Is coffee really that bad for you? It’s gotten a bad wrap but, like many things, it’s really not terrible. In moderation, coffee even has several health benefits!
Over the years drinking coffee has gotten a bad rap. Until recently that is. Now it’s thought that at least moderate drinking of coffee actually has a few health benefits attached to it. This isn’t saying that you should drink coffee from the time you wake up in the morning until you fall into bed at night, and it’s advised to avoid too much sugar and cream, but coffee might not be as bad for you as it was once thought. I’ve gathered a few of the potential health benefits of drinking coffee for you today.
Reduces Inflammation that Causes Diseases
Studies have shown recently that drinking coffee can actually strengthen your immune system. It is said that the antioxidants and caffeine in coffee actually work to strengthen the immune system so that you can fight off the inflammation that causes certain diseases.
Of course, you are thinking, well the sugar and cream I put in my coffee certainly takes away any benefits of drinking it right? Maybe not, as there are ways that you can drink coffee without all of that cream and sugar. For example, home commercial espresso machines aren’t designed for the customer to put cream and sugar in the espresso. You buy a home machine and avoid the sugar and cream and then you have the perfect jolt of caffeine without the sweetness that is so bad for you.
You all have probably heard me say I don’t even really like coffee. I drink maybe half a cup a day. However, when I can get a truly GOOD espresso, I’m all about it. I just need my own espresso maker. For now, I’m making my own protein Pumpkin Frappuccinos (that’s right… we’re only like a month out from the onset of pumpkin obsession season).
Helps with Weight Loss
Believe it or not, coffee is said to help with weight loss as well, especially when it’s combined with foods and treats that are actually good for you. I use it as an ingredient in my lightened up Coffee Pancakes. It’s especially beneficial if the coffee you drink is from the green coffee bean that’s been lauded for the last few years. If you are looking to trim down, drinking coffee might be a good way to help you on the journey.
Improves Memory
Have you ever noticed that you can’t remember a thing before you have your coffee in the mornings? That could be because it improves your memory a little after that first cup. Studies on mice who were given caffeine-laced water have actually shown a decrease in the levels of protein that cause Alzheimer’s Disease.
This mouse needs extra. The other day I spend a solid half hour looking for my glasses. They were on my head.
Helps Fight Depression
Another study has shown that people who drink at least four cups of coffee a day or less likely to become depressed. That is a reason to drink it right there, since depression is rampant in America at the moment. I mean… in this political climate we could all use a little relief. *insert eye roll*
While drinking a ton of sugar and cream in your coffee or picking up those caffeinated energy drinks isn’t the best way to start off your day, there are other choices out there. You can drink coffee and espresso straight and black and get all the health benefits you need without the risks. I like adding some vanilla almond milk in mine… or just adding it to a post-workout smoothie to revive me.
It is still recommended that you drink coffee in moderation, not all-day long. I know a ton of you are super happy that you don’t have to give up that jolt in the mornings that jumpstarts your day!
[Tweet “Check out these 4 potential health benefits of drinking coffee… while you’re drinking #coffee.”]
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Not related to health, but I love adding a bit of espresso powder to chocolate desserts to amplify the flavor.
Are you a coffee junkie?
What the last things you forgot?
Great post! You know I’ve given up coffee several times in my life, and I’m always fine without it, however, I find I simply operate better with a cup a day, sometimes two. I come from a family who has consumed coffee for nearly their entire lives, and they’re some of the longest living family members I have. I also believe in the benefits of coffee because of its antioxidant content (it has more than any food on the planet!) and have to say my blood sugar levels and insulin do much better with a cup in my system than without it even though I eat a very healthy diet. I love my matcha and green tea each day, too, but a cup of Joe a day is simply a must for me!
PS: Have you tried doctoring up your coffee to make it taste better? I love mine with cacao powder and stevia blended in. Sometimes I add a little non-dairy milk too.
Thanks! I’ve read both sides, but I don’t see anything wrong with a little coffee in moderation. The antioxidant count is crazy!
I have tried doctoring it, but I have a weird thing with drinks. I can’t stand drinking anything sweet… the weird part is that I have a giant sweet tooth!
I am currently drinking coffee and it’s nice to know all these benefits but, unless it would give me cancer, I’m pretty sure I would drink it anyway!! LOL 🙂
LOL! That’s my relationship with wine.
I think people need to remember that a mixture of regular and decaf is the way to go. Alex has seen people nearly having heart attacks because of too much caffeine!
Good lord. I’m talking one cup, not 20! I’d probably have heart burn before I could get down enough to have a heart attack. People are so dumb.
I freakin’ love me some coffee and DUNKIN DONUTS coffee to be exact. Dont care if it hurts me or helps me– it tastes so darn good in the morning and makes me happy 😉
HA! I used to stop on my way to high school EVERY day for a Dunkin’!
coffee is the way of life! Just like wine. a cup of day makes the doctor (and life issues) go away. LOL!
HAHAHA! Just one cup of wine though?! 😉
Well count me in! I knew it was good for me 🙂
I love coffee! I started switching to decaf after 2pm because I’m not ready to give up my afternoon coffee completely!
Good call on switching to decaf – I learned that lesson the hard way!
Such an interesting post – thanks! I usually drink one cup of coffee a day with a little almond milk. I love the taste and I feel like I need it to function a little bit in the morning 🙂
Hope you have a great weekend!!
Thanks! Maybe I need to start adding a little almond milk again.
Soooooo I wanted to do a challenge Monday post a few months ago, to skip coffee for a week, but when I did my research I learned how good coffee was for you and I even started drinking a cup every now and again. The health benefits are impressive and surprising.
The funny thing is that I can do that challenge, no problem! BUT, it does have it’s benefits so I get down a cup each day. People are too quick to ban stuff… moderation, people! 😉
Coffee is actually INSANELY HEALTHY (as you mentioned)… But people don’t realize this because it gets associated with being unhealthy THANKS TO STARBUCKS and stupid dumps like those places that make all the mixed drinks that turn into calorie and sugar bombs! Black coffee is actually the # 1 source of antioxidants in drink form – SUCK IT TEA!
LOL! I wonder if you hurt tea’s feelings with your harsh words? Poor tea.
P.S. I HATE Starbucks!!!
OK, If i still owned my coffee shop I would have printed this out and put it on the counter! I could not live without my coffee
LOL! I would have LOVED that!
Coffee junkie deluxe here, but I only recently came to the table. I didn’t drink coffee at all in college and only really started about 7 years ago. Now I have to have it! But, at least I have gotten beyond the frou-frou drinks and will drink it straight up now! Healthier, right?
Coffee junkie deluxe may be my new favorite phrase. Can I be the wine junkie deluxe?
I’m that, too.
Ahhh coffee, my lifeblood, even before wine. I love this post and you and coffee.
I love you and your offspring.
I’m not a coffee junkie, I would never drink it for the sake of it. Instead I adore coffee, the flavours, depths and combinations. Australia is the best place for me to be as they are real connoisseurs, sourcing and roasting amazing beans and not fussing with the flavours. There are like only four or five ways to have a coffee here!
So for me, the benefits are just an added bonus of something I already enjoy. And I’m with you, nothing like a good espresso!
I’m really glad America has gotten a little better about that. We still have Starbucks crap, but there are a ton of local shops here than can make a truly delicious cup. It makes such a big difference!
It’s funny I know I am renown for my love of coffee but I really do quit after the morning. Not because I have willpower 🙂 i’m just not tempted after about 8 o’clock
That said my consumption before 8 AM would probably horrify you 🙂
HAHA! Now I want to know!
This makes me laugh because we watched “Kicking and Screaming” with the kids last night where coffee is described as “the lifeblood that fuels the dreams of champions.”
HAHAHA! If I had kids, I’m sure I’d have a whole pot of coffee a day.
As if I needed more reasons to adore this beverage of the gods. 3 cups a week, 3 cups a week, I chant to myself as little coffee cups dance in front of my eyes calling my name.