The health effects of coffee are pretty controversial.

Caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive substance in the world. Though the effects of coffee on the human body has been researched well, coffee still remains a beverage with complex constituent.

Coffee has been both praised and mocked for centuries. Some have blamed coffee to cause impotence and madness, while to others it’s a cure for laziness or “gift from heaven”. Depending on whomever you ask, people’s view range from coffee being a super healthy beverage to being incredibly harmful.

So let’s see the health benefits of coffee

1. Coffee contains Caffeine

Caffeine is a stimulant that not only enhances brain activity but also boosts metabolism. It fires up your physical performance. A cup of black coffee, about an hour before workout, can improve your performance by 10% to 11%. Caffeine increases adrenaline levels in your blood, which helps you to prepare for physical exertion. Intake of coffee, in moderation, improves mental alertness. It also assist in break down of fat cells and release of energy, which can be used as a fuel for training.

2. Coffee may help you lose weight

Coffee contains several nutrients including magnesium, potassium and phosphorous. These help in the utilization of insulin. Insulin levels in turn regulate the blood sugar levels and reduce craving for sugar filled snacks and treats.

3. Coffee lowers risk of death

Studies have shown that, the overall risk of premature death of a coffee drinker is 25% lower than of those who don’t drink coffee.
Research says, coffee reduces risk of cancers. Studies have shown that coffee may decrease the risk of developing prostate cancer in men by 20 %, and endometrial cancer in women by 25 %. Caffeine may also prevent development of basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer.

Reasonable consumption of coffee also reduces the risk of stroke.

Coffee protects your brain at old age. It reduces risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have shown that regular coffee drinking decreases risk of Parkinson’s disease by 25 %. It also lowers risk of dementia.

Coffee contains antioxidants that boosts our immunity.

4. Coffee may lower risk of Type II diabetes 

Caffeine decreases your insulin sensitivity and impairs glucose tolerance, therefore reduces your risk of type 2 diabetes.

5. Coffee lifts up your mood

Coffee helps fight depression and lowers risk of suicide. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and boosts production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and nor adrenaline, which elevate your mood. Two cups of coffee a day prevents risk of suicide by 50 %.

Though coffee has fewer risks compared with benefits, yet it should be noted that other beverages such as milk and some fruit juices contain nutrients that coffee doesn’t. Don’t forget that adding cream and sugar to your coffee, adds up fat and calories. Also going overboard with coffee can disrupt sleep and even cause insomnia in some people.

Let me know if this helped in the comment sections below.