As one of the most popular and commonly used beverages, coffee has had a large number of lovers and haters. The controversy around coffee usually revolves around its benefits and any hidden dangers. In this article we will discuss the many benefits of coffee, as well as some of its drawbacks.
Benefits Of Coffee
Research studies have found that drinking coffee can reduce the chances of:
Diabetes
According to research done by Harvard, the antioxidants found in caffeine can reduce inflammation and in turn reduce type 2 diabetes. Minerals found in coffee such as magnesium also helps with reduction. The study found that those who increased their coffee intake had a lower risk of having diabetes while stopping or reducing intake had the opposite effect.
Heart Failure Or Stroke
According to research results found last year, the American Heart Association drinking coffee can reduce the risk of heart attack by 7% or stroke by 8%. Although this research was done by a machine, its results were found to be valid. Multiple studies were conducted and all of them found the connection between coffee intake and these heart conditions.
Some Cancers
Although many researchers have dismissed possible connection between coffee intake and most types of cancer, the results have been different with liver cancer and endometrium cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer reviewed previous research done on association between cancer and coffee and found that drinking coffee only reduces risk of the two types of cancer above.
Liver Disease
Regular intake of coffee can eliminate chances of having liver disease. This is according to report by British Liver Trust and confirmed by the World Health Organization. Coffee also has the potential of slowing the progress of liver cancer.
Memory Loss
More coffee intake is now recommended especially to older people who are at a higher risk of memory loss. This is according to studies done by an Italian research center. The Italian Longitudinal Study on Aging found that coffee improve the capacity to retain memory in rodents. They therefore concluded that consumption of coffee can improve cognitive ability and reduce risk of dementia.
Parkinson's Disease
Although Parkinson's disease is mostly sporadic, chances of occurrence can be reduced by drinking more coffee. A study done on the topic found that those who didn't drink coffee regularly were more likely to have the disease. The main ingredient found in coffee which is caffeine was found to be the main agent responsible for this effect.
Depression
From a report done in China, coffee lowers the level of depression and the chances of being depressed considerably. While another research found that coffee can make the situation worsens for those struggling with depression, many others have come out to contradict those findings. Tea was found to be less effective showing that more caffeine such as that found in coffee was better.
Drawbacks Of Coffee
Despite its many benefits listed above, too much coffee can have unpleasant side-effects, or in some circumstances be dangerous. This is why researchers recommend moderate consumption. Some of the negative side-effects of too much coffee include:
Lack Of Sleep
Coffee can make it harder to fall asleep as well as reduce the total sleeping duration due to caffeine content.
Upset Stomach
Coffee has a laxative effect that can be helpful in improving how the digestive system works. However, when taken in too high a quantity, the effects can be detrimental to the stomach.
Racing Heart
Caffeine has been known to be a good stimulant. This can cause increased heartbeat that can be dangerous especially when combined with other energy drinks.
Addiction
Drinking coffee can lead to dependence on it thereby causing addiction. Moreover, it has been found to have the same effect other addictive drugs like cocaine have on the brain.
Coffee Conclusion
When all said and done, it’s clear that coffee is a healthy beverage to have in your diet, as long as you don’t abuse it. Its health benefits are also at their maximum when consumed without other ingredients such as cream or flavoured sugary syrups offered by a lot of high-street coffee outlets. It’s better to drink fresh black coffee in order to experience the full benefits with no unhealthy additives.
Also, when compared to making coffee at home, buying from coffee outlets is usually a lot more expensive so it can be unhealthy on the wallet too if you are a regular coffee drinker. The most cost-effective way to get your daily recommended dose of coffee and maximize its health benefits is to buy a coffee machine. This guide can help you find the perfect coffee machine for your kitchen, so you can have fresh coffee on demand whenever you need when at home, without it costing as much as your daily good bill. Personal brewing is the ideal option as it guarantees freshness, cheaper coffee and maximum convenience.
I hope you enjoyed this blog post about whether coffee and caffeine are actually good for you and healthy to consume as part of your daily diet.
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