The Health Benefits Of Coffee

Your daily caffeine fix packs a ton of surprising health perks. Check these out......








Coffee may have anti-cancer properties

 

Regular coffee drinking has been linked to lower rates of certain cancers, including liver cancer, breast, colon, endometrial, prostate and rectal cancers, as well as basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer.





Coffee staves off stroke

 

A Swedish study found that women who drank a couple cups of java daily reduced their risk of stroke by 22 to 25 percent. Coffee has a high content of antioxidants, which experts believe may help suppress the damaging effect of inflammation on arteries.





Coffee protects against diabetes

 

There is fairly strong evidence showing coffee's protective effect against diabetes, with more coffee consumption linked to a greater decrease in risk -- for every extra cup of coffee drank a day, a person's risk of type 2 diabetes dropped by 7 percent.





Coffee protects against Parkinson's and dementia

 

Drinking a few cups of coffee a day could lower the risk of developing Parkinson's disease by as much as 25 percent, according to a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. Although researchers think the protective effect comes from caffeine, they aren't sure exactly how it works. Coffee drinkers who have 3 to 5 cups daily are also 65 percent less likely to develop dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.





Coffee combats depression

 

Here's another good reason to grab a cup of joe: Coffee actually seems to be a mood-booster. A study by Harvard School of Public Health involving 50,000 women found a 20 percent lower risk of depression in women who drink coffee regularly compared to women who don't.





Coffee may increase your lifespan

 

Increased coffee consumption is associated with longer life, according to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Although no one knows why exactly, experts theorize it could be due to the protective effect against type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's, depression and suicidal tendencies.





Coffee helps your waistline

 

The caffeine in coffee can speed up metabolism and fat-burning, which helps lower your risk of obesity. To keep your cuppa diet-friendly, keep in mind to skip the calorie-heavy add-ins like sugar and cream.





Coffee boosts your brainpower

 

Caffeine is a cognitive stimulant that actually boosts brain functioning and improves short-term memory. A cuppa will help keep you alert if you're feeling sluggish in the day, but avoid coffee for at least four hours before bedtime so it doesn't interfere with your sleep.





Coffee cuts gallstone disease risk

 

Coffee drinkers are less likely to suffer symptomatic gallstone disease, say Harvard researchers, possibly because coffee alters the cholesterol content of the bile produced by the liver.





Coffee helps fight cavities

 

Thanks to the tannins found in coffee, your cup of joe may actually help ward off tooth decay. Experiments have shown that these polyphenolic compounds may reduce the formation of cavity-causing plaque.