Library of Nature: Coffee
Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. It may also be healthy on account of its high antioxidant levels and nutrients. There are studies to indicate that coffee drinkers have lower risks of certain conditions. Hence, you should know about coffee’s benefits.
Improves Energy Levels
Coffee has stimulating properties that can help alleviate fatigue. It can help boost your energy levels and make you feel less tired. This is due to the stimulant found in coffee that is known as caffeine. Caffeine is the world’s most widely consumed psychoactive substance.
When you drink coffee, caffeine blocks the neurotransmitter known as adenosine. When this neurotransmitter is suppressed, levels of dopamine and norepinephrine increase which allows more neurons to work. (1)
As coffee drinkers will know, coffee consumption boosts various aspects of the brain like mental function, reaction times, energy levels, mood, vigilance, and memory. (2)
Helps Burn Fat
Caffeine is an ingredient in many fat-burning supplements sold commercially because it is a natural substance that can boost fat burning. In addition, its diuretic action can help the body get rid of salt and water.
Caffeine consumption can increase your metabolic rate by 3 to 11 percent. (3) Some studies show that increased fat burning can be 10 percent in overweight individuals and as much as 29 percent in lean persons. (4)
However, more studies are needed to prove that increased fat burning happens long-term in coffee drinkers.
Better Physical Performance
Caffeine stimulates the nervous system to start breaking down body fat. (5)
This helps to boost adrenaline levels in your bloodstream. Adrenaline is a hormone that can help you with physical exertion. Caffeine starts breaking down fat cells, due to which free fatty acids become available as fuel for the body.
Hence, drinking coffee can improve physical exertion by double digits, thanks to caffeine. (6)
Therefore, it is a good idea to have a cup of coffee before going out to the gym.
That is because the caffeine in coffee allows the release of fatty acids that can help with physical performance.
Reduced Diabetes Risk
Drinking coffee could reduce your risk of diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is a serious health problem that affects tens of millions around the world. But coffee drinkers seem to have a lower incidence of this disease.
A large review study that includes over 450,000 individuals shows that each cup of coffee can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 7 percent. (7)
Besides the above benefits, Caffeine has also proven to be a great anti-cellulite component with decongestant and reshaping properties. It is used externally with coconut oil and coarse salt as an exfoliating cream.
Bottom Line
Undoubtedly, coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world. It can help you to improve mental performance while also tasting good. However, be careful! Too much coffee consumption can be dangerous for the body and can lead to other issues. It can put too much strain on the body and become an addiction if consumed in excess.
References:
(1) http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0773.1995.tb00111.x/abstract
(2) http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-3010.2007.00665.x/full
(3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2912010
(4) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14684395
(5) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10094584