You’ve probably heard that coffee can be good or bad for you, but the truth is somewhere in the middle. It all depends on your unique health situation and how much you drink. Read on to learn more about the surprising health benefits of coffee and three potential side effects to watch out for when drinking coffee daily.
5 Surprising Health Benefits of Coffee
1) Everyone Should Drink Up
Coffee has been unfairly demonized in the past, but new research is showing that there are actually a lot of health benefits to drinking coffee. moderate amounts of coffee can improve brain function, help you burn fat, and even reduce your risk of death. However, there are also some potential side effects to be aware of, like disrupting your sleep or increasing your anxiety levels. Overall, though, coffee is a healthy drink that can be enjoyed by most people.
2) Caffeine Is a Drug
Most people know that coffee contains caffeine, but many don’t realize that caffeine is actually a drug. This means that it can have both positive and negative effects on your health. In small doses, caffeine can make you feel more alert and improve your focus. But too much caffeine can cause jitters, anxiety, and even insomnia.
Caffeine is also addictive, which means you may start to feel withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop drinking coffee or other caffeinated beverages. One study found that those who drink four cups of coffee per day are 1.3 times as likely to develop depression as those who drink less than one cup per day.
It’s important to note, however, that this study has not been duplicated in other studies and so we cannot say for sure whether or not there is a link between the two factors. Some research also suggests that increased risk for depression could be caused by the lack of nutrients associated with coffee consumption rather than the caffeine itself.
3) Caffeine is Good for Athletic Performance
If you’re an athlete, you’ve probably been told to avoid caffeine before the competition. However, new research suggests that moderate caffeine consumption may actually improve athletic performance.
A small study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness found that cyclists who consumed a daily dose of three milligrams per kilogram of body weight did 20% better on endurance tests than those who were given a placebo. These benefits can last up to six hours after drinking coffee so make sure not to have your pre-workout cup too late in the day!
4) Can Fight Depression and Alzheimer’s Disease
Depression is a serious mood disorder that can cause a person to feel hopeless and lose interest in activities. While there are many different treatments available, coffee may be one option worth considering. Studies have shown that coffee can help fight depression by boosting levels of serotonin and dopamine.
It also has been linked to lower rates of Alzheimer’s disease. The caffeine in coffee has also been found to increase alertness which helps those with sleep problems fall asleep faster and enjoy deeper sleep quality.
Read more:
7 Health Benefits of Apples That Will Make You Want to Eat More
5) Women Are Particularly Benefited
When it comes to coffee, most people focus on the negatives. However, there are actually several health benefits that coffee can provide, particularly for women. For example, coffee can help reduce estrogen dominance, which is common in women and has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. In addition, drinking two cups per day can help protect against Parkinson’s disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
As for side effects, those who drink more than four cups per day have an increased risk of heart disease and certain cancers such as pancreatic cancer and endometrial cancer. Drinking less than four cups per day will not lead to these negative effects but could still cause problems with stress levels and sleep quality.