Coffee: The Key to a Healthy Life

Morning after a sleepless night, a business meeting, evening gatherings with friends — in these situations, one can’t do without a cup of aromatic espresso, Americano with milk, or coconut milk cappuccino. Caffeine not only lifts the mood and invigorates but also improves health.

Debates about whether coffee is beneficial or not persist to this day, but the arguments in favor of coffee are stronger now than ever. Studies show that from your favorite morning drink, you can get more than you thought: coffee is full of substances that protect you from diseases more common among women, including Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease. Hopkins Medicine writes about this.

Caffeine is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of coffee. But coffee also contains antioxidants and other active substances that can reduce inflammation and protect against diseases, say nutrition experts from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. This drink gives you a lot of benefits, besides increasing energy. Here’s how coffee can affect your health.

Increase in Life Expectancy

Recent studies have shown that coffee lovers are less likely to die from certain diseases that are the leading causes of death among women: ischemic heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and kidney diseases. This means that regular consumption of coffee may be the key to a long and healthy life.

Better Glucose Metabolism

This theory underlies studies showing that people who drink more coffee are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes. This is because caffeine helps the body metabolize glucose more efficiently, which can reduce the risk of developing diabetes.

Reduced Risk of Heart Failure

By consuming just a few cups of coffee a day, you can reduce the risk of heart failure and help your heart pump enough blood. This is especially important for those who are prone to heart problems or want to prevent them.

Lower Chance of Parkinson’s Disease

Caffeine not only reduces the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease but can also help people with this condition better control their movements. This means that coffee can be not only a preventive measure but also a help in managing the symptoms of this neurodegenerative disease.

Improved Liver Health

Both regular and decaffeinated coffee have a protective effect on your liver. Studies show that coffee lovers are more likely to have liver enzyme levels within the healthy range compared to people who do not drink coffee. This means that coffee can help maintain liver health and prevent the development of various liver diseases.

Strong DNA

Dark roast coffee reduces breaks in DNA strands that occur naturally but can lead to cancer or tumors if your cells don’t repair them. This means that regular consumption of coffee can help prevent the development of cancer and other dangerous diseases.

Lower Risk of Colorectal Cancer

One in 23 women develops colorectal cancer. But researchers have found that those who drink coffee — decaffeinated or regular — have a 26% lower chance of developing colorectal cancer. This means that coffee can be an important factor in preventing this type of cancer.

Reduced Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

Patients with Alzheimer’s disease are mostly women, but caffeine can provide protection against the development of this condition. In fact, researchers have found that women aged 65 and older who drank two to three cups of coffee a day were overall less likely to develop dementia. This means that coffee can be a key to preserving cognitive function and slowing down brain aging.

Lower Chance of Stroke

For women, consuming at least one cup of coffee a day is associated with a reduced risk of stroke, which is the fourth most significant cause of death among women. This means that coffee can be an important factor in stroke prevention and protecting your brain from damage.

However, excessive consumption of caffeinated coffee can cause nervousness and provoke:

• Rapid heartbeat
• Increased blood pressure
• Anxiety
• Sleeping problems

According to dietary recommendations, it is safe for most women to drink from three to five cups of coffee a day with a maximum dose of 400 milligrams of caffeine.

But if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, the rules are different. Before adding caffeine to your diet, consult your gynecologist.

Previously, Focus wrote about how to make delicious coffee at home without spoiling its taste.

This material is purely informational and does not contain advice that may affect your health. If you have any problems, consult a specialist.