Ah, coffee. Who doesn't love a cup of joe in the morning? Aside from the instant energy boost it provides, caffeine has plenty of other health-enhancing properties.
If you can’t live without your morning cup of joe then you’ll be pleased to discover that, when consumed in moderation, coffee has plenty of health benefits. “When consumed in moderation coffee can be quite healthy for us,” says accredited practising dietitian Melanie McGrice. Here are a few health benefits of coffee:
6 HEALTH BENEFITS OF COFFEE
- It aids memory: A 2007 study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that women who drank more than three cups of coffee per day were also 30 percent less likely to experience memory decline at age 65, and 70 percent less likely at age 80.
- It helps you live longer: A 2017 study by the Stanford University School of Medicine found that an underlying inflammatory process associated with ageing and cardiovascular disease could be counteracted with caffeine – supporting that coffee drinkers live longer.
- It protects against cancers: Further research confirms how caffeine can also protect against various cancers, including breast cancer, inhibiting the growth of tumours and reducing the risk of its recurrence. “What gives coffee its health benefits isn’t only its caffeine content, but also the antioxidant profile that exists in all types of coffee beans, including decaf,” says holistic nutritionist Sita Huber at Mind Body IQ.
- It boosts metabolism: Researchers have found that he caffeine in coffee helps to boost our metabolic rate, increasing fat burning and suppressing hunger.
- It’s good for the gut: Coffee includes a good amount of soluble fibre which improves the diversity of gut bacteria and keeps a lid on cholesterol.
- It reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes: One study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2009, found that regularly drinking three to four cups of coffee per day could reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 25 percent.
QUICK COFFEE FACTS
The naturally occurring chemical compounds that give coffee its protective properties include:
- Plant polyphenols: These antioxidants are found to limit the growth of potential cancer cells and safeguard against neurodegenerative diseases
- Melanoidins: These are generated during the roasting process have been hypothesised to encourage colon mobility including having anti-inflammatory properties, and
- Diterpenes: These which enhance the body’s defence against oxidative damage.
