Whether you go to work early or you simply woke up on the wrong side of the bed, you’ve likely poured yourself a cup of coffee to get through the day. If you’re like most people, you drink coffee on the daily.
We all know how helpful drinking coffee can be for keeping us awake, but did you know that there are actual health benefits of your morning coffee?
For the 75% of Australians who drink at least one cup of coffee each day, their morning caffeinated beverage could be improving their health.
So, what exactly can coffee do for your health?
1 – Coffee Can Protect Your Liver
A study published in a Hepatology Journal found that both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee was linked to lower levels of liver enzymes.
Higher liver enzyme levels are a sign of cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver. It should go without saying, but scarring on your liver is something you want to avoid.
That’s because most people who are diagnosed with liver cancer had some sign of cirrhosis at the time of their diagnosis.
So, how much can you reduce your chances of developing liver cancer? The American Association for Cancer Research says that coffee drinkers have a 41% lower risk of liver cancer than those who don’t drink it.
Your liver health is so important, and coffee can help you preserve it!
2 – Coffee Can Improve Your Mental Health
You might think that taking a stimulant like caffeine would worsen your mental health, but studies on the mental health benefits of coffee actually show the opposite!
The Harvard School of Public Health found that women who drink four or more cups of coffee a day reduce their risk of depression by a whopping 20%.
If that’s too much coffee for you, you’re still in luck – if you drink 2-3 cups of coffee each day, your risk for developing depression still goes down by 15%.
Another study involving registered nurses found a strong relationship between drinking coffee and a reduced suicide risk.
If you’re struggling with your mental health, there is help available and hope for recovery. In Australia, Lifeline offers crisis support and suicide prevention to those who need it.
3 – Coffee Can Lower Your Chances of Developing Neurological Disorders
Drinking coffee can reduce your risk of devastating neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Certain compounds in roasted coffee have been found to prevent brain plaque build-up, which is what causes Alzheimer’s.
This is especially true for those who drink their coffee dark, since it’s been found to be more effective at curbing neurological disorders.
Stronger coffee has also been linked to lower instances of Parkinson’s Disease. Who knew your caffeine intake could keep your brain healthy?
4 – Coffee Can Reduce Your Risk for Colorectal Cancer
Most people are hyper-aware of the cancer risks on our day to day lives, which gives you another reason to keep up your morning coffee habit.
The risk of developing colorectal cancer could decrease by as much as 50% for those who drink more than 2.5 cups of coffee every day.
Here’s the best part: it doesn’t matter whether the coffee is caffeinated or decaf.
Regardless of how you like it, you can enjoy this health benefit of coffee.
5 – Coffee Could Help You Live Longer
While no one can live forever, coffee drinkers may live longer than those who don’t consume it.
A study in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that drinking coffee reduces your risk of dying young from several conditions, including heart disease, respiratory disease, and stroke.
Men can reduce their risk of premature death from disease by 24% if they drink at least three cups of coffee each day.
You only live once, but the years that coffee can add to your lifespan can help you live your life to its fullest.
6 – Coffee Could Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a common, yet preventable condition. Drinking coffee every day can become a part of your diabetes prevention plan.
For every cup of coffee consumed each day, your risk of developing diabetes drops by 9%.
The benefits of drinking decaf for diabetes prevention are lesser, but still present – each cup of decaf each day reduces your diabetes risk by 6%.
Diabetes is a serious and persistent medical condition that should be avoided as best as it can be. It can lead to complications like nerve damage, cardiovascular disease, and eye damage.
People who develop type 2 diabetes face a 15% increased risk of premature death, so stock up on coffee to lower your chances of dealing with this chronic condition!
7 – Coffee Could Help You Survive a Heart Attack
Heart attacks are no laughing matter, with cardiovascular disease being the leading cause of death worldwide. However, coffee consumption can help you fare better in the event of a cardiovascular episode.
Those who drink two or more cups of coffee every day following a heart attack have been found to have better chances of surviving their cardiac arrest.
With heart disease being the top cause of death in modern times, this finding is monumental in helping people combat heart conditions.
Forget what the naysayers have to say – there are health benefits to coffee that go beyond just staying energized.
Drinking coffee every morning is one habit you don’t want to break!
