Coffee is one of the world’s most popular drinks. Whether enjoyed black from a cafetiere, or in a latte from your favorite cafe, coffee is almost a universal human experience. But it is sometimes worried that coffee might not be particularly good for us. For example, many people worry that drinking too much caffeine makes it more difficult to sleep.
However, it is actually the case that drinking coffee has a very large variety of health benefits. Here we take a look at some of those benefits.
Improve energy levels
If there is one thing that everyone knows anecdotally about coffee, it is that it can improve your energy levels. Coffee is high in caffeine which is a natural stimulant – that’s why it probably isn’t a great idea to drink coffee before bed. However, at other times of day, coffee can give you the boost that you need.
According to Hannah Nichols of Medical News Today: “a 75-mg serving of caffeine can increase attention and alertness, and a 160 to 600-mg dose may improve mental alertness, speed reasoning, and memory.” This can be a major benefit whether you are at work, or simply looking to get as much out of the day as possible.
A wide range of nutrients
Many of us drink coffee for the delicious flavor and energy boost – so you might be surprised to learn that it actually has a range of other benefits. One advantage of drinking coffee that is often overlooked is the fact that it actually contains a number of important nutrients.
Coffee is particularly rich in B vitamins. A single cup can provide 11% of your daily intake of vitamin B2 (riboflavin), 6% of your vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), and 2% vitamin B3 (magnesium and niacin). Additionally, it will give you 3% of your daily intake of manganese and potassium.
These are the vitamins in black coffee, and it is worth also noting that many people drink coffee with either plant milk or dairy milk, which additionally offers nutritional benefits.
Lower risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes is well known as a huge problem across the world. The disease is characterized by high blood sugar levels, which is caused either by difficulty producing insulin, or insulin resistance.
Interestingly, it has been shown in studies that coffee drinkers have a slightly reduced risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes – although more research is required to understand exactly why this is the case. Some studies have indicated that the reduction in risk could be as much as 67% – while a larger review of 18 studies, revealed a more modest 7% reduction.
Quality of life and mental health
One health aspect of drinking coffee that might not be immediately obvious can be the mental health benefit of simply doing something that you enjoy. Good quality coffee is delicious and it can be a huge boost to your quality of life simply to drink something that you enjoy. Ultimately, this can be a big benefit for your mental health.
That’s why it is so important to make the right choice when you buy your coffee. Packaging specialists The Bag Broker recommend coffees stored in flexible packaging: “Flexible packaging that is lightweight and easy to transport. Compared to rigid options, it delivers greater protection against moisture which keeps the product fresher for longer. Resealable packs make it easier to keep the product fresh after they’ve opened the packet”.
A boost to your metabolism
Another surprising benefit of drinking coffee is that it could provide a boost to your metabolism. A number of studies have shown that drinking coffee can increase your metabolic rate – with some suggesting an increase of 11%. As a stimulant, coffee can increase performance in sport too.
It has been suggested that this could mean that coffee could be used as a part of a treatment for obesity – however, more research is needed on this.
Final thoughts
Yes, it turns out that drinking coffee can actually be a hugely beneficial activity for your health. Of course, it is always best to enjoy anything in moderation – but drinking good quality coffee can impact many areas of your life, from energy levels and metabolism to reducing the risk of diseases.
