Is the thought of that first cup of coffee the only reason you get out of bed in the morning? Is one cup never enough? Would you rather drink a cup of bad coffee than no coffee? Do you turn into a morning monster without your cup of Joe? Are you really into coffee? I mean reallllyyyy into coffee?!
If you answered yes to these questions, congratulations, you’re a coffee addict like me! When I think of the word “addiction,” I think of “Hi, I’m Claire and I’m a [coffee] addict (Hi Claire).” But you fellow coffee addicts out there may be pleasantly surprised to know that your coffee addiction isn’t something you need to attend a recovery program for. In fact, your dependent relationship with coffee may be more beneficial for you than you realize. With all of the mixed opinions on the health aspects of coffee, for many of us it has turned into another “can’t live with it, can’t live without it” thing in our lives to worry about. On the rare occasion that I come across a non-coffee drinker, I begin to feel guilty about my coffee consumption and convince myself that I need to give it up… until the next morning when I realize how bad of an idea that was. But its not just my bad temper and fatigue without it that tell me its a bad idea to give up coffee; its science as well. Here are the ABC’s of scientific research done on the health benefits of coffee:
Abnormal heart rhythms are 20% less likely to occur in people who drink 1-3 cups per day
Burns fat by as much as 10% in obese people and 29% in lean people
Caffeine stimulates the nervous system, causing it to send signals to the fat cells to break down body fat
Diabetes (type II) risk is reduced for coffee-drinkers by up to 50%
Frequent studies show that coffee-drinkers have up to a 65% lower risk of getting Alzheimer’s Disease
Energy levels increased
Gallstones risk reduced by 25% after 4 cups per day
High in antioxidants, which protect against damaged cells and reduce the risk of chronic diseases
In a 2011 Harvard study, women who drank 4 cups per day had a 20% lower risk of depression
Just 2 calories in a typical cup of black coffee!
Keeps your risk of liver cancer 40% lower than non-coffee drinkers
Lowers risk of Parkinson’s Disease by 25% (2-3 cups per day)
Minimizes chance of getting metastatic prostate cancer by 30% (1-3 cups per day)
Need a brain boost? Coffee blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter called Adenosine which can improve memory, mood, and general cognitive function
Only drink up to 5 cups per day
Potassium, Magnesium, Niacin, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B2, and Manganese are essential nutrients found in coffee
Quitting your workout? No way! Coffee can stimulate your muscles and therefore increase reps
Roast matters. Go for light-roasted black coffee
Stroke risk lowered by 20% for women who drink 2 or more cups daily
Those who drank 4 cups of coffee a day were 53% less likely to commit suicide in a study of over 200,000 people
United States’ largest source of antioxidants… more than fruits and vegetables combined!
Very helpful to drink 30 minutes before exercising
Want to boost your metabolic rate by 3-11%? Drink coffee!
X your risk of cirrhosis by 80% by drinking 4 cups daily
Your average physical performance can improve by 11-12% on average after drinking coffee
Zest up your morning… coffee reduces fatigue
While there are coffee-haters out there who would like to argue that coffee is bad for you, I choose to believe the evidence I have come across in my research. Call it confirmation bias, but facts don’t lie. So stop feeling guilty about enjoying your morning cup of Joe and wake up and smell the coffee, you addict you!
It Takes Guts® 