, and the immune system. One cup of coffee provides approximately five to ten percent of an adult's daily niacin requirement.
8. Coffee protects against tooth decay
According to researchers at the University of Ancona, several ingredients kill caries-causing bacteria. Chlorogenic acid, nicotinic acid, and trigonelline, in particular, help prevent the formation of harmful plaque, as the scientists demonstrated in the laboratory. Coffee can therefore contribute to dental health—unsweetened, of course.
9. Coffee helps with fluid balance
The myth that coffee dehydrates the body is a persistent one. While it's true that caffeine has a diuretic effect, the only effect is that coffee drinkers need to urinate more frequently. Apart from that, coffee contributes to your hydration just as much as water.
10. Coffee makes you happy
It's no secret that good coffee makes you happy. For one thing, it simply lifts your mood – starting with the delicious smell and ending with the fantastic aroma. Apart from that, caffeine also stimulates the body's release of endogenous happiness hormones, including dopamine.