8 benefits of

coffee you didn’t

know about

If you’ve been wondering what all that coffee is doing to

you, cheer up. A recent review of data completed at Gill

Heart Institute in Kentucky focused on the cardiovascular,

genetic, antioxidant and caffeine effects of coffee and found

that drinking the brew reduces the risk of mortality right

across the board. They also documented that coffee:

Reduces risk of stroke

Does not increase risk of coronary heart disease

Does not increase risk of congestive heart failure and

may be preventative

Does not increase risk of sudden cardiac death

8 benefits of

coffee you didn’t

know about

Decreases risk of type 2 diabetes

Does not increase risk of hypertension

Does not increase risk of metabolic syndrome

Arrhythmias with coffee are not a significant factor

The study goes on to note that coffee contains a myriad of

other components besides caffeine, especially antioxidant

polyphenols. These may be altered or removed by coffee

preparation methods such a paper filtration or putting milk

into the coffee. Additionally, there was no noted

cardiovascular advantage or disadvantage to drinking

decaffeinated coffee.

“The bottom line on coffee for those who enjoy the brew, is

that it is a wonderful beverage with rare associated CV

[cardiovascular] disadvantage and with much to

recommend it from an overall CV standpoint”, concluded

the study author.

It’s not just fruits and vegetables that

make the world go round Other scientists have reported that the average cup of coffee

has more antioxidants than an average serving of blueberries

or an orange. And the much touted green tea can’t hold a

8 benefits of

coffee you didn’t

know about

candle to coffee, with a cup of it containing only about 25%

of the antioxidants as found in a cup of coffee.

Antioxidants are the anti-aging polyphenols that counter

oxidation in the body. The high amounts of antioxidants

found in coffee may prevent or delay the diseases associated

with growing older.

The dominant antioxidant polyphenol in coffee is

chlorogenic acid (CGA). Scientists have demonstrated that

CGA exerts many biological properties that include

antibacterial, protection against cancer, and regulation of

glucose and lipid metabolism.

It looks like the combo of caffeine and CGA is a powerful

one for weight loss. Another recent study concluded that this

combination suppresses fat accumulation and body weight

gain by regulating mRNA and protein expression levels of

liver lipid metabolism-related enzymes. These affects are

stronger than those exerted by CGA and caffeine

individually.

Regular coffee consumption may reduce the risk of liver

cancer. Two studies have found that as consumption of

8 benefits of

coffee you didn’t

know about

coffee increases, the risk of liver cancer decreases. This

association is seen in the healthy as well in those with

previous liver disease. The decrease was large, and the

findings were consistent across both studies. Amazingly, a

two cup per day increase in the amount of coffee consumed

was associated with a 43% reduction in risk of developing

liver cancer.

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As for cataracts, researchers in Sweden followed 30,607

women for a period of 7.7 years to see how total antioxidant

capacity affected their development of cataracts. They

found that women with the highest antioxidant rating had the

lowest incidence of age-related cataracts.

Coffee has a long-term impact on cognition. Researchers in

Finlandinvestigated the association between coffee and tea

drinking at midlife and the outcome of Alzheimer’s disease

years later. The 1409 participants were followed for 21 years

as part of a longitudinal study. Those who had been coffee

drinkers at midlife showed a significantly lower incidence of

Alzheimer’s compared to those who did not drink coffee or

drank only small amounts. An jaw dropping 65% decrease

was noted in participants who drank 3 to 5 cups of coffee

8 benefits of

coffee you didn’t

know about

each day. No association was found between cognitive

decline and tea drinking.

Another study found that caffeine all by itself may protect

against development of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers

credited caffeine’s antioxidants as the protective force,

through their ability to reduce inflammation.

Coffee and caffeine are known to affect the limbic system, a

complex system of nerves and networks in the brain,

involving several areas near the cortex concerned with

instinct and mood. It’s what powers emotions like fear or

pleasure, and drives like hunger or dominance. But data on

the influence of coffee and its constituents on

neurotransmitter release has been limited.

Researchers investigated dopamine release and mobilization

in cells after stimulation with coffee. Dopamine is a

hormone as well as a neurotransmitter, and it plays

important roles in the human brain that include motivation

and reward behavior, and motor control. The researchers

concluded that each of the coffee constituents tested

stimulated dopamine release, underscoring the multifaceted

nature of coffee.

8 benefits of

coffee you didn’t

know about

So if you’re having a cup of coffee right now, relax and

enjoy it knowing you are contributing to so may aspects of

your health.

This article was written by Barbara Minton and first appeared on Natural Society