The Surprising Health Benefits of Coffee

Edited By: Krista M.

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Coffee's distinctive smell and palatable taste are what help an estimated 100 million Americans pry themselves out of bed each morning. However, while its addictive flavor keeps us wanting more, you may find comfort in knowing the many hidden health benefits of consuming a daily cup of Joe. In truth, coffee is actually pretty healthy - it is packed with antioxidants and beneficial nutrients. What's more, studies show that coffee drinkers have a lower risk of developing serious diseases.

Read on to discover the 12 reasons you should wake up to a delectable cup of coffee:

In 2006, a study that included 125,000 people aged 22 and over found those who drank at least one cup of coffee a day were 20 percent less likely to develop liver cirrhosis - an autoimmune disease caused by excessive alcohol consumption that can lead to liver failure and cancer. Studies have also shown that consuming coffee regularly (four or more cups a day) may help prevent people from developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

...if you are a woman. A study conducted by Bringham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, followed 112,897 men and women over a 20-year period. They discovered that women who drank more than three cups of coffee a day were less likely to develop skin cancer than those who didn't.

According to a study from the American Chemical Society, drinking coffee may reduce your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes. Researchers found that people who drink four or more cups of coffee a day reduce their chances of developing Type 2 diabetes by 50 percent.

Studies conducted on a group of people aged 65 and older at the University of South Florida and the University of Miami respectively found that those with higher levels of caffeine in their blood developed Alzheimer's disease two to four years later than those with lower levels of caffeine. The study's co-author and neuroscientist, Dr Chuanhai Cao, reported he firmly believed that moderate coffee consumption can appreciably reduce your risk of Alzheimer's or delay its onset.

Coffee is renowned for its quick-fix energy-boosting effects. However, aside from giving you a much-needed jolt, coffee makes you sharper. According to the CNN, coffee allows your brain to work in a more efficient and smarter way. It improves your reaction time, vigilance, attention and logical reasoning.

In a study conducted by Korean researchers, participants who consumed three to five cups of Joe a day were less likely to exhibit the first signs of heart disease. However, it is important to consider other dietary factors too, as Koreans typically have a different diet than Westerners.

Recent studies have shown that four cups of coffee a day may help protect against the development and re-occurrence of Multiple Sclerosis. It is believed that coffee prevents neural inflammation, which may lead to the disease.

Consuming coffee can reduce the chances of developing colorectal cancer by 26 percent. According to one study, the more coffee you consume the lower the risk.

A study conducted in 2005 found that nothing comes close to providing as many antioxidants as coffee. While fruits and vegetables are loaded with antioxidants, the human body absorbs the most from coffee.

In 2012, ScienceDaily reported that studies (still in their initial phase) have shown that people who consume caffeine are less likely to develop Parkinson's. It also stated that drinking coffee may help people with Parkinson's disease control their movement.

Research conducted at the Seoul National University examined the brains of rats who were stressed as a result of sleep deprivation. The study found that those who were exposed to coffee aromas experienced changes in brain proteins tied to that stress.

A study by the National Institute of Health found that those who drank more than four cups of java a day were less likely to be depressed. Coffee's mood boosting benefits do not occur due to the 'caffeine high', rather coffee makes you feel good due to its trusty antioxidants.

Source 1; Source 2