A cup of coffee in the morning is a long-established ritual for many of us in America. According to Gallup News, nearly two-thirds of all US adults drink at least one cup of coffee a day. The average daily consumption is 2.7 cups, a statistic that has not changed since 1999, despite warnings in the past that coffee can be harmful to your health. Fortunately, in light of these facts, new research has shown that coffee may be good for you after all.
What are the health benefits of drinking coffee?
The Mayo Clinic reports the following health benefits of coffee:
- Recent studies have linked coffee consumption to reduced total mortality, and possibly to cardiovascular mortality, although this may not apply to younger people who drink large amounts of coffee.
- Studies have shown that coffee can help protect people against several serious diseases, including Parkinson̵7;s, type 2 diabetes, liver cancer and liver disease.
- Coffee appears to reduce the risk of depression and improve cognitive functions.
As it says on Healthline:
- Coffee is high in antioxidants and contains important nutrients, including vitamins B2, B5, B1 and B3, folate, manganese, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus.
- The caffeine in coffee improves brain function and increases metabolism.
- Coffee drinkers have up to 65% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
- Studies have shown that coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of dementia.
Are there any risks to drinking coffee?
- According to the Mayo Clinic, research has shown that high consumption of unfiltered coffee (such as with espresso or a French press) has been associated with mild increases in cholesterol levels.
- In addition, some studies have found that among people with a fairly common genetic mutation that slows the body’s breakdown of caffeine, drinking two or more cups of coffee a day may increase the risk of heart disease.
- Healthline reports that consuming too much caffeine can cause anxiety and disrupt sleep.
- Caffeine in coffee is addictive. When people who are used to drinking coffee regularly miss a few cups, they can suffer withdrawal symptoms, including headaches, brain fog, irritability and exhaustion.
How to get more health benefits from drinking coffee
If you’re a coffee drinker like most adults in America, there are some things you can do to maximize the health benefits:
- Do not drink excessive amounts of coffee. Healthline reports that 400 mg of caffeine per day is considered a safe upper limit for healthy adults. The average eight-ounce cup of coffee provides about 100 mg of caffeine.
- Avoid adding a lot of sugar to your coffee. This includes avoiding lattes or other coffee drinks with flavored syrups, caramel sauce or other high-calorie ingredients.
- Brew your coffee with a paper filter. Unfiltered coffee contains a substance called cafestol that can increase cholesterol levels.
If you are reading this article, you probably have an interest in maintaining optimal health, like many people in the United States today. This is an area where health insurance plays an important role. If you need help finding a health insurance plan, our friendly agent can provide you with professional guidance at no charge.
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