Health Benefits of Coffee – Is Caffeine Good for You?

To the world of coffee addicts, have you ever wondered if your addiction is a good thing or not? Well here are a few bits of information to help answer that question – or in the very least help you understand the perfect morning pick-me-up beverage we have all become so reliant on in this fast paced-world we are trying to navigate.

What does coffee do to you?

Coffee is a stimulant which basically gives you the feeling of being more energized and alert as well as providing a temporary relief from drowsiness.

That amazing feeling you get when drinking coffee (especially in the morning) is the wonderful free flow of dopamine which is pure pleasure or at least the root cause of feeling pleasure as it races through your body.

Coffee can also increase urination and keep you regular. It’s more than just a comforting drink that goes down well whether hot or cold, it’s got health benefits too. 

Health and nutritional effects of caffeine

Caffeine is one of our most beloved components of coffee since it helps stimulate dopamine. Your nervous system uses dopamine to communicate between nerve cells which causes pleasure. 

Studies show that caffeine can also reduce the risks of type 2 diabetes, Alzeheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Plus, this drug has been known to protect bodies from common liver diseases, and it’s a source of a number of vitamins. 

But there are a few negative effects that caffeine can have on you as well. It’s known to cause sleeping issues, elevate blood pressure, and increase anxiety. So, like all good things, moderation is key. 

Pros and cons of coffee

Diving a little deeper into the age-old question of whether coffee is good or bad for you?

Here is a list of pros and cons that will hopefully help you answer that question as it varies from person to person.

Is coffee good for you? Pros

Coffee has a list of positives for those who enjoy a cup or two every morning.

1. Boosts physical performance – by making our brain forget that it is actually tired.
2. Immediately inhibits lethargy (feeling tired) creating the feeling of being energized.
3. Speeds up your metabolism – which can contribute to burning fat and weight loss.
4. Increases dopamine – which helps in fighting depression reducing the risk of suicide.
5. Helps keep you regular – so if you don’t like All Bran, put the kettle on.
6. Lowers the risk of certain diseases – such as type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. 
7. High in antioxidants – we consume more antioxidants from coffee than most foods.

Not to mention it’s a great excuse to meet up with old friends or someone new… 

Is coffee bad for you?

With all good things there are limits if you feel like you are having side effects or withdrawal it’s probably time to cut back it’s all about balance guys! 

Here is a list of things to watch out for –

1. Confusion – due to the overstimulation of neurons.
2. Heartburn/reflux – coffee is acidic which can unbalance the PH levels of the stomach.
3. Rapid heart beat – overdosing on caffeine can cause arrhythmias.
4. Depletes serotonin – which is the neurotransmitter that helps with sleeping, eating and digestion.

Benefits of coffee

Well I don’t really need any more convincing but in case you do keep reading.

Here’s a list of some of the benefits of drinking coffee.

1. Lowers the risk or type 2 diabetes and liver cancer
2. Reduces the probability of gallstones
3. May protect against heart failure.
4. High in antioxidants which helps remove free radicals from the body.

And if you are anything like me, coffee just makes me a better person in general – but definitely before 10am. 

Interesting coffee facts

I’m a sucker for the weird and wonderful things in life so I thought I would share some interesting things about the only beverage that I will actually wake up for.

1. Coffee dates back to the 9th century and even though we call them coffee beans they are actually seeds. These seeds make coffee fruit so you are at least getting one of your five a day in, BONUS!
2. Coffee is the second-most traded commodity in the world only being outdone by crude oil (not very exciting). On average, ten tonnes of coffee are produced every year to keep all of us addicts from rioting.
3. There are two types of coffee, the original Arabica and the Robusta. The latter is a hardier plant and with global warming we’ll need more of those. The Robusta also has double the caffeine which I’m not complaining about.
4. According to research, Finnish people drink the most coffee but no one ever interviewed my household so they could be wrong. I’m considering sending a complaint so if you know who researched this stuff could you let me know?!
5. If this next fact is true then men I’m sorry to say but you’ll need to step it up! In ancient Arab culture a wife could allegedly file for divorce on the grounds that her husband had failed to bring her coffee in the morning! I will remember this in the future and definitely consider implementing this in my life regardless of whether it’s fact or fiction!