If you're reading this, you most likely enjoy having a cup or more of coffee throughout the day. Whether it is for the much-needed morning kick or simply to enjoy the complex flavors of this beverage from around the world, coffee has worked its way to being a staple in most of our lives. So it would follow that there has been a plethora of research into the health benefits and implications of coffee consumption
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1. You could have a longer life
Multiple studies have associated coffee drinkers with longer life spans. Habitual coffee drinkers are less likely to be affected by things such as kidney and heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
2. Your body will be able to process glucose better
This is the exact reason why coffee drinkers are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Researchers at Harvard tracked more than 100,000 people for around 20 years. They discovered that people who had increased their consumption of coffee by one cup a day had an 11% less chance of developing type-2 diabetes. Furthermore, they found that people who reduced their coffee intake by one cup a day had a 17% higher chance of developing this condition.
3. Coffee helps your DNA be stronger
Dark roast coffee is known to aid in reduction of DNA strand breakage. This occurs naturally, however can lead to serious conditions such as cancer or tumors if not repaired by your cells. A 2015 study concluded that repeated consumption of coffee was associated with a reduced DNA strand breakage, noticeable as early as 2 hours after the first coffee intake!
4. You might reduce your risk of colon cancer
A 2016 study which followed 9000 people in Israel found that drinking as little as one or two cups of coffee a day reduced the risk of people getting colon cancer by 26%. Furthermore, another 2017 study found that people already diagnosed with colon cancer had a much lower risk of early death if they drank four cups of coffee a day. More research is required but the present research sure does look promising!
5. Coffee may be protecting your liver
An elevated level of liver enzymes in the body signifies potential inflammation in the liver, or some sort of liver damage. Research showed that people who drank three or more cups of coffee a day had a lower level of these enzymes found in comparison to people who did not consume coffee.
6. It may contribute to the prevention of strokes
A stroke is the fourth leading cause of death for women. Recent studies have found that women are 19% less likely to suffer from a stroke if they consume two to three cups of coffee a day, and 20% less if they consume four or more cups of coffee in a day; even after taking into account smoking and other aggravators.
7. Coffee may be helpful in preventing Parkinson’s disease
A study done in 2010 found that the higher the level of caffeine consumption, the lower the risk of developing Parkinson’s. Another 2015 study done in Japan found that people living with Parkinson’s Disease have lower levels of caffeine in their blood levels. These results are extremely insightful and promising, and encourage the need for further research into the exploration of caffeine-related therapies in the prevention of the development of this disease in people with a family history of this condition.
Conclusion
These reasons are pretty fascinating! Who knew a daily dose of your favorite brew might be helping you swerve serious conditions like Parkinson’s and strokes?
Although the research into coffee and its health implications is ongoing, we simply cannot ignore the evidence in front of us. Coffee has been continuously proving its worth in aspects we would never have thought of!
The next time someone reprimands you for being on your third cup of the day, show them this article and let them know you are actually helping out your body by consuming coffee!
Nicola Royce
Registered Dietitian,
Postgraduate Diploma Diabetes,
Masters in Nutrition
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