From Reducing Cancer Risk to Stopping the Silent Killer in Its Tracks: 7 Ways Coffee Can Help Save Your Life

There’s a worse way to start the day than sipping a steaming cup of coffee.

Many of us need a caffeine-based energy boost to get us going in the morning or to energize us during the inevitable afternoon slump.

1

You may be despairing of ever getting rid of your daily coffee craving.

But as long as you don’t drink too much of it and keep the amount of added sugar to a minimum, your daily cup of coffee can actually improve your health.

Justin Stebbing, professor of biomedical sciences at Anglia Ruskin University, said moderate coffee consumption could improve the health of your heart and brain while reducing your risk of diseases such as cancer.

In an article in The Conversation, he explains: “Coffee contains several essential nutrients that are beneficial for overall health.

“A typical 230ml cup of coffee provides small amounts of B vitamins – riboflavin, pantothenic acid, thiamine and niacin – as well as minerals such as potassium, manganese and magnesium.”

Coffee can also be a rich source of antioxidants, compounds found in foods like fruits and vegetables that can help protect cells from daily damage.

Professor Stebbing said many people get more antioxidants from drinking coffee than from eating fruit and vegetables.

From reducing your risk of chronic disease to stopping silent killers and extending your life, here are all the ways your coffee habit could be benefiting your health.

1. It could reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke

Moderate coffee consumption has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke, Professor Stebbing said.

“Studies indicate that drinking one to two cups of coffee a day can reduce the risk of heart failure,” he said.

“In addition, coffee consumption has been associated with a lower risk of mortality and cardiovascular disease.

“Interestingly, even if a person has an abnormal heart rhythm, coffee is not harmful, according to recent data.”

Recent research has indicated a “safe limit” for coffee consumption as it relates to heart health.

Experts from Zydus Medical College in India have said that more than four cups of coffee a day can put a strain on your heart by increasing your blood pressure and heart rate.

2. It could reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes

Your daily caffeine intake may also reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, Professor Stebbing continued.

“Coffee can improve the body’s ability to process glucose,” he explained, improving your chances of avoiding disease.

The professor pointed out that research shows that people who consume more coffee have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

American researchers have found that people with diabetes can live longer by replacing sugary drinks with tea and coffee.

An estimated 3.9 million Britons have type 2 diabetes, which raises blood sugar levels and can eventually lead to heart disease and stroke.

3. It may help protect the liver

THE benefits The effects of coffee appear to extend throughout the body, as it may also help keep your liver healthy.

Coffee, whether regular or caffeine-free, appears to have a protective effect on the liver, Professor Stebbing said.

These drinks have been linked to healthier liver enzyme levels, he explained, with coffee drinkers having “a significantly lower risk of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.”

But researchers at the University of South Carolina also warned that adding sugar to your coffee could have the opposite effect.

4. It could reduce your risk of several cancers

Liver cancer isn’t the only disease coffee might protect you from.

This staple drink has been linked to a reduced risk of several other types of cancer, including colorectal and uterine cancers, Professor Stebbing noted.

“A systematic approach goodbye “Researchers found that high coffee consumption is associated with an 18% lower risk of cancer,” he explained.

Italian researchers estimated last year that drinking up to five cups of coffee a day could reduce the risk of developing and dying from bowel cancer.

5. It could reduce your risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease

Coffee consumption could also reduce your risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases, Professor Stebbing continued.

This includes diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged, causing tremors and stiffness) and dementia, which causes loss of memory and brain function.

“Caffeine is associated with a lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease and may help people with the condition to better manage their movements,” Professor Stebbing said.

“Additionally, coffee consumption may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.”

6. It could improve mental health

Does your morning cup of coffee fill you with joy?

It turns out that coffee’s positive effects on your mental health may be broader.

Professor Stedding said: “Studies suggest that coffee drinkers have a lower risk of depression, with some findings indicating a 20% reduction in the risk of becoming depressed.

“Additionally, coffee consumption has been associated with a decreased risk of suicide,” he added.

“Research has shown that people who drink four or more cups a day are 53% less likely to commit suicide.”

7. It could help extend your life expectancy

“With all these benefits, it’s no surprise that research suggests that coffee drinkers tend to live longer than non-drinkers,” concludes Professor Stebbing.

He pointed to a study of more than 400,000 people that found that drinking coffee for 12 to 13 years was linked to a lower risk of death.

This effect was stronger in people who drank four to five cups a day.

“This longevity advantage could be due to the cumulative effects of coffee’s protective properties against various diseases,” Professor Stebbing said.