Caffeine and coffee in particular are often seen as an enemy to good health. We often enthuse about the benefits of a good night’s sleep and look at drinking coffee as one of the inhibitors of it. We talk about the importance of good hydration and how water is much better than caffeinated drinks. But actually, coffee is like most things. Drink too much of it, and there are, of course, side effects. But enjoyed in moderation and those delicious cups of coffee could actually be hugely beneficial. Here’s a look at some of the benefits of being a coffee drinker.
There are So Many Options
When you are a coffee drinker, you always have plenty of beverage options when you are out and when you are at home. You can enjoy different types of beans, from different parts of the world. You can have anything from an americano to a caramel latte. You can add syrups and flavorings to basic coffees and enjoy different styles made with different types of machines. Coffee drinkers are never going to be bored.
It Can Be a Hot or Cold Drink
Coffee can be a lovely warm drink on a cold day. It can warm you up and bring you comfort when it’s cold outside and even keep your hands and face warm if you drink it on your early morning commute. But coffee can also be made as a cold drink that’s incredibly refreshing on a hot day.
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Coffee Boosts Your Energy Levels
Caffeine is a fantastic energy boost. The caffeine in coffee boosts your energy levels and reduces fatigue by blocking the receptors of adenosine, a neurotransmitter. By doing this it increases quantities of the other neurotransmitters present in your brain that control energy.
This can help to kickstart your morning, give you a boost if you are struggling with an afternoon slump, and reduce the fatigue that you feel during exercise, helping you to carry on for longer.
Coffee can also have a placebo effect. We’re so used to the idea that a cup of coffee will boost our energy levels, that we imagine that it does, which is almost as good as a real boost.
A Coffee Break Can Improve Your Mood
If you’ve had a stressful day, something upsetting has happened, or you’ve had to face challenges and setbacks, sitting down with a cup of coffee can be a way to relax and unwind, but also a chance to take a break, so that you can head back refreshed and ready to go. This can improve your mood and stop a bad day in its tracks.
Coffee is Rich in Antioxidants
Studies show that coffee is one of the biggest sources of antioxidants in our diet. It’s rich in polyphenols and hydroxycinnamic acids, which can neutralize free radicals and reduce the risk of several diseases.
Coffee Can be Very Social
Coffee is something that you can enjoy with friends and family. We meet people for coffee or invite them round for a coffee. It’s a great part of many social interactions and is an excellent way to break the ice with new people.
Drinking Coffee Can Help with Weight Loss
Have you ever noticed that when you first wake up you are really hungry, but if you have a coffee, your hunger abates for a while? This is because coffee can work as an appetite suppressant. Drinking coffee can reduce the risk of snacking and overeating at mealtimes.
Drinking coffee can also reduce water retention, which can mean that you lose water weight, but also that your tummy doesn’t look as round and bloated.
Some people also find that coffee boosts their metabolism and helps them to burn calories faster. But this often only applies to people who didn’t drink coffee before and tends to be a short-term effect.
Drinking Coffee Could Help You to Live for Longer
There is some research that drinking coffee in moderation can reduce the risks of your developing diabetes, liver disease, heart failure, Parkinson’s disease, colon cancer or of having a stroke. All of which might mean that you live for longer.
While some of these studies are fairly small, and there’s no conclusive proof, many people find that a cup of coffee increases their energy levels, which can mean that they exercise for longer or at a higher intensity, which definitely reduces the risk of a huge range of health conditions.
When enjoyed in moderation, coffee can be good for your energy levels, mood, health, and fitness and because there are so many different options nowadays, it’s something that you’ll never get bored of. So, start savoring those cups of coffee without guilt or worry.
