By: Cheryl Manzano Luis
We always think that drinking coffee can provide energy boost and can make us awake when we needed to finish some work. Some also think that having a coffee break can ease your stress and make you relax. However, according to some research, it can also offer some other important health benefits, such as a lower risk of liver disease, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease and cardiovascular disease.
Coffee contains a number of useful nutrients, including riboflavin (vitamin B-2), niacin (vitamin B-3), magnesium, potassium, and various phenolic compounds, or antioxidants. Some experts suggest that these and other ingredients in coffee can benefit the human body in various ways.
Moderate coffee intake—about 2–5 cups a day—is linked to a lower likelihood of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, liver and endometrial cancers, Parkinson’s disease, and depression. It’s even possible that people who drink coffee can reduce their risk of early death.
Coffee can boost metabolism. In research findings they suggest that caffeine can improves weight management through boosting metabolic rate and burning fat. Therefore, that caffeine may show promise in the treatment of obesity, although more research is needed.
It can help with blood sugar balance. Drinking coffee moderately may lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, although more research is needed. Consequently, there is still some debate over the suitability of coffee for those with type 2 diabetes.
It can support brain function. There have been numerous studies examining a link between drinking coffee and protection against neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s, including papers published in 2010, 2011 and 2015. The findings to date have been inconsistent and larger studies with longer follow-up periods are still required.
May increase energy and performance. When coffee is consumed, it is absorbed into the bloodstream and travels to the brain where it ‘fires up’ certain neurons which may improve memory, mood, energy and cognitive function, if consumed in moderation. Other reports suggest drinking coffee before exercise may reduce rates of exertion and potentially improve athletic performance.
“The overall evidence has been pretty convincing that coffee has been more healthful than harmful in terms of health outcomes,” said Frank Hu, chair of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, in an April 5, 2021, article in Discover. “For most people, moderate coffee consumption can be incorporated into a healthy diet.”
“Coffee still has potential risks, mostly due to its high caffeine content. For example, it can temporarily raise blood pressure. Women who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding need to be cautious about caffeine. High intake of boiled, unfiltered coffee has been associated with mild increase in cholesterol levels,” according to Mayo Clinic.
The bottom line? Your coffee habit is probably fine and may even have some benefits. But if you have side effects from coffee, such as heartburn, nervousness or insomnia, consider cutting back.
Drink coffee moderately, because too much caffeine can also cause anxiety in people with panic or anxiety disorders.
