Coffee Adds Daily Health Benefits

A large majority of people drink either tea or coffee in the mornings. The daily ritual of sipping something either hot or cold that contains a little “boost” in it adds not only comfort but some surprising health benefits as well. Apart from the normal routine of consuming coffee to help wake us up, many people do not realize that sipping that morning cup can provide some things your body needs.

You can enjoy your morning coffee as part of your daily life because the smell, the taste, and the health benefits contribute towards part of the balance of overall wellness.

Antioxidants

The number one benefit that coffee offers is an impressive number of antioxidants. Antioxidants protect us from damaging things called free radicals. Exposure to free radicals can happen daily through digestion, pollutants, and the general breakdown of things such as medicines in our systems. They help repair damage and are needed in our bodies to help fight off disease and sickness.

Coffee, particularly coffee beans containing quinines, are stronger after the beans are roasted. Quinines are a type of antioxidant, and coffee has a high amount of them.

Consuming a few cups each day without a lot of sugary or artificial additives will give your body a high number of antioxidants.

Disease-Fighter

Because coffee has such a large number of antioxidants, it has been known to suppress risks of certain diseases. A study completed at UCLA showed that coffee might be able to help protect individuals with Type II diabetes. More studies have completed research on the combination of coffee and caffeine versus Parkinson’s disease. It showed the more coffee/caffeine seemed to lower the risk of this disease.

Coffee also has a link to reduced risks of both liver cancer and liver disease. Drinking coffee regularly and up to three cups can reduce the risk of liver cancer by half, according to a study completed in Italy. Liver disease was also found to be significantly decreased, especially in the disease known as cirrhosis.

Reduces Depression Symptoms

Another surprising benefit of coffee is that it can help reduce the feelings and symptoms associated with depression. There are several proposed reasons for this. One is that coffee acts as a stimulant to the central nervous system.

It literally helps wake you up, getting blood pumping to the brain. Another reason is that of the higher percentage of antioxidants, which helps you feel better and protects your health. One study concluded that those that did not drink coffee were 10 percent more likely to feel symptoms of depression.

Quantity Matters

Just because coffee can offer some amazing benefits doesn’t mean that you should glug down pots full of the tasty drink. Most researchers say that between one and three cups is good, or not more than 400 mg. Anything more and coffee and the caffeine in it can have the reverse effects.

Too much caffeine can cause stomach issues, jitteriness, rapid heartbeat, and later on, fatigue. Too much caffeine can hurt your health, but under the recommended 400 mg can deliver a powerful punch of antioxidants and other health benefits.

The Perfect Americano

The Café Americano is a popular coffee drink and one that many prefer. Sugar and milk are usually left out of these types of drinks which maximize the health benefits. You will need about two-thirds of a pot or cup of espresso, and then add hot water to fill it up the remainder of the way.

The amount of hot water varies to each person’s specific taste, as more water will make it not as strong, although some may prefer it that way. An espresso machine is highly recommended to make the perfect cup. There are other ways to concoct your own Café Americanos, but the amazing health benefits will still be there.

Bio: Everyday, Sarah Jones wakes up and prepares her coffee in different ways. How? By following the techniques she wrote on We Dream of Coffee. Learn more about the health benefits and fun facts about coffee on her blog.