Top 6 Health Benefits of Coffee

Coffee lovers, listen up: your coffee addiction is actually good for your health! That’s right. Coffee is a healthy all-natural stimulant (when you don’t add a bunch of creamers and toppings) and full of antioxidants. If you can’t get your day going without a cup of java, you’ll definitely want to read our top 6 health benefits of coffee:

Reason #6: Coffee is an Anti-Inflammatory

For those suffering from inflammation – ranging from an injury, exercise related muscle-fatigue, or chronic pain – coffee can soothe your discomfort. As a powerful anti-inflammatory, coffee can reduce pain from a variety of conditions and help speed up fitness recovery due to its glycogen content.

Reason #5: Coffee Lowers Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a serious and growing health condition in the U.S. Drinking 4 or more cups of coffee daily can reduce risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 50%. If you’re going to drink coffee to reap this benefit, go halvies on the caffeine – two cups regular, two cups decaf.

Reason #4: Coffee is a Good Source of Fiber

Fiber helps with a range of digestive issues and can keep you regular. Depending on the type and how it’s brewed, coffee can have 1-2 grams of fiber per cup. This can help you achieve your goal of between 20 and 40 grams per day.

Reason #3: Coffee is Packed with Antioxidants

Antioxidants help combat free radicals that scavenge inside our bodies and cause oxidative stress to cells, often leading to serious diseases like cancer. Although coffee isn’t the food with the most antioxidants, it is the leading source of antioxidants among Americans. That goes to show just how much coffee we drink!

Reason #2: Coffee Speeds up the Metabolism

It is a stimulant, after all! Between its antioxidants and caffeine, coffee is beloved by many because it gives a boost of energy. Just as it picks up your energy, it can give your metabolism that same boost to power through workouts, meetings, activities with your kids and everything else that requires your energy every day.

Reason #1: Coffee Makes You Happy

You may think this is a no-brainer but it’s actually a mental health enhancer. By consuming two to four cups of coffee a day, you’re stimulating neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline, all of which contribute to happiness, positivity, calmness and satisfaction. Drinking coffee also reduces likelihood of depression.

Keep in mind, too much of a good thing is not so good. Therefore, limit yourself to two to three cups of caffeinated coffee daily. Also remember that coffee is dehydrating because it is a natural diuretic (and sometimes a laxative too). Combat dehydration from coffee by drinking plenty of water.

Cheers to the health benefits of coffee!!

Sources: I Heart Intelligence, Caffeine Informer, and StethNews

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