Coffee: it’s more than just a cup of energy-boosting libation

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world. With over 400 billion cups consumed every year, coffee has entrenched itself in the system of millions of people around the globe. Because of its popularity coffee is probably the biggest source of antioxidants in the global diet. Substantial amounts of evidence collected from patients in the last decade suggest that coffee has the power to lower the risk of cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, liver disease and Parkinson’s disease. 

Nutritional value of coffee

Black coffee has a very low calorie count with about 2 calories per cup. However, the calorie count shoots up when milk and sugar are added. [Read more Regular coffee drinking may cut your liver cancer risk by half]

Coffee beans contain antioxidants, called quinines, which become more powerful after roasting. A news release published in the American Chemical Society says that coffee is the leading source of antioxidants in the diet of Americans.

Quinines, along with the magnesium found in coffee, affect blood sugar levels and are thought to be responsible for lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes. 

Trigonelline, an antibacterial compound found in coffee gives it a wonderful aroma and it may also be a factor in preventing dental caries. [Read more প্রতিদিন কফি পান আপনাকে দীর্ঘদিন বেঁচে থাকতে সাহায্য করবে]

Caffeine also has many health benefits. Researchers who studied Parkinson’s disease found out that caffeine is a factor at work in delaying the disease. Caffeine also alleviate headache and that’s why it is widely used in headache medicines. Caffeine help fight fatigue by stimulating the brain and nervous system. Besides all these, a single cup of coffee also contains:

• Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): 11% of the RDA
• Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5): 6% of the RDA
• Manganese and Potassium: 3% of the RDA
• Magnesium and Niacin (B3): 2% of the RDA

Type 2 diabetes

UCLA researchers discovered that coffee consumption increases plasma levels of Sex Hormone-binding Globulin (SHBG) which regulates the biological activity of the body’s sex hormones, testosterone and estrogen. Testosterone and Estrogen have long been thought to play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes.

Read more Top 10 natural foods to boost your energy

Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) gathered data from three studies where the diets of the participants were evaluated with questions every four years. The research showed that participants who increased their coffee intake by one cup a day over a four-year period had a 11% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than people who did not change their intake.

 Stroke

11 studies conducted on nearly 480,00 people showed that people who drank 2 to 6 cups of coffee a day had a lower risk of strokes than people who drank none.

Heart disease

A new research by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and Harvard School of Public Health suggested that drinking coffee in moderation (4 European cups or 2 8-ounce American cups) per day may protect slightly against heart failure.

Liver disease

An American research by Mayo Clinic showed that regular consumption of coffee may reduce the risk of primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), a rare autoimmune liver disease. 

Parkinson’s disease

Studies have shown that people who use caffeine are less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease. The research also suggested that caffeine may produce slight but noticeable improvements in movement symptoms for people who already had the disease.

Verdict

Coffee isn’t just warm and flavorful, it may also be immensely good for health. We should listen to when someone says, “Wake up and smell the coffee,” but we need also beware that moderate consumption means we need 3 to 5 cups of black or almost black coffee in 8-ounce cups every day to get the results. Drinking less than 1 or 2 cups a day or drinking in excess of 6 cups will produce weaker results.