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Coffee Health Benefits

By Diane Hanson

I’m sure many of you who start the day clutching a cup of coffee can relate to this – if it wasn’t for the coffee, you’d have problems staying awake at your desk every day. But are you worried that drinking too much coffee might affect your health? Is coffee bad for you in any way?

Believe it or not, this undeniably popular brewed beverage actually offers more than giving you a boost in the morning. Recent studies show that there are more health benefits that coffee brings than the risks. Read on to learn more about what coffee can do for your body in both mental and physical aspects.

What Are the Benefits of Drinking Coffee?

1. Reduced Gall Stones.

In a recent study published by The Harvard School of Public Health, drinking coffee regularly can significantly reduce the incidence of gall bladder disease and gall stones in both women and men.

2. Reduced Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease.

Two studies, one published in the European Journal of Neurology, have shown that people who drank about 2 cups of coffee a day were less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than those who drank no coffee or a small to moderate amount of coffee.

3. Reduced Risk for Parkinson’s Disease.

Research has also noted that drinking coffee reduces the risk for Parkinson's as much as 60 to 80 percent. So, the more coffee you drink, the lower your risk.

4. Antioxidants and Cancer-Fighting Properties.

The antioxidants in coffee fight cancer-causing free radicals. Interestingly, coffee has 4 times the antioxidant content of green tea, according to a study conducted in Switzerland by the Nestle Research Center and recently published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Coffee also contains methylpyridinium, a compound which can’t be found in many other foods. This compound boosts blood enzymes which is believed to protect against colon cancer. Methylpyridinium is formed in the roasting process from a chemical found naturally in coffee beans. Keep in mind that the stronger the coffee, the higher the level of Methylpyridinium, with darker roasts containing two to three times more than medium roasts.

5. Boosts Memory.

Caffeine in a cup of coffee can increase alertness and improve mental function. Regular coffee drinkers frequently score significantly higher on cognitive ability tests, spatial awareness exams, IQ tests, and short term memory studies. The effects of coffee appeared to be more pronounced in elderly study participants and women.

6. Bowel Stimulation.

Coffee also works wonders as a natural laxative. It’s a powerful stimulant that encourages muscle contractions in the digestive tract to help waste matter move more quickly through your system. Some alternative practitioners even prescribe coffee enemas to stimulate the lower colon and relieve chronic constipation.

7. Reduced Risk for Gout.

A large study of over 45,000 men that was conducted over a 12-year period reported the amount of coffee consumed was inversely related to their risk or likelihood of developing gout.

Even though the health benefits of coffee are many, you shouldn’t get too excited about it and overdo your coffee consumption. Drinking up to 3 cups of coffee daily is generally considered safe. However, any more than that amount may increase blood pressure, especially for people with borderline or high blood pressure.

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