Like many Americans, I am an unapologetic coffee drinker. There is nothing better than a steaming cup of joe on a cold day or really any time for that matter. It perks you up in the morning and is arguably the best drink to have when you want to connect with a friend. It is so popular, in fact, that Americans consume a whopping 400 million cups a day on average, making the US the leading consumer of coffee in the world. Globally, approximately 2.25 billion cups of this wonderful beverage are consumed daily.

The drink is popular for various reasons, but have you ever wondered if it is actually good for you? Fortunately, there is an abundance of research that says it has many health benefits. So, if you are a habitual coffee drinker, enjoy your java and know that coffee consumed in moderation is doing your body and your brain good.

Energy: Probably the most popular reason people drink coffee, especially in the morning, is the energy boost it provides. This is largely due to the 95 milligrams of caffeine in every cup. The caffeine is absorbed into the bloodstream and ultimately travels to the brain, blocking the inhibitory neurotransmitter adenosine. This causes neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine to increase, improving brain function, including memory, mood, and alertness.

Fat Burning: Caffeine, abundant in coffee, is a stimulant found in most weight loss supplements. Studies have shown that caffeine can boost your metabolic rate by 3-11%. Some studies have shown up to a 10% increase in the metabolism of obese people and up to a 29% increase in lean people; however, these effects may diminish with long-term consumption.

Improved Physical Performance: Caffeine stimulates the nervous system, signaling body fat to break down, thus making free fatty acids available for fuel during aerobic exercise. It also increases epinephrine (adrenaline) levels in the blood, causing a fight-or-flight response making it an excellent pre-workout drink and may improve physical performance 8-11%.

Nutrients: Coffee is not only delicious but also nutritious. A single cup contains essential nutrients such as Riboflavin (B12), 11% Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI), Pantothenic Acid (B5) 6% RDI, Manganese 3% RDI, Potassium 3% RDI, Magnesium 2% RDI and Niacin 2% RDI. Those figures are per cup. So, people that drink more than one cup daily will definitely rack up the nutrients.

Associated with Lower Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: Type 2 Diabetes affects millions of people and is a serious chronic condition where the body has difficulty processing blood sugar. With type 2 diabetes, the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or is insulin resistant. Some studies have shown that regular coffee drinkers have a 23-50% lower risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. One particular large-scale study of almost a half-million people showed a 7% reduction in risk, respectively.

Coffee may protect against Alzheimer’s and Dementia: Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that usually affects people over 65. There is no known cure; however, eating well, exercising, and staying mentally stimulated may help prevent the disease from beginning or slowing its progression. Some studies suggest that regular coffee consumption may reduce the risk of developing the disease by as much as 65%.

May Lower Risk of Parkinson’s: Parkinson’s is the second most common neurodegenerative disease behind Alzheimer’s. It is caused by the death of neurons in the brain. Like Alzheimer’s, there is currently no cure. Some studies, however, have shown that coffee drinkers have a reduced risk of developing the disease by as much as 32-60%. This may be due to the caffeine content of coffee, as those that drink decaf don’t seem to have the same benefit.

For more information on health, fitness, or personal training, please contact me through my website bellomofitness.com or find me on Facebook.