Coffee is always competing for the world’s most popular beverage, but what many don’t know that it’s actually doing a lot more than helping you be a functional member of society. Several scientific studies have accredited coffee as the number one source of antioxidants in America’s diet, providing numerous cognitive benefits, keeping the liver healthy, and reducing stress.
Free radicals, (which sound like rebellious teenagers running amok) are atoms, molecules, or ions damaging cells within the human body and can potentially contribute to cancer. A recent study has discovered that roasted coffee stabilizes and combats these harmful radicals, thus making that next cup of morning joe something to never feel guilty about.
For those female drinkers out there, a study has also found that drinking up to four cups of coffee a day can reduce the risk of endometrial cancer by one fifth.
Many people believe that hot tea or vegetables are superior in antioxidants than coffee. Wrong! According to a study back in 2005, scientists discovered for the first time, decaf and caffeinated coffee were equally shown to be the primary source of antioxidants in consumers. Joe Vinson, Ph.D., study leader and chemistry professor at Scranton University said, “Americans get more of their antioxidants from coffee than any other dietary source. Nothing else comes close.”
It’s no secret that coffee lovers jump-start their morning for caffeine buzz, but it has also been proven to be great for short-term memory retention. Don’t take this as an excuse to drink 12 cups a day, but in moderation, your brain will be in tip-top shape after a few cups.
The benefits of being a coffee consumer don’t stop there; moderate consumption is also believed to be associated with reducing the risk of developing the liver disease alcoholic cirrhosis. This disease can destroy healthy tissue within the liver replacing it with scar tissue, and is most commonly found in heavy alcohol users and smokers. A study discovered coffee drinkers were 22 percent less likely to develop the disease.
For those who want all of these benefits yet despise the taste of coffee, simply walk into a coffee shop and take a whiff.
The magical power of coffee can even be found in the scent. The aroma of coffee has been attributed to reducing stress. Granted, scientists here studied the brains of lab rats when exposed to the smell of coffee, making it ethically and scientifically questionable, but the smell of coffee is rather fantastic, so we’ll let this one slide.
Obviously, the more coffee one drinks the less beneficial it will be, but science has given the world a green light on the daily java brew. It’s pretty remarkable how coffee has built up a bad reputation over recent years as being addictive and harmful, but in reality can actually help us all live healthier lives. With that being said, go support local coffee shops, get creative with brew methods, and hang out with friends and family over one of the most delicious and healthiest beverages in the world.