Top 10 Health Benefits of Coffee

There has been plenty of debate over whether coffee is a beverage we should be drinking. A group of studies back in the 70s had many people convinced that coffee was responsible for a whole litany of health problems while studies conducted in the 80s and 90s contradicted their predecessors. Today we have a much larger body of evidence from which to draw. The evidence shows that, while there may be some negative health effects of drinking too much coffee, consuming America’s favorite hot beverage in moderation is actually good for you.

Here are the top 10 health benefits of coffee, taken from a list of 19 benefits published by Caffeine Informer. Each of these items is documented on their website via links to scientific studies.

1. Greater Longevity – Numerous studies from Japan, Greece and the U.S. demonstrate that moderate coffee consumption increases longevity by reducing the risk of premature death due to certain diseases.

2. Reduced Risk of Death by Heart Attack – People who consume two or more cups of coffee daily following a heart attack have a lower risk of dying from a future heart attack.

3. Reduced Risk of Cancer – Studies have shown that moderate coffee consumption can reduce the risk of several different kinds of cancer including colorectal cancer, liver cancer, and melanoma.

4. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Protection – Coffee drinkers are at lower risk for developing both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

5. Lower Risk of Depression and Suicide – Studies of tens of thousands of subjects demonstrate fewer incidents of depression and suicide among moderate coffee drinkers.

6. Lower Risk of Diabetes – People who drink six or more cups of coffee per day are 22% less likely to develop type II diabetes.

7. Protection against Cirrhosis – Coffee drinkers tend to have lower liver enzyme levels, thus promoting a lower risk of developing cirrhosis.

8. Lower Risk of Heart Disease – A Korean study showed that moderate coffee drinkers are less likely to exhibit warning signs of heart disease.

9. Better Oral Health – Research from Brazil found that strong, black coffee may prevent cavities by killing oral bacteria. A U.S. study tracking men over 30 years suggests that coffee has a protective benefit for oral health.

10. Pain Relief – Studies have shown that moderate coffee consumption can reduce muscle pain caused by physical exertion.

Black Coffee Is Best

It should be noted that the majority of the studies involved black coffee. In other words, adding cream and sugar to your daily cup may negate some of its health benefits. Oral health is but one example. While coffee may kill oral bacteria, cream and sugar still promote tooth decay.

Coffee has proven to be good for you if consumed in moderation. If you drink coffee for its health benefits, you now have ten more things to consider. If you drink it just because you like it, that’s okay too. At Galaxie Coffee, it’s all good to us. We’re in the coffee business because we love coffee.