Why Is Coffee Good for You? Here Are 7 Reasons

Even though coffee has various health benefits, it is always advised not to drink too much of it. About 400 mg a day is safe for most healthy adults. That is approximately the amount of caffeine in four cups of brewed coffee, 10 cans of cola, or two energy drinks.

The health benefits of coffee are controversial and coffee may result in certain side effects, such as:

• The caffeine present in coffee has some adverse effects, such as:
  • sleep disturbances,
  • anxiety,
  • decreased absorption of nutrients,
  • stained and weak teeth,
  • increased blood pressure, and
  • hormonal imbalance in women, especially during menopause.
• Avoid sugar in the coffee to get the maximum health benefits.
• Avoid drinking coffee in the afternoon and before sleep because the caffeine in it may alter your sleep cycle.
• Although it has health benefits coffee should be avoided in a few people, such as pregnant and breastfeeding women and people who are prone to anxiety and under medications.

1. Makes you alert: Coffee contains an active ingredient called caffeine that acts as a stimulant to the brain and makes you alert. Caffeine acts as a stimulant by blocking adenosine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Then, the brain releases other neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and norepinephrine.
   • It helps improve memory, mood temporarily, and brain function.
   • Consuming two to three cups of coffee a day will increase memory.
   • The consumption of coffee may decrease the chances of depression.
2. Burns fat: Coffee acts as a stimulant to the nervous system and improves the metabolism and oxidation of fatty acids. Thus, coffee helps burn fat and makes you stay active.
3. Helps maintain blood sugar levels: Studies report that people who drink coffee regularly are less likely to develop type II diabetes compared to people who drink very fewer amounts of coffee. It is because of a few unknown ingredients that lower blood sugar levels. Caffeine helps with insulin resistance or the inability to produce insulin. Some believe that antioxidants may help lower blood sugar levels.
4. Lowers the risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease: Coffee protects you from neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease in old age. Alzheimer's is the most common neurodegenerative disorder that occurs in old age that leads to dementia. Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. Coffee lowers the risk of dementia and neurodegenerative disorders that lead to dementia.
5. Extremely good for the liver: Foods and alcohol can cause gradual damage to the liver. Cirrhosis of the liver is the scarring of the liver, where scar tissues form during the repair. Individuals who consume three to four cups of coffee a day lowers the risk of cirrhosis of the liver by 80 to 90 percent and liver cancer by 40 percent.
6. Helps live longer: Most people believe that the intake of coffee is unhealthy, but it is a myth. Coffee consumption helps you live longer by lowering the risk of causes that can lead to early death. This is mostly observed in people with type II diabetes. Studies report that drinking coffee lowers the chances of death by about 30 percent.
7. Coffee is high in antioxidants and nutrients: Coffee beans contain various nutrients that are beneficial to health, such as
   • 6 percent of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
   • 11 percent of the RDA for riboflavin (vitamin B2)
   • 2 percent of the RDA for niacin (B3) and thiamine (B1)
   • 3 percent of the RDA for potassium and manganese