The Health Benefits of Coffee
Coffee is a drink that many enjoy for its flavor, and it can help a person wake up in the morning, and stay alert throughout the day. Coffee is something that some need before they are able to even start their day, and it can be used to help one stay focused or awake to perform a specific task. There are many reasons that people enjoy coffee, but many are unaware of the many health benefits this brew offers:
1. Protects against cirrhosis of the liver
Abnormal enzymes in the liver may cause a person to experience health issues, such as liver damage and cirrhosis. Yet a study conducted by the National Cancer Institute found that individuals who drank large quantities of coffee on a daily basis had lower levels of these harmful abnormal liver enzymes. Researchers also found that specific chemicals in coffee protect overall liver health.
2. Safeguards against Parkinson’s disease
Studies show that coffee may also help protect those who are genetically at risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. In fact research from the Krembil Brain Institute notes that, “Coffee consumption does seem to have some correlation to a decreased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.”
3. Lowers heart disease risk
It is important for a person to have healthy arteries if they would like to live life without heart disease. Coffee has been found in many studies to reduce calcification in the arteries, which lowers the overall risk of heart disease. Drinking three to five cups of coffee each day can help a person have a healthier heart and less risk of heart disease.
4. Protects against type 2 diabetes
Each cup of coffee that a person drinks in a day helps to lower their diabetes risk a little, according to researchers from the Mayo Clinic. According to reports, drinking both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee lowers the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which is great for those with a family history of the disease. But remember, if you already have diabetes, coffee may negatively affect blood sugar levels.
5. Reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease
There are certain things that happen to the brain before a person deals with the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease including reduced memory, problem solving skills, and impulse control.
However, reports from a group of neuroscientists at the University of South Florida found that coffee contains a mysterious compound that when it reacts with caffeine, boosts levels of the granulocyte colony stimulating factor, or GCSF protein, which slows the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.