Most of us could not start our day without coffee. It doesn’t matter how we like it – black, with cream and sugar, cappuccino – it jump starts out day, and makes sure we are alert and ready to face the world and whatever it decides to throw in our face for the day. We’ve been hearing bad rap about coffee and how it’s bad for our health. Well, take heart coffee lovers – let me share with you the benefits of coffee for health, beauty and wellness.
- Reduces the risk of depression. You got that right. Coffee is good for mental health. A study conducted over a ten-year period shows that women who drink two to three cups of coffee daily are less likely to suffer depression and commit suicide.
- Protects our brain and helps prevent Alzheimer ’s disease. Apparently, compounds found in roasted coffee prevents the buildup of brain plaque which causes the disease. The Notebook would have had a very different ending if Allie had been a coffee drinker.
- Reduces the risk of heart disease. Another study conducted in Korea found that those who drank three to five cups a day had less likelihood of developing heart disease and this was backed by a study made in Brazil, which showed that coffee drinkers have lesser chances of developing calcification in their coronary arteries.
- Protects you from cavities and periodontal disease. Coffee is found to kill bacteria on teeth that causes tooth decay. It also protects the drinkers from gum disease. But there’s a catch – it only applies to strong, black coffee. So next time you decide to have a cup – ditch the cream and sugar.
- Increases productivity. A study showed that people in workplaces who consume coffee are less likely to disagree and have increased participation rate in team activities. Respondents are reported to have a more positive view of themselves and their co-workers.
- Helps burn fat. Several studies show that coffee increases our metabolic rate by up to 11 percent. However, this only applies to black coffee. Adding sugar and cream would be counter-productive to fat-burning.
- Promotes longevity. Studies show that regular coffee drinkers are more likely to outlive non-coffee drinkers. This may be because coffee helps prevent life-threatening diseases like diabetes, hepatitis, fatty liver disease, and certain types of cancer.
- High in antioxidants. Coffee is very high in antioxidants. Studies show that for most people in the US, coffee is their biggest source of antioxidants. It is not only good for preventing diseases but it also good for the skin as it promotes cell repair, reduces inflammation and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.