Top 4 Health Benefits of Coffee

Coffee is one of the world’s most popular drinks. It is said to be the second behind water. The popularity of coffee shop chains such as Starbucks and Costa shows that coffee isn’t going anywhere.

People drink coffee in the morning due to its caffeine content. According to the Oxford Dictionary, caffeine is an alkaloid compound and is a stimulant of the central nervous system.

From the UK I mostly grew up drinking tea. My family didn’t drink coffee. It never appealed to me because I did not see anyone drinking it around me. The overall impression I got of coffee is that it wasn’t good for you.

I had my first cup of coffee at age 19. To say I wasn’t prepared for the bitter taste of it is an understatement. It can take some getting used to.

Shortly after that, I started my first job at a school where the aroma of coffee hit me every morning during staff briefings and in the classrooms.

I decided to try out different forms of coffee like expresso (bad idea) and lattes. I still have a cup of coffee here and there but it’s not a everyday thing. That’s my little journey with coffee.

Below I will list the top 4 benefits of drinking coffee according to studies and research. However, there are many other benefits.

Lowers the risk of Type 2 Diabetes

According to a 2013 study, an increase of more than 1 cup per day over 4 4-year period lowers the risk of Type 2 Diabetes. This is seen as a preventive measure for diabetes. Coffee has a chemical in it called Polyphenols which contain antioxidants that help prevent type 2 diabetes.

Reduce the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease symptoms

According to a large study, drinking coffee 3 cups of coffee a day provides a 29% lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Unfortunately, there is no cure for Parkison’s disease therefore this benefit of drinking coffee can help with preventive measures.

Nootropic Coffee: improves memory and reduces brain fog

During my research, I found out about Nootropic Coffee which I had never heard of before. This is a recent addition to the coffee industry. One of the most popular nootropic coffees that seem to be recommended is the VitaCup due to its mushroom-infused brew with beneficial vitamins.

What are Nootropics?

It was first coined by Cornelius E. Giurgea in 1972–1973 to describe substances that improve cognitive function. An example of Nootropic is Bacopa Monnieri which is an herbal supplement used to reduce reaction times and improve memory. Nootropics overall are known as “cognitive enhancers” and “smart drugs”. It is said to improve memory and boost productivity by enhancing your focus. It is based on the improvement of overall cognitive function.

Nootropics coffees such as VitaCup and Superhuman are recommended by HealthNews. They are infused with five essential B vitamins. Superhuman has also been recommended for gut health.

The Heart

Yes, coffee is known to increase your heart rate due to its caffeine content however several studies have shown it is also beneficial to heart health and a balanced diet.

According to studies from the American College of Cardiology, drinking 2 to 3 cups of coffee a day can lower the risk of heart disease. Peter M. Kistler who was the study’s senior author states:

“We found coffee drinking had either a neutral effect — meaning that it did no harm — or was associated with benefits to heart health.”

It also matters how you take your coffee. Black coffee when taken filtered is more beneficial than coffee with sugars and creamers added to it. The addition of this can see an increase in blood sugar and fat content. The key is moderation.

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