All the reasons a cup of coffee really can be good for you

PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

Justin Stebbing, Anglia Ruskin University

Consuming too much caffeine is definitely bad for your health, and there may be good reasons why some people want to quit it altogether. But if you despair at the idea of giving up your morning coffee, fear not.

There’s lots of research out there to show that moderate coffee intake is linked with all sorts of benefits. As well as well-known pluses improving heart health, a daily cup of coffee even seems to be good for your brain and may help prevent mental illness.

For a start, coffee contains several essential nutrients beneficial to overall health. A typical eight-ounce cup of coffee provides small amounts of B vitamins – riboflavin, pantothenic acid, thiamine and niacin – as well as minerals potassium, manganese, and magnesium. The nutrients in coffee can contribute significantly to daily intake when multiple cups are consumed.

It’s also rich in antioxidants. In fact, many people – especially in the west – will probably get more antioxidants from coffee than from fruit and vegetables.

So what does drinking coffee actually mean for the body? One of the most well-known potential benefits of coffee is its ability to boost energy levels and improve mental alertness, especially first thing in the morning or during an afternoon slump.

This is primarily due to caffeine, a natural stimulant found in coffee, which blocks the brain’s inhibitory neurotransmitter adenosine, which promotes sleep and suppresses arousal. This leads to increased neuronal firing and the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine, which enhance mood, reaction time and cognitive function.

However, sometimes it’s difficult to work out cause and effect here. People drink coffee at work, for example, and in social settings with friends so research has to tease out the effects of the coffee and those of the social aspect of sharing time with friends and colleagues.

Chronic diseases

In the long term, moderate coffee consumption can help reduce your risk of developing a host of chronic diseases.

1. Cardiovascular diseases

Moderate coffee consumption is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke. Studies indicate that drinking one to two cups of coffee daily may lower the risk of heart failure. Additionally, coffee consumption has been linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular mortality and disease. Interestingly, even when someone has abnormal heart rhythms, coffee is not harmful according to recent data.

2. Type 2 diabetes

Coffee may enhance the body’s ability to process glucose, reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Research has shown that people who consume more coffee have a lower likelihood of developing this condition.

3. Liver diseases

Coffee seems to help protect the liver appears to have protective. Both regular and decaffeinated coffee have been associated with healthier liver enzyme levels, and coffee drinkers have a significantly lower risk of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.

4. Cancer

Coffee consumption has been linked to a reduced risk of several other types of cancer, including colorectal and womb cancers. A systematic review found that high coffee consumption is associated with an 18% lower risk of cancer.

5. Neurodegenerative diseases

Caffeine is associated with a lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease and may help those with the condition manage their movements better. Additionally, coffee consumption may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

Mental health

As if the physical benefits aren’t enough, coffee has also been shown to have positive effects on mental health. Studies suggest that coffee drinkers have a lower risk of depression, with some findings indicating a 20% reduced risk of becoming depressed.

What’s more, coffee consumption has been associated with a decreased risk of suicide. Research has found that people who drink four or more cups a day are 53% less likely to commit suicide.

Lifespan

With all these benefits, it’s not surprising that research suggests that coffee drinkers tend to live longer than non-drinkers. A large study involving over 400,000 people found that coffee consumption over a period of 12 to 13 years was linked to a lower risk of death – with the strongest effect observed at four to five cups per day.

This longevity benefit could be due to the cumulative effects of coffee’s protective properties against various diseases.

Moderation required

While coffee offers numerous health benefits, it is essential to consume it in moderation. It’s also advisable to limit added sugars and creams to avoid unnecessary calorie intake.

Excessive caffeine intake can lead to negative side effects such as jitteriness, anxiety and sleep disturbances. Some people who are especially sensitive to caffeine may need to limit their coffee intake or avoid it altogether, as even decaffeinated coffee contains caffeine.

As with any dietary component, balance is key. By understanding the potential benefits and limitations of coffee, people can make informed decisions about incorporating it into their daily routine.

I, for one, will be sticking to my morning cup.The Conversation

Justin Stebbing, Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.



Star Wars Outlaws: The Galaxy’s New Ultimate Open-World Adventure

Star Wars Outlaw

The countdown has begun! Star Wars Outlaws is set to launch on August 30th, 2024 (Pre-Order), and it’s not just another game—It’s the first-ever open-world Star Wars game!

Join Kay Vess and her companion Nix as they risk it all to escape the clutches of crime syndicates and forge a new path. Fight, steal, and outwit your way through a galaxy teeming with danger and opportunity.

Star Wars Outlaws: Coming August 30th, 2024 – don’t miss one of the most anticipated games of the year!

Star Wars Outlaws – Limited Edition – $69.99
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Ryan Reynolds Rallies for Wesley Snipes in Blade 4: “Logan-Style Send-Off!”

Wesley Snipes dressed as Blade, wearing his iconic black leather outfit and sunglasses

Photo Credit: Marvel Entertainment/Ryan Reynolds

Ryan Reynolds is on a mission, and this time it’s all about bringing Wesley Snipes back to the big screen as Blade! The Deadpool & Wolverine star has made it his personal crusade to get Marvel Studios to greenlight a Blade 4, and he’s not holding back. For the second time in just a few weeks, Reynolds took to social media, passionately pleading with Marvel to give Snipes’ iconic character the epic send-off he deserves.

In his post, Reynolds shared, “The reaction when @realwesleysnipes enters the movie is the most intense thing I’ve heard in a theater. People screaming with uninhibited joy and love is also the sound of a legacy. More Blade please. #DayWalker. A Logan-style send off, specifically.” His words, paired with behind-the-scenes photos of him and Snipes, show just how much this means to him.

Reynolds envisions a “Logan-style send-off” for Snipes—a nod to the powerful farewell Hugh Jackman received in Logan. Could this be the spark that brings Snipes back as the Daywalker? Should Marvel make Blade 4 happen? Let the debates begin!

Fans Launch “Save The Acolyte” Campaign After Lucasfilm Cancels Star Wars Series

Save the Acolyte

The cancellation of The Acolyte by Lucasfilm has sparked a galactic-sized response from fans. Some are treating it like the Death Star just took out their favorite planet, while others are calmly sipping blue milk, indifferent to the news. In true Star Wars fashion, a “Save The Acolyte” (#SaveTheAcolyte) campaign has emerged, with fans wielding their keyboards like lightsabers, hoping to bring the show back from cancellation.

The Mixed Reception to the Cancellation

The decision to cancel The Acolyte has received a mixed reception. While some viewers who were less invested in the show are indifferent—or even pleased—about its end, a portion of the fandom is upset that the teased storylines, including those involving Darth Plagueis, Yoda, and the relationship between Osha and Qimir, will not be explored further. These fans believe that The Acolyte had the potential to delve deeper into the Star Wars lore, and they are disappointed that these intriguing elements won’t see the light of day.

The Power of Fan Support

As the “Save The Acolyte” campaign picks up steam, one thing is clear: fans of the show are not going down without a fight. They’re praising the show’s lightsaber battles, especially the epic duels in episode 5, which they claim are the best action sequences since the prequels. Whether these efforts will be enough to revive the series remains to be seen. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned from Star Wars, it’s that rebellions are built on hope—and a whole lot of fan passion.

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GIGABYTE 34" Ultra-Wide Curved Gaming Monitor

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