AMAZING FACTS ABOUT COFFEE
Coffee, the beloved beverage that has become a daily ritual for millions around the world, is more than just a pick-me-up in the morning. I love my coffee and take joy in trying varieties from across the world. Today I want to share with you the myriad of surprising health benefits that go beyond coffee’s energizing properties. From reducing the risk of chronic diseases to boosting mood and well-being, coffee has proven to be a remarkable elixir of vitality.
So grab your cup and join me as I explore some of the captivating wonders of coffee and its extraordinary impact on our health.
- Coffee Helps to Improve Energy Levels & Positive Brain Function
Since I’m so in love with coffee I enjoy reading studies of effects of coffee. Controlled studies show that coffee improves memory, mood, vigilance, energy levels, reaction times and general mental function so go ahead and enjoy your coffee.
We all know that coffee helps to improve your energy levels, and mood, but you probably didn’t realise it also positively affects various aspects of brain function. We know that coffee often helps you to feel less tired and increase energy levels, well this is due to the stimulant caffeine, which is considered to be the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance in the world. Caffeine blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter in your brain, which causes a stimulant effect.
Here’s how it works: Caffeine is absorbed into the bloodstream, then travels to your brain where the caffeine blocks the inhibitory neurotransmitter adenosine which in turn increases the amount of other neurotransmitters such as dopamine which we often hear of. This leads to enhanced firing of neurons.
- Contains Essential Nutrients
Like I said, coffee is good for you.
It has several important nutrients which are retained in the finished brew – riboflavin, pantothenic acid, manganese, potassium, magnesium and niacin.
One cup of coffee is said to contain:
- Riboflavin (vitamin B2): 11%
- Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5): 6%
- Manganese and potassium: 3%
- Magnesium and niacin (vitamin B3): 2%
- Coffee Can Help You Burn Fat
Yes, believe it or not. While I am in the gym I drink coffee to increase the fat-burning performance. Several studies indicate that caffeine can increase fat burning and boost your metabolic rate, I figure that’s why caffeine is actually found in so many fat burning supplements. Yup, caffeine is one of the few natural substances proven to aid fat burning.
Caffeine not only increases adrenaline levels but also helps to release fatty acids from fat tissues. I’ve read several controlled studies that show that caffeine can boost the metabolic rate by between 3% and 11%. Some studies show that caffeine can increase fat burning by as much as 29% in lean people. Be careful though, it is possible that these effects diminish in long-term coffee drinkers.
- Coffee can Drastically Improve Your Physical Performance
This one is not a shocker – as caffeine increases adrenaline levels it helps to improve your physical performance. I’ve seen this work on me (as I said above, I drink coffee when in the gym). The caffeine in coffee stimulates your nervous system, breaking down body fat, and yes as I said above it also increases epinephrine (adrenaline) levels in your blood . This is the fight-or-flight hormone, which prepares your body for intense physical exertion.
- Breaks Down Body Fat, Making Free Fatty Acids Available ss Fuel
I said this above, but it’s worth getting its own highlighting. Coffee breaks down fatty acids while you are enjoying the smooth taste of coffee!
That’s a win-win for me.
So try a strong cup of coffee about half an hour before you head to the gym. Tell me how it works for you.
- Contains Chlorogenic Acid
Chlorogenic acids (CGA) are a class of phenolic acids found in coffee. Earlier I spoke about coffee and weight loss, well chlorogenic acid is the key compound responsible for green coffee bean extract as an important weight loss substitute. Studies have shown that chlorogenic acid can inhibit glucose entry into the bloodstream and helps prevent the fat formation in the body.
Recent studies have indicated that chlorogenic acid (CGA) may improve mood, reduce oxidative stress, and lower blood sugar levels. It is said to have substantial biological activities and may be responsible for the beneficial effects of coffee on glucose regulation and the development of type 2 diabetes.
- May Lower Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Your daily cup of coffee is a great ally to safeguard your metabolic health as “the antioxidants and bioactive compounds found in coffee have been linked to improved insulin sensitivity and reduced inflammation”. Research indicates that regular coffee consumption may lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. That’s another plus as diabetes is on the rise.
Here again coffee is your friend.
- May Protect Your Liver
According to Michigan Medicine, findings showed that if coffee has an effect on the liver, it is likely by reducing fibrosis, or scar tissue. The liver processes blood, breaking down the nutrients and chemicals which your blood carries, changing these into forms that are easier for the rest of your body to use. So, while you enjoy the beautiful tapestry of tastes in your coffee, you are also doing well for your liver.
- Can Fight Depression and Make You Happier
We now know that caffeine in coffee acts as a stimulant, this increases the dopamine and serotonin, which studies associate with happiness. So go grab your cup of coffee when you are feeling a little down and need a mood booster. Coffee can aid with depression and even reduce the risk or incidence of suicide.
Yup, did I say it already? Make coffee your best friend. It will be good company when you are feeling down.
- May Lower the Risk of Certain Types of Cancer
The studies with regards to coffee and cancer as with everything is varies in some respects. 2018 research by American Cancer Society finds that coffee many “lower risk of several types of cancer including head and neck, colorectal, breast, and liver cancer, although the potential beneficial effects of coffee are not completely understood”.
While the exact mechanisms behind coffee’s anti-cancer effects are still being explored, it is believed that its high antioxidant content, and its potential to reduce chronic inflammation, may aid in preventing not only the growth but also the progression of cancer cells.
- Contains More Antioxidants than Fruits & Vegetables
Coffee has many positive health effects, which may be due to its impressive content of powerful antioxidants. In fact, studies show that coffee is one of the largest sources of antioxidants in the human diet. Coffee is packed with an abundance of polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that help protect our cells from damage caused by harmful free radicals.
Believe it or not, studies have shown that persons obtain more antioxidants from coffee than from fruits and vegetables combined!
- Helps to Neutralize Smells
Coffee contains nitrogen, which helps neutralize odors in the air quickly and safely.
I use coffee grounds as an effective and natural alternative to baking soda. Put an open container of used coffee grounds in the fridge and it will defuse odors. Also place an open container of coffee grounds beside your garbage container in the kitchen.
In addition, coffee is an olfactory palate cleanser, for example when testing perfume, you often experience nasal fatique (which is when the nasal receptors become less and less sensitive to certain notes, and it becomes more difficult to differentiate between scents). Often stores utilize coffee in between fragrance testing can actually ‘cleanse’ your nasal receptors resulting in an untainted smelling palate.
- Good for Plant Health
If you love the beauty of plants like I do, here’s another positive – Coffee contains a lot of nitrogen, magnesium and potassium. Nitrogen not only kills off weeds and bacteria, but can also help with plants that prefer more acidic soil to flourish. Magnesium and potassium, both are key factors in plant growth and health. Spent coffee grounds scares away snails and slugs when scattered around the base of garden plants!
- Most Popular Drink Worldwide!
Coffee is the most popular drink worldwide with around two billion cups consumed every day. It is the second most consumed liquid beverage in the world after water.
Coffee is great, from the beautiful notes playing a symphony in your mouth, to the benefits of lowering the risk of chronic diseases and protecting our vital organs, coffee is celebrated across the globe. Coffee is extraordinary beverage with a myriad health benefits.
So, tomorrow morning, when you wake up, pour yourself a cup of coffee and take a moment to appreciate its taste, the uplifting of your mood and the positive impact which coffee may have on your well-being.
Disclaimer: This article is simple to share information & my love for coffee. It is not giving recommendations of any type. Please check in with your doctor for health and medical advice.
Disclosure: Some of the links in the article above are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
Im a coffee fanatic too. What type of coffee do you love?
Depends on the Mood I carry. Well I am fond of being fit, so Black coffee is my thing 🙂
Where do you buy your coffee? DO you drink Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee?