HEALTH BENEFITS OF COFEE
Cut the Pain
Two cups of coffee can cut
post-workout muscle pain by up to 48%. From the Journal of Pain, March 2007
(link)
Increase your fiber intake
A cup of brewed coffee represents a
contribution of up to 1.8 grams of fiber of the recommended intake of 20-38
grams. From the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (link).
Protection against
cirrhosis of the liver
Of course, you could just cut down on
the alcohol intake. From the Archives of Internal Medicine (link). Another more
recent study also showed coffee’s liver protecting benefits. link. Yet another
study showed that both coffee and decaffeinated coffee lowered the liver enzyme
levels of coffee drinkers. This study was published in the Hepatology Journal.
Lowered risk of Type 2
Diabetes
Those who consumed 6 or more cups per
day had a 22% lower risk of diabetes. From the Archives of Internal Medicine
(link). A recent review of research conducted by Harvard’s Dr. Frank Hu showed
that the risk of type II diabetes decreases by 9% for each daily cup of coffee
consumed. Decaf coffee decreased risk by 6% per cup.
Lowered risk of Alzheimer’s
disease
There is considerable evidence that
caffeine may protect against Alzheimer’s disease. From the European Journal of
Neurology (link).
Reduces suicide risk and
Depression
A 10-year study of 86,000 female
nurses shows a reduced risk of suicide in the coffee drinkers. From the
Archives of Internal Medicine (link). Another study conducted by the Harvard
School of Public Health found that women who drink 4 or more cups of coffee
were 20% less likely to suffer from depression. Study link.
Protection against Parkinson’s
People with Parkinson’s disease are
less likely to be smokers and coffee drinkers than their healthy siblings. Just
make sure you don’t get lung cancer on the way. From the Archives of Neurology
(link).Even newer research out of Sweden revealed that drinking coffee reduces
the risk of Parkinson’s even when genetic factors come into play. link.
Coffee drinkers have less risk of
heart disease. Korean researchers found that study participants who consumed 3
to 5 cups of coffee a day were less likely to show the beginning signs of heart
disease. The study. Other dietary factors should also be noted as Koreans
typically have a different diet than do Westerners.
Coffee drinkers have stronger DNA. A
study published in the European Journal of Nutrition showed that coffee
drinkers have DNA with stronger integrity since the white blood cells of coffee
drinkers had far less instance of spontaneous DNA strand breakage. Study
abstract.
Lower Risk of Multiple Sclerosis.
Recent research showed that at least 4 cups of coffee a day may help protect
against the development and reoccurrence of MS. It is believed that the coffee
prevents the neural inflammation that possibly leads to the disease developing.
The study was published in the Journal of Neurology,
Neurosurgery
& Psychiatry.
Coffee reduces colorectal cancer
risk. Even moderate consumption of coffee can reduce the odds of developing
colorectal cancer by 26%. This protective benefit increases with more
consumption. .
Prof. John Kurakar
