It is the most popular hot drink in the morning and makes sitting together in a café, garden or sun so much more pleasant: coffee. For many people, life without a cup of coffee would simply be unimaginable and there are always enough occasions that literally "invite you to have a coffee". Whether chatting with your best friend about the latest gossip on the sun terrace in a café, with your neighbors and homemade cake in the garden on a Sunday afternoon or with your business partner in the airport business lounge in the last few minutes before departure - a cup of coffee goes perfectly with it!
In recent years, however, arguments have repeatedly emerged linking coffee consumption with harmful effects on health, but many new studies also highlight the positive effects that coffee can have on our health when consumed in moderation.
We'll tell you 5 reasons why you can drink your daily espresso, cappuccino or café latte with even more enjoyment than before.
1. Coffee reduces the risk of cancer
Regular coffee consumption has been linked to a reduction in the risk of cancer. A study of 220 study participants found that those who regularly consumed coffee were 18% less likely to develop cancer. Preventive effects have been found for liver, colon, throat and skin cancer.
2. The metabolism boost
Even those who are conscious about their figure benefit from a daily cup of coffee in the morning. There is evidence that coffee can boost the metabolic rate by 3% to even 11% by optimizing fat burning. When the body absorbs caffeine, the nervous system is also stimulated. This in turn can send signals to the fat cells so that they can be broken down.
Attention athletes: Caffeine can also increase athletic performance by up to 12%. Caffeine also leads to an increase in adrenaline levels, which means the body quickly makes energy available from fat stores - the fat in the fatty tissue is thus directly mobilized.
3. Coffee makes you alert and in a good mood
It is not surprising that many people insist on their morning cup of coffee before they leave the house, start work or go to the gym. The reason is that coffee wakes up tired people because of the stimulating caffeine it contains. Caffeine also has a positive effect on the blood vessels, which are dilated as a result. This dilation of the blood vessels lowers blood pressure. In this respect, coffee can even have a calming and concentration-enhancing effect. Caffeine also acts directly on the brain and can bring about feelings of happiness as well as increased motivation and attention. In this context, there are also findings that women who drink coffee regularly are 20% less likely to suffer from depression.
4. Coffee has an antioxidant effect
Coffee provides the body with antioxidants that help protect the body and the immune system. Antioxidants are natural ingredients in food that protect against cell damage caused by free radicals, and thus against diseases and premature aging processes. Flavonoids, chlorogenic acids, resveratrol and melanoidins are some of the antioxidants contained in coffee.
Other ingredients such as cafestol and kahweol also have an antioxidant effect in the body. They protect the liver in particular. It is interesting to note that melanoidins are only formed during the roasting process. The strength of the antioxidant effect of coffee therefore depends, among other things, on the degree of roasting. Dark roasts do not have as strong an antioxidant effect as medium or lighter roasts.
5. Coffee reduces the risk of diabetes
A 2009 study provided insights into the connection between coffee consumption and type 2 diabetes. The research found that the risk of developing type 2 diabetes decreased by about 7% for each cup of coffee consumed per day. A 50% lower risk of developing the disease was found in people who drank 4.5 or more cups of coffee per day. However, this should not be a reason to increase your own coffee consumption so much.
As with almost all foods, the same applies here: always enjoy in moderation and pay attention to your body and its needs.
Sources:
http://time.com/5033881/health-benefits-of-drinking-coffee/
https://www.onemedical.com/blog/newsworthy/10-healthy-reasons-to-drink-coffee-2/