The Health Benefits of Drinking Coffee

There was a time when researchers at Harvard University believed that coffee had a negative effect on the health of humans. However, much to the relief of coffee lovers everywhere, more recent studies have founded that coffee may actually be beneficial to our health. Coffee can help in the prevention and treatment of numerous diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, skin cancers, liver disease, Parkinson’s disease and many others.

Moderate coffee consumption has been shown to help prevent gallstones and improve cognitive function. Coffee drinkers may even help their colon health by drinking a few cups of java per day. Coffee gives people that extra pep that they need to start their day, which also has been shown to improve physical activities in endurance performance.

Recent studies have not found any link to coffee consumption and the increase of heart disease or cancer. High levels of coffee consumption however, can raise cholesterol levels, so the key is to drink in moderation. Coffee has a high level of antioxidants that is very beneficial to the human body. Antioxidants help keep away the toxic free radicals and help to keep away cancer, heart disease and stroke. Not adding milk and sugar can up the beneficial factor as well. The consumption of caffeine raises blood pressure, so to get optional benefits from drinking coffee, keeping it decaffeinated is the better option. There is no difference in the amount of antioxidants in decaf compared to regular coffee. Drinking the caffeinated version may have some small benefits, especially where analgesics is considered. Caffeine contains analgesics which are considered to increase the power of pain killers. This is why a lot of medications for headaches and migraines have caffeine in them.

Studies have shown that coffee consumption among men over 40 years old has lowered their risk of gout. Cancer findings have proven that coffee lowers the risk of esophageal, oral and pharyngeal cancers.

Many people enjoy the taste and benefits of coffee on a daily basis. Some may drink it simply for the benefit of the ability to increase short term memory recall. The key, as with everything, is moderation. Also, remember to keep it as close to natural as possible, with no added sugars and heavy creams.

With all these things in mind, you can feel great about enjoying your single serve morning k-cup. You are not only satisfying your taste buds but perhaps you are even helping your body in the process.