Unexpected health benefits of drinking coffee in the morning

An estimated 175 million Americans drink coffee every day, which means nearly 3 in 4 people shop for coffee in the morning, drink iced coffee to stay awake in the afternoon, or enjoy espresso with dessert. For many people, coffee is more than just a habit or a way to start the day. Making coffee can be a morning routine, a reason to gather with friends and family, or even a hobby.

Many people think coffee is harmful, but it's not, said Dr. Donald D. Hensrud, medical editor of The Mayo Clinic Diet. In fact, Dr. Hensrud says coffee has some significant health benefits such as reducing the risk of certain chronic diseases and cancer, and even depression. However, there are some important factors and side effects to keep in mind when determining the right amount of coffee for you.

Coffee - an unexpected ally for health : Perhaps it's no surprise that coffee can provide many cognitive benefits, including increased alertness and improved mental performance. Research also shows that moderate coffee drinkers have a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease, one of the most common forms of dementia.

"Coffee drinkers have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, liver disease, certain types of cancer including liver cancer, depression and suicide, kidney stones, gallstones, as well as mortality. overall mortality is lower," Dr. Hensrud said. Additionally, some studies show that coffee consumption may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and overall mortality.

These benefits are not just related to the caffeine content in coffee. According to Dr. Hensrud, this beverage has hundreds of different ingredients, including important micronutrients like magnesium, potassium, niacin and vitamin E, as well as antioxidants that help protect cells from damage. damage and harmful free radicals.

According to this expert, coffee is often the largest and most stable source of antioxidants in the diet of people who drink it regularly. Similarly, according to Vinmec International General Hospital, drinking coffee has a protective effect on the liver. The liver is one of the organs responsible for the most functions in the body, so protecting the liver is extremely necessary. Some medical conditions that can affect the liver include hepatitis, fatty liver, etc., which if left untreated can lead to cirrhosis. In a recent study, people who drank four cups of coffee a day appeared to have up to 80% lower risk of cirrhosis than other people.

In addition, coffee has been shown to protect the body against some types of cancer, especially liver cancer and colorectal cancer. Studies show that people who have a habit of drinking coffee have a 40% lower risk of liver cancer and a 15% lower risk of colorectal cancer. Many studies have proven that coffee does not increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, and even reduces the risk, especially stroke. People who have a habit of drinking coffee have a 20% lower risk of stroke.

However, Dr. Hensrud says coffee — and caffeine in any form — may be linked to an increased risk of miscarriage. Therefore, experts recommend that those who are trying to conceive or are pregnant should limit their caffeine intake to 200 milligrams, equivalent to the amount of caffeine in two 230ml cups of coffee. Keeping consumption even lower may be beneficial, as caffeine can also reduce iron absorption. Finally, some medications can interact with caffeine. Therefore, you should talk to your doctor about possible side effects or drug interactions.

How much coffee is too much? In addition to its health benefits, coffee can cause some side effects. Some may or may not affect you, depending on how much coffee you drink and how your body processes caffeine. According to Dr. Hensrud, common side effects include sleep problems, nervousness, feeling restless or anxious, worsening acid reflux and heartburn, digestive upset, and other symptoms. Urinary tract symptoms such as frequent urination or urgent need to urinate.

Caffeine is also mildly addictive, meaning many people get headaches if they skip drinking coffee for a day or don't drink as much as usual. If you drink coffee throughout the day but aren't sure if you'll experience any side effects, Dr. Hensrud recommends cutting back on your intake and observing what happens. "People need to be aware of the side effects.

They can be very subtle, especially if someone has a slow metabolism. The half-life of caffeine is about six hours or so, so coffee can causes side effects that people are not fully aware of," Dr. Hensrud said. For example, if you are having trouble sleeping, you can solve the problem by drinking less coffee. "But if someone isn't experiencing side effects, there's no reason to cut back," Dr. Hensrud says.