Five Healthy Reasons to Enjoy Your Morning Coffee
In recent studies, several health benefits have been attributed to drinking coffee on a daily basis. It has also been found that the more you drink, the greater the benefits. So pour yourself a cup, pull up a chair, and enjoy.
After hitting the button on my alarm clock each morning, I roll out of bed and proceed to hit the button on the computer and the button on the coffee maker. Arguably, the most important is the one on the coffee maker, because without out it, I’m really not good for much else. I am a caffeine addict. For years, I’ve felt guilty about this addiction. But it seems that coffee has received a bum rap. Recent studies indicate that there may be health benefits for those who regularly indulge in a beloved cup of joe. Here are just some of the benefits being attributed to the magic of the coffee bean.
- Diabetes – In a Harvard study spanning 18 years, results indicate that those who consumed one to three cups of caffeinated coffee on a daily basis reduced the risk of diabetes by single digits. But the news gets better for the true addicts like myself. For those true coffee lovers who drink six or more cups a day, the risk of diabetes was slashed by 54% for men and 30% for women, compared to those consuming no coffee. The antioxidants in coffee are shown to help improve glucose metabolism and the body’s response to insulin.
- Headaches – The caffeine in coffee has been long recognized by the manufacturers of pain relievers such as Anacin and Excedrin for the treatment of headaches. That’s why these products contain up to 120 milligrams of caffeine per dose. That’s the equivalent of drinking a big cup of coffee.
- Risk of cavities – According to an Italian study, coffee contains a compound known as trigoneline which is known to have antibacterial and anti-adhesive properties which aid in the prevention of cavities.
- Athleticism – Caffeine enhances strength and endurance in athletes. It is believed that it causes muscles to produce a stronger contraction and stimulates the brain and nervous system to perform in a different manner. So much so, that until recently, caffeine in coffee or any other form, was recognized as a controlled substance by the Olympic Games Committee and was allowed only in limited usage by athletes.
- Skin cancer – Research indicates that caffeine, either ingested or applied topically, provides important anticarcinogenic benefits. In several recent studies, caffeine consumption has been associated with lower incidences of nonmelanoma skin cancers. The antioxidants in coffee prevent free radicals from causing cell damage.
In addition, coffee consumption has been linked to a reduction in breast cancer, Parkinson’s disease, colon cancer, asthma, cirrhosis of the liver, gout, and Alzheimer’s disease. And for the most part, the more coffee you drink the more positive the effect. As with all medical research, results vary for each individual. Always check with your doctor before making any drastic change to your diet. Now, sit down, relax and enjoy that cup of coffee.
Liked it
Betty Carew | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
Excellent article Joni I guess I’ll have to take up drinking coffee again I turned to drinking tea a few years ago
Christine Ramsay | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
Wow! I had no idea there were so many benefits to drinking coffee. Unfortunately caffeine causes me to crawl up the walls and have palpitations if I drink more than one cup a day. I do drink decaffeinated coffee though. A great article.
Christine
gianne | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
Joni, I was sure that you were SELLING a wonderful new coffee and donating the proceeds to “live a better life”. (lol)
As I sit here with coffe in hand, I feel like a superstar. I may pretend that I knew all this stuff!
Grest writing!
JK Kristie | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
Excellent info; stumbled this.
LBA | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
Great info and I love my coffee.
lee
Kate Smedley | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
I love this article, my first morning coffee is such a pleasure, thanks for giving me reasons to drink more.
Radu | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
Ok.but what about the increased blood pressure??that’s no good!
Rick | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
Good article, i’m on my 7th today lol
papaleng | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
a helpful article for coffee drinkers.
Juhls | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
I will pass thing along to my mum… she will love it!
Some of the properties mentioned here are also found in teas, per the literature/research out there. It’s nice to know that these mainstream beverages have some benefits!
Well done, Joni!
ML Sheldon | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
I don’t drink coffee, personally, but those do sound like good benefits.
One thing that I’m confused on… My dad already has diabetes, but he isn’t supposed to drink coffee because of it. I’m not sure what the connection is there.
But anywho, good article.
It was very interesting.
Juhls | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
The note about “for the most part, the more coffee you drink the more positive the effect” is probably too broad, though. Even good things in too large or frequent of doses can have adverse effects. With caffeine in general that may be increase BP or difficulting sleeping or nervousness, green tea specifically can decrease folic acid levels, and even water in excessive amounts can cause death. So “more coffee” without quantification is probably a bit broad of a statment. Just for a precautious safety aspect! Balance is key for most good things!
Erin Cree | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
Oh how I love my coffee. its my one weakness! (okay well maybe not my only weakness)
Erin
Likha | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
I never was a coffee drinker. It makes me palpitate all day. So its milk and hot choco for me. But yes, I’ve learned about some of its benefits from my mom who swears she never felt better by drinking 4 cups a day. Just a warning though, coffee and cigarettes don’t mix.
miraj | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
Wow, life is a box of chocolate,you’ll never know what you’ll get.
Here i was thinking about the ill-effect of caffeine and strictly sticking to liquor,and suddenly i stuble upon something like this,thanks for the tip.kudos to you for the research done on the article.maybe one day they’ll find the benefits of nicotine too.I hope.
rutherfranc | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
OK, I`ll have one cup please… great share..
Darla Smith | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for sharing this wonderful article! I drink several cups of coffee a day and it’s good to know there are health benefits to it.
Joni Keith | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
It has been brought to my attention that the statement I made “And for the most part, the more coffee you drink the more positive the effect.” may have been too broad. That’s why I also advise you to consult with you doctor. But I neglected to mention the importance of drinking adequate amounts of water so as not to damage your kidneys. DRINK WATER which is truly the all time health drink.
Sharazad | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
Praise GOD! I love coffee. Sine cofeo nihil sum- without coffee I am nothing (I stole that motto from Sarah Vowell)
The only thing I love more than coffee is tea. And the only thing I love more than coffee and tea is Barnes and Noble, where I can have coffee, buy some books and then have tea.
But I have to drink decaf coffee, because I am excitable.
M A Bhanpurwala | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
Excellent article and informative
jo oliver | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
I had not heard this before. Great find. Thank you for sharing. My mom will be overjoyed. I have never liked the taste of coffee, myself.
Emma C S | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
Fantastic! Five more reasons to love coffee…and coke… and tea… and proplus. lol
Sotiris | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
That’s good news for coffee drinkers!
Majic | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
Yup. Now I don’t have to write about it.
Joshua Miguel | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
Im a coffe lover myself. coffee is the best creation ever. thanks for inspiring me to drink my coffee..
F J McCarthy | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
Thank you for this, I drink 1/2 a pot and the rest gets wasted, not anymore. Good article.
James DeVere | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
Coffee is just fantastic – your article confirms what I knew animally – it feels good. May I suggest a sister articles on cocoa and teas?
Thanks for the positive news . j
Vikram Chhabra | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
I should get back to my original morning coffee routine after reading this!!
denus | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
well done joni, great article Im glad i drink coffee now!
Sakuragi | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
I went to a health seminar several months ago in which the speaker said coffee is good for the health, but he stressed that it should be brewed, not the instant coffee we buy at the grocery. =)
Thanks for this informative article!
Katien | Mar 5, 2009 | Reply
Great article for coffee lovers. I only drink tea now, after having a terrible time giving up coffee which I used to drink a lot of. Still, tea has some caffeine in it so maybe I’m getting some benefit from that!
hfj | Mar 5, 2009 | Reply
Great article and very informative. I’m having a cup right now, maybe two. Thanks for sharing. Well done.
Karen Gross | Mar 5, 2009 | Reply
Thank you! I need to show this article to my husband – he thinks that coffee is a bad habit. Coffee comes from a bean, and beans are vegetables, right! Chocolate also comes from a bean. These are my 2 favourite vegetables.
Jim | Mar 5, 2009 | Reply
Can u please go to my triond content and comment/click i like it thanks http://www.gameolosophy.com/Games/Online/RuneScape/RuneScape-PVP-vs-Old-RuneScape-Wildy.572305
Lauren | Mar 5, 2009 | Reply
I do drink coffee, but you have to watch out about the amount you consume. Increased amounts of coffee can raise blood pressure, and if people have no idea how the heart works, this can be a very thing.
S M Blomker | Mar 5, 2009 | Reply
For me to much coffee make me gitter to much. But, its still interesting info…ty.
Irishgirl | Mar 5, 2009 | Reply
Great article. Now I don’t feel so guilty drinking all that coffee!
Dee Gold | Mar 6, 2009 | Reply
I didn’t know what I’m missing.I need to try coffee.
BC Doan | Mar 6, 2009 | Reply
Very informative article!
Too much caffeine makes my heart races faster, and nervous stomach..So you have to check with your doctor!
Star Dust | Mar 6, 2009 | Reply
I like to hear that after all, coffee is not all that bad. The pictures you picked were very appealing! Great article in putting info and nice picture together. Thanks,
vivereque | Mar 6, 2009 | Reply
I love coffee…espresso, Joe, cappucino, black, mocha, latte…all things in moderation.
C LEBLANC | Mar 6, 2009 | Reply
this is awesome! im going to go pour myself a cup right now.
Bullwinkle Muse | Mar 6, 2009 | Reply
Well,now. Based on my own coffee intake, I must be the healthiest person on the planet. I’m goin’ for another refill.
Nice piece. Good to find informative stuff here.
Stacy Renee | Mar 6, 2009 | Reply
Good stuff. With so much conflicting research out all the time about things we all enjoy (coffee, alcohol), it’s nice to temper the bad news research with the good. Thanks for sharing.
nan | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
Who knew? Now I have a reason for that second cup in the morning!
irishgirl | Mar 16, 2009 | Reply
Great article. Won’t feel so guilty about drinking coffee anymore!
Chad | Apr 3, 2009 | Reply
Drink coffee if you like, but all of these benefits can be attained from other sources. This isn’t earth shattering.
Uma Shankari | May 8, 2009 | Reply
Loved the article. Great article, presented in an interesting way.