Image via Complex Original
Iced, hot, sugared, creamy, black—it doesn't matter, we all love our daily coffee. Life is just better with a cup (or two, or three) of joe. Whether you appreciate a dose in the morning to get your day started, or as an afternoon pick-me-up to get you to happy hour, for most sane people, it's a necessity, and often a borderline addiction.
Well guess what, you need not feel shame about your coffee dependency. Turns out the stuff is loaded with health benefits. So drink up! Your life could very well depend on it.
From cardiovascular benefits to hangover cures, here are 25 Unexpected Benefits of Drinking Coffee.
RELATED: 10 Great Apps That Every Coffee Drinker Needs
RELATED: The Best Coffee Roasters in the U.S. Right Now
25. Coffee increases reaction time.
Caffeine could improve reaction times in sports even if fatigue arrives later in the game, reports Medicine in Science in Sports & Exercise. In the study, subjects took a caffeine pill with a dose equal to about one Venti Starbucks cup. One hour after consumption, they completed four 20-minute circuits that consisted of various movements needed in sports like soccer and football. While it may not sound like much, caffeine can also increase speed and make exercise seem less strenuous.
24. Coffee speeds recovery.
After a good workout, the first thing you probably reach for is a nice glass of water or a protein shake. To mix up the routine, try a cup of Joe after your daily workout. A recent study has proven that ingesting both carbs and caffeine following an exhaustive exercise is actually good for you. When you workout, your body depletes glycogen levels, which is your main fuel during exercise. Research has shown that drinking coffee replenished 66% more glycogen in the muscles a few hours after an intense workout.
23. Coffee contains anti-inflammatory properties.
Chronic inflammation can lead to numerous health problems, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and arthritis. An anti-inflammatory diet plan can help reduce the chances for chronic inflammation and other diseases. According to a wealth of scientific evidence, studies have suggested that coffee can be a good addition to an anti-inflammatory diet because of its important antioxidants.
22. Coffee lowers blood pressure.
While previous research has shown conflicting results as to whether coffee is actually good for the heart, it seems that coffee can actually lower blood pressure. Yet, the key is to think long-term according to the Preventative and Clinical Investigations Center in Paris, France. It is true that drinking caffeinated coffee increases short-term blood pressure, but habitual coffee drinking can lower blood pressure significantly in the long term. Additionally, avid coffee drinkers have been shown to contain more elastic blood vessels, which counteract the risk of high blood pressure.
21. Coffee can increase strength performance.
Caffeine supplements are taken by many athletes to increase power and strength performance. However, coffee is avoided because it would probably require six to nine cups to ensure a good pre-workout dose. But for those who enjoy a nice coffee and workout in the morning should keep at their routine. According to a few studies, small caffeine doses before early morning workouts can improve performance. Rather than acting directly on the nervous system, the caffeine in your coffee heads straight to your muscles to result in greater power.
Coffee may prevent cavities.
Some scientists claim that certain compounds in coffee could reduce plaque formation. The tannins, which are found in the coffee bean, prevent the process that builds plaque on your teeth. Drinking coffee could help prevent your teeth from being damaged and maybe even saving you a couple of visits to the dentist. The only downside is that experiments to prove this claim have all been performed through culture discs rather than on humans.
Coffee may prevent Parkinson's disease.
The idea that caffeine may prevent Parkinson's disease began with a series of risk factor studies that holistically revealed a potentially reduced risk for Parkinson's when caffeine ingestion was increased. Several studies have concluded that higher caffeine intake seems to be associated with a decreased chance of developing Parkinson's. One study found that male non-coffee drinkers were more likely to develop the disease as opposed to men who drank coffee daily.
Coffee increases fiber intake.
Unlike other common beverages, coffee can have high levels of fiber. According to the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, results exhibited higher amounts of soluble dietary fiber in coffee than in other beverages. Having fiber in dietary nutrition helps maintain good bowel health, reducing blood cholesterol, and controlling sugar levels.
Coffee can prevent constipation.
Although coffee often contains caffeine, which can cause dehydration, it may actually be beneficial for constipation. According to Lawrence Wilson MD, one cup of coffee "helps millions to avoid constipation."
Coffee can prevent strokes.
Thanks to all the heaping rounds of antioxidants, coffee has been proven to reduce the chance of strokes. According to Harvard University and Cleveland Clinic's Wellness Institute drinking coffee- even decaffeinated coffee- can decrease the risks of strokes up to 10%. Instead of reaching out for the soda can, which elevates the risk of strokes, stay classy and stick to coffee.
Coffee reduces risk of Alzheimer's Disease.
Rejoice! While coffee can also increase brain function, it should come to no surprise that drinking coffee can lower risk for Alzheimer's disease. According to the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease people who drank 3-5 cups of coffee a day had a 65% decreased risk of developing the disease. Additionally, the study further suggested that consuming coffee at midlife decreased chance of dementia later in life.
Coffee can prevent Gout.
Gout is a disease that is caused by the buildup of uric acid, which causes arthritis. Unfortunately, it can be really painful. Fortunately, coffee can prevent Gout. In a 2008 study performed in Canada, it was found that people who drank four or more cups of coffee a day lowered their risk by 40-60%. As coffee helps with metabolism, it also lowers the amount of uric acid in the blood.
Coffee lowers risk for gallstone disease.
Drinking caffeinated coffee has been associated with a lower risk of gallstone and gallbladder disease in men. In a study performed by the Harvard School of Public Health it was found that coffee consumption might have helped prevent symptomatic gallstone disease and the formation of gallstones.
Coffee can prevent cancer.
Coffee drinking has been known to reduce the risk of many cancers including basal cell carcinoma, oral and prostate cancer. While some studies have shown that it can reduce your risk up to 25%, it seems clear that coffee can be protective and does not increase cancer risk.
Coffee can prevent diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes stems from the body's inability to properly use or make enough insulin, the hormone that helps regulate substances the body uses for energy. A number of studies have associated coffee consumption to lower rates of type 2 diabetes. While it's still uncertain as to why coffee may be protective against diabetes, it has been proven that people who drink coffee have the lowest risk of developing type II diabetes.
Coffee lowers risk for heart failure.
For many years researchers assumed that coffee was harmful since it was often associated with high blood pressure. However, it seems that drinking coffee has many health benefits over the long-term. In numerous studies, it has been proven that regular coffee drinkers have a lower risk of heart failure than those who abstained. Just don't assume that drinking profuse amounts of coffee will be good for you. The key is moderation.
Coffee can relieve work pain.
Tired of the constant neck cramps and shoulder pain in your daily office routine? Well, coffee may alleviate that pain for you. According to a 2012 Norway study, drinking a cup of coffee before work can help reduce common pains in the shoulder and neck in a typical office job. Researchers from the study founded that 40% of the people who drank coffee had a lower intensity of pain than those who did not.
Coffee decreases suicide risk.
Since coffee helps ward off depression, it should be expected that coffee could decrease suicide risk. In a study done by Harvard, a team of researchers compared the risk of suicide for adults who consumed coffee with that of non-coffee drinkers, decaf coffee drinkers, and non-regular coffee drinkers. The results showed that those who drank two to four cups per day was about 50% less than the risk for the other participant groups.
Coffee may improve mental performance.
So far, no scientist has designed a drug that can make a person smarter for a long duration of time, other than temporarily increasing brain process speed. The commercial memory enhancers already contain some sort of caffeine and sugar, which are the same ingredients you can get in a morning cup of coffee. Unfortunately, nothing exists that can truly make you more intelligent, but coffee can make you perform some tasks a little better.
Coffee helps fight depression.
Multiple studies done at Harvard University and John Hopkins University School of Medicine have proven that a small dose of caffeine, the same amount in about half a cup of your morning coffee, can brighten a person's mood throughout the day. In the Harvard study, women who drank two to three cups of coffee a day had about 15% reduced risk of developing depression during a ten year period than those who had only one cup of coffee or less per week.
Coffee is healthy for your liver.
While researchers aren't exactly sure why, it appears that coffee has some sort of protective effect on the liver. Multiple studies make the case for coffee: one study found that people who drank two cups a day had a 50% reduction in hospitalization and mortality from chronic liver disease. Another study also indicated that people who drank one cup a day had a 20% reduction in risk of developing cirrhosis of the liver.
Coffee is loaded with antioxidants.
Coffee is filled with antioxidants. In fact, according to a study by The University of Scranton, coffee is the single largest source of antioxidants in the western diet, outranking both fruits and vegetables, combined. Since drinking coffee increases the level of antioxidants, you will have what you need to fight off diseases and prevent damage in your body.
Coffee can boost memory.
Caffeine can also improve memory because it stimulates regions of the brain that regulate arousal, concentration and mood. Multiple studies have shown that adults who drank coffee before memory tests saw a significant improvement in performance. However, these benefits are mostly confined to regular coffee drinkers.
Coffee can help you burn fat.
Caffeine is in numerous commercial fat burning products, and for good reason. It's known to be one of only a few substances that help increase metabolism, making it easier to lose weight. Since coffee is loaded with caffeine, some suggest that it could help burn through more calories. Not only that, but coffee can help suppress your midnight cravings, preventing unwanted pounds.
Coffee makes you live longer.
Coffee-drinking addicts can join in a collective sigh of relief. All those coffee cups you're downing for the whole day may actually be lengthening your lifespan. According to a 2012 study in the New England Journal of Medicine, those who drank more coffee lowered their chances of dying up to 15%. So drink up.