Coffee is one of those products around which there is a lot of research. Some studies talk about benefits, others about harm. But the number of people who drink this drink is not decreasing. The long history of coffee gives us many facts about this drink. This article will focus on the benefits of coffee.
Properties of caffeine
The main ingredient in coffee is caffeine. It is a causative agent of body systems: it improves brain function, speeds up the work of the heart, and stimulates the activity of the gallbladder. But if you abuse the drink, it can lead to negative consequences: tremor, high blood pressure, heartburn, insomnia. Drinking a drink in moderation and adhering to some rules, the usefulness of coffee still outweighs the “benefit / harm” scales.
So, let’s figure out whether coffee is good for health and how exactly this drink affects the body.
1 . Stimulation of the nervous system
The health benefits of coffee come from just 1-2 cups of coffee a day, which will help you feel less tired. All this is the action of caffeine, which enters the bloodstream and then moves to the brain. Here it blocks adenosine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter. It in turn increases the production of dopamine, norepinephrine and adrenaline. These hormones increase energy levels, improve mood and overall cognitive function.
2. Improve physical performance
Coffee is good for those who play sports. According to studies, caffeine increases physical activity by 11-12%. This is due to the fact that the substance causes the production of adrenaline, as already mentioned in the paragraph above. Thanks to this hormone, our body is ready for intense physical exertion. Caffeine also breaks down fat cells, turning them into free fatty acids that can be used by the body as fuel. Therefore, 60 minutes before exercising in the gym, you can drink a serving of coffee beans to increase efficiency.
3. Fat burning
Almost every weight loss product contains caffeine. This natural substance is able to speed up metabolism by 3-11%. However, the visible result was noticeable only in those who had not previously consumed coffee on an ongoing basis.
4. Coffee Protects Against Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Natural coffee reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 65%. This disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease and the main cause of dementia in people over 62 years of age. Unfortunately, the world has not yet found a cure for this. To prevent the development of the disease, it is necessary to lead an active lifestyle, adhere to a healthy diet, and avoid stress.
5. Coffee is good for the liver
The British journal Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics published a review combining 9 studies, which indicated that drinking just two cups of coffee a day reduces the risk of liver cirrhosis by 45%. However, doctors could not say exactly what coffee is good for the liver. Most likely, this is due to the content of substances such as chlorogenic acid, cafestol and caveol, which have an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect.
6. Reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes
The benefits of natural coffee have been seen in the fight against type 2 diabetes. Currently, about 300 million people on the planet suffer from type 2 diabetes. The International Diabetes Federation says that by 2030 every 10 adults on Earth will have a diagnosis. According to an extensive study that analyzed 18 scientific papers, one cup of coffee reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 7%. A total of 457,922 people took part in the trial. But the debate around the link between coffee and diabetes is ongoing, so it’s best to check with your doctor.
7. Coffee with milk is good for bones
Despite the benefits described above, coffee interferes with the absorption of beneficial elements, in particular calcium. By adding milk to the drink, this will help compensate for the loss of this essential element.
8. Increase Sexual Desire
Numerous studies have confirmed that people who drink a couple of cups of coffee a day are more sexually active. The benefits of coffee are equal for men and women. And coffee is a powerful aphrodisiac, so even the smell of the drink causes reflex stimulation aimed at sexual desire.
