7 surprising health benefits of coffee
Most people can’t function without their morning cup of coffee, but did you know it’s doing so much more for you than simply helping kick-start your day?
From helping you shed those unwanted kilos to lowering your risk of cancer, we’re taking a look at seven of the incredible ways coffee can benefit your health.
1. Weight loss
Up to four cups of coffee a day is the recommended limit, but even one cup can have a positive impact when it comes to weight management. Why? Coffee is a great appetite suppressant. In fact, decaf coffee might even be better at putting those hunger pangs at bay.
2. Pre- and post-workout
Forget those expensive, sugary sports drinks. Whether you’re doing some light weights or going for a long walk, it’s been proven that black coffee is the perfect thing for you both before and after a workout. A University of Georgia study even found that drinking coffee after exercise reduces DOMS (delayed-onset muscle soreness) by almost 50 per cent!
3. Cancer prevention
Of course, there’s no way to completely avoid the big C (yet), but studies have found a link between regular coffee consumption and a decreased risk of skin cancer, oral/pharyngeal cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, prostate cancer and endometrial cancer.
4. Lower disease risk
Yep, not only may your cuppa prevent cancer, but it’s also been associated with a lower risk of developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and liver disease.
5. Mental sharpness
If you’ve ever worked in a job that required lots of brain power, you’ll be able to attest to just how essential coffee is. That’s because it sharpens your focus and improves reaction times – as long as you don’t have too much. It’s also been found to enhance long-term memory and maintain cognitive abilities.
6. Oral health
Sure, it can stain your teeth, but there’s some good news if you can put up with that. A 2014 study found that strong black coffee kills the bacteria that causes dental plaque. However, adding milk, cream or sugar will have the opposite effect.
7. Long life
Just when you thought you couldn’t love your brew any more! Researchers from Harvard University found that drinking three to five cups of coffee per day will improve your overall health and therefore increasing your lifespan. Stanford researchers believe it’s because coffee’s blend of caffeine and antioxidants can curb age-related inflammation.
Tell us in the comments below, how may cups of coffee do you have each day?