The health benefits of coffee? Are you dreaming? Nope, you’re awake (but you might need another cup of coffee). There are some things we hate to love. And some we love to hate. Coffee is both.
People talk about the evils of coffee in the same way they talk about addictions to meth or cocaine (or the so-called evils of sugar). But let’s play devil’s advocate for a minute and ask the question: “Is coffee healthy?”
I once believed that myth and quit drinking coffee completely for a couple of years. Now I drink coffee every day. Because I’m a hopeless addict? No. Because I sifted through the hype and learned about the health benefits of coffee.
The Health Benefits of Coffee
So, is coffee healthy? It can be. The benefits of coffee are very real. And some are pretty cool. So here’s a list of potential coffee benefits I’ve discovered in my research:
- Coffee is nutritious! It contains a lot of magnesium and B vitamins essential to our health and well being. I firmly believe it’s best to get nutrients from food sources if possible (supplements can be problematic for a variety of reasons), so coffee fits right into that equation.
- I don’t like cancer. Drinking coffee every day is linked to a 25 percent lower endometrial cancer risk in women. Plus women who drink coffee daily are far less at risk for certain types of breast cancer (like up to 57 percent less!). More studies have shown coffee’s protective effects against skin cancer and colon cancer.
- I do like my liver, and coffee may protect your liver. Studies show people who drink caffeinated coffee have lower markers of liver disease.
- Thyroid health is paramount if you want to be healthy and feel well, and some research suggests coffee may play a key role in protecting you from thyroid disease.
- Coffee can inhibit iron absorption, which can protect against various health problems associated with high iron. This can be one of the big coffee benefits for men and menopausal women. This benefit works best when consuming coffee with a meal.
- Coffee drinkers are less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease, and coffee can help reduce symptoms in current Parkinson’s patients.
But truth be told, the health benefits of coffee aren’t the only reason I indulge my java habit. Here are even more reasons I love drinking coffee every day…
#1 – Coffee is an excellent medium for other nutritious foods. I drink my coffee with a full serving of real milk and a healthy dose of my favorite collagen protein powder (read more about the benefits of collagen here).
Getting plenty of protein is a must for me, so it’s a great way to start my morning. I sometimes also throw in a spoonful of coconut oil, which can help with managing weight, clearing up acne and a whole lot more. Get my full “secret” coffee smoothie recipe HERE.
#2 – It smells fantastic! Very few people I’ve met have told me they don’t love the aroma of fresh-brewed coffee. Forget air freshener. Just brew me a cup of joe. And yeah, this might not be one of the coffee benefits that drastically affects my health – but for me it totally counts.
So… is coffee healthy for everyone? No.
Of course, there are two sides to every story, even this one. Instead of just asking, “Is coffee healthy?” maybe we should be asking, “Can I include coffee in my diet in a healthy way?”
Because the honest answer is: not everyone can. Just because we’re talking about the health benefits of coffee doesn’t mean it’s healthy for everyone all the time. Some people may feel seriously anxious after just one cup of coffee. Others find coffee affects their sleep negatively. Others are using coffee to help them cope with sleep problems and a stressful lifestyle – both of which probably need to be dealt with on their own (and coffee might be covering up the problem).
(If you experience coffee anxiety or jitters, following my tips HERE might help.)
As always, I recommend doing your own research and listening to your body when it comes to coffee–or food, exercise, and pretty much everything else in life! Some people do really well on coffee, and others don’t. It pays to know what works for you.
Do you drink coffee? Do you believe in the benefits of coffee, or is it not for you? Let me know what you think in the comments below!
MORE ARTICLES ON HEALTHY FOOD:
- How much protein do you really need every day?
- The Health Benefits of Magnesium and a List of Foods High in Magnesium
- Why I Eat Raw Egg Yolks Everyday
- Craving Peanut Butter? Learn The Root Cause
- 10 Foods That Affect the Thyroid for Better or Worse
- 10 Reasons Why I Love Butter
LOVE THIS POST? PIN IT BELOW!
References:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2816215
http://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/20110513
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/08/120801165353.htm
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/02/really-drinking-coffee-lowers-colon-cancer-risk/