Coffee saves lives!
It may seem like an overly dramatic statement, but believe it or not, your morning coffee could be positively impacting your health!
Beyond its delightful taste and the immediate energy boost it provides, scientific studies have uncovered a wealth of health benefits associated with America’s favorite morning beverage. Nutrition experts at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine note that coffee is a rich source of antioxidants, and it also contains many other active substances that result in much more than just a quick pick-me-up.
Without further ado, let's delve into the top health benefits of drinking coffee and how it contributes to a longer (and happier) life.
Coffee can lengthen lifespans.
In 2017, the British Medical Association's BMJ published the results of an extensive analysis of nearly 220 research studies on coffee. Researchers determined that coffee drinkers were 17% less likely to die early from any cause than non-coffee drinkers.
In 2022, The Annals of Internal Medicine corroborated those 2017 findings, publishing research that correlated moderate consumption of unsweetened and sugar-sweetened coffee with a lower risk for death. Participants who drank 1.5 - 3.5 cups of coffee per day had a 30% lower risk of death from any cause during the study.
Coffee can stave off Type 2 diabetes.
Coffee may play a pivotal role in enhancing the body's processing of glucose, or sugar.
One review of 30 independent research studies found that each cup of coffee consumed per day lowered the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 6%.
A 2014 Harvard study that tracked nearly 124,000 people revealed that over a four-year period, participants who increased their coffee intake by more than 1 cup a day had an 11% lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Participants who decreased their intake by 1 cup per day had a 17% higher risk of developing the disease.
Why? Studies have found coffee preserves the function of the beta cells in the pancreas, which produce the insulin responsible for regulating blood sugar levels. The antioxidants in coffee may also directly impact insulin sensitivity, inflammation and metabolism — all of which contribute to the onset of the disease.
Coffee can both prevent and delay Parkinson's Disease.
Coffee consumption not only lowers the likelihood of developing Parkinson's, it also has substantial health benefits for those already diagnosed. The caffeine in coffee may help slow the progression of the disease, and in 2012, research published by the American Academy of Neurology revealed a daily dose of caffeine equivalent to two 8 oz. cups of black coffee can help control the involuntary movements characteristic of the disease.
Coffee can improve DNA strength.
Dark roast coffee emerges as a hero in DNA maintenance.
In a study published by the The European Journal of Nutrition, a test group drank 500 milliliters of dark roast coffee per day, while the control group consumed water. On the last day of each period, blood tests assessed the level of DNA strand breakage. The coffee drinkers had significantly fewer strand breaks compared to the water drinkers.
Similarly, a 2011 article in Molecular Nutrition and Food Research revealed that drinking 750 milliliters of coffee reduced natural DNA breakage by one-third, and that reduction continued several hours later.
Coffee can prevent Alzheimer’s Disease.
In a 2012 study published in The Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, researchers tested the blood caffeine levels in seniors with mild cognitive impairments (MGI), a potential precursor to severe dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Over a 2-4 year period, participants whose initial blood levels contained caffeine amounts equivalent to about three cups of coffee were far less likely to have progressed to full-blown dementia, and none of them converted to Alzheimer’s.
Coffee can lower the risk of stroke.
The aforementioned BMJ report revealed that consuming 3 cups of coffee a day results in a 30% lower risk of stroke.
A similar review of 21 studies showed that drinking 3-5 cups of coffee daily was associated with a 21% lower risk of stroke.
Coffee can improve heart health.
In 2021, the American Heart Association published the results of a study focused on data from three top heart disease studies: the Framingham Heart Study, the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study and the Cardiovascular Health Study. Researchers found that drinking 1 or more cups of caffeinated coffee each day significantly reduced a person's long-term risk of heart failure.
An exhaustive 2023 review of literature published on the link between coffee consumption and cardiovascular disease led researchers to report that moderate coffee consumption leads to a decrease in all-cause and cardiovascular-related mortality, hypertension, cholesterol, heart failure and atrial fibrillation.
Researchers hypothesize that coffee helps to improve blood vessel control over flow and pressure.
Coffee can reduce the risk of melanoma.
In 2015, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published the results of a study that observed the coffee-drinking habits of more 447,000 people over a decade. Participants who drank 4 or more cups of caffeinated coffee each day had a 20% lower risk of developing melanoma than those who drank decaf or no coffee at all.
Coffee can lower the risk of depression.
In an analysis of seven studies that included 330,677 participants, researchers found a 24% reduced risk of depression when comparing the highest (4.5 cups/day) to lowest (<1 cup) coffee intakes. They also found an 8% decreased risk of depression with each additional cup of coffee consumed.
A study following 263,923 retirees found that those who drank 4 or more cups of coffee a day were almost 10% less likely to become depressed than those who drank none.
Coffee can improve social health.
Studies have shown that holding a hot beverage substantially increases feelings of connectedness and trust. Read all about it in our recent blog!
The evidence is compelling – your morning cup of coffee might be doing more for you than just waking you up. From warding off neurodegenerative diseases to improving mental health, coffee has become a surprising ally in our quest for a healthier and happier life.
The next time you savor that steaming cup of joe, know that you're not just indulging in a delightful ritual but also contributing to your overall well-being.
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