Drink Coffee for Your Health?

The earliest known documentation of humans drinking coffee is in the middle of the 15^th century in the Arabian Peninsula.  Coffee beans were found, roasted, and brewed into a drink that Sufis used for religious purposes. It spread across their empire, extending to Africa, Egypt, Syria, and Turkey.

 Coffee was brought to Europe by the Ottoman Turks in the early 17^th century and soon became a popular beverage.  Today, Brazil produces over 30% of the world’s coffee and Brazilians consume the most coffee in the world.

Americans drink 400 million cups of coffee every day and 146 billion cups per year, of which 66% of women and 62% of men drink coffee daily!  The Perfect Brew publication reports that women spend about $2,327 per year on their coffee habit, while men spend $1,934 per year.  These numbers project to go up significantly this year! 

The question is, how much do we really know about our cup of Joe?  See my Top 10 benefits to drinking coffee below:

1. Free Radical Fighter:  You might sipping coffee for the caffeine; however, coffee is full of antioxidants!  One cup has 200-550 milligrams of antioxidants, including chlorogenic acid, a compound that helps your body process fat and sugar.   Antioxidants lower inflammation, reduce the risk of chronic disease, and stabilize free radicals.  Surprisingly, a light roast has more antioxidants than a dark roast!
2. Hot Brew vs Cold Brew:  If you are looking for antioxidants, stick with hot-brewed coffee.  It has more because it takes a certain amount of heat to extract antioxidants from the bean.  Cold brew will give a bigger caffeine jolt and it is also lower in acid.  If you suffer from acid reflux, stick with cold brew. 
3. Black vs Mocha Coffee: The healthiest way to take your coffee is hot-brewed and black.  One cup has virtually no calories or carbs, no fat, and it is low in sodium.  Black coffee also has micronutrients, including potassium, magnesium, and niacin. 
4. Coffee Can Detoxify Your Liver: The liver helps with the digestion and detoxification of harmful substances in the body, such as alcohol and certain medications.  Coffee helps your liver work more efficiently due to a substance called “chlorogenic acid” that is found in coffee beans.
5. Coffee Can Exfoliate the Skin: Coffee grounds are a good alternative to expensive exfoliators.  Save some used grounds in a cup or bowl, dampen with water and rub onto your face for two minutes before rinsing it off.  The caffeine in coffee will also moisturize dry skin while removing dead cells, leaving skin soft, smooth, and clean.
6. Coffee Can Ease Abdominal Pain: Most people think coffee is a stress-inducing beverage that keeps them awake and alert.  Scientists have found that caffeine can help EASE some abdominal pain and other symptoms associated with menstruation, such as bloating, mood swings, fatigue, and nausea. 
7. Coffee Can Improve Your Heart’s Health: Coffee drinkers are less likely to suffer from heart disease than those who do not drink coffee.  Coffee contains antioxidants that stop the liver from absorbing too much LDL (bad) cholesterol responsible for clogged arteries.  Another benefit to your heart is that caffeine can help your blood vessels relax, allowing more blood flow.
8. Coffee May Reduce the Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes: Regular coffee drinkers tend to have lower blood sugar levels than non-coffee drinkers.  This lowers the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.  Coffee’s “chlorogenic acid” reduces the amount of glucose absorbed by the bloodstream.  It also boosts insulin sensitivity, allowing the body to absorb less sugar from foods and it prevents sugar spikes.
9. Coffee Can Boost Your Metabolism: Coffee stimulates the production of a hormone called “adiponectin,” known for regulating metabolism.  Studies have shown coffee can boost metabolism by up to 5% and increase fat burning by 10%-29%.  Drinking a cup of coffee before exercising can help extend your workout because it is an appetite suppressant.  Black coffee contains only 1 calorie per cup.
10. It can prevent getting Gout: Gout is a painful condition caused by the buildup of uric acid in the body leading to joint inflammation.  Coffee helps prevent Gout by blocking enzymes that produce uric acid, preventing build-up.  Too much coffee and caffeine intake can cause the condition to flare up, so three cups maximum per day is recommended.

I would be remiss not to mention some downsides of drinking too much coffee.  Too much caffeine intake can cause insomnia, anxiety, dehydration, and irritability.  Because it dehydrates you, it is a good idea to drink water either before or after consuming coffee.

If you are sensitive to caffeine, try decaf instead.  Keep in mind that to be considered decaffeinated, 97% of the caffeine must be removed from the drink.  This still leaves 3% of the caffeine in your cup. 

It is clear the benefits of drinking coffee outweigh the detriments.  The next time you reach for soda or those unhealthy sugary energy drinks, perhaps it is time to brew a cup of Joe instead!