Coffee: our savior when we’re perpetually exhausted, and our lifelong partner through thick and thin. The wonderful drink that has received its share of criticism over the years, but never fails to disappoint.
Avid coffee drinkers feel guilty when they’re already onto their second cup at 10 AM to jumpstart their day, wishing it was possible to survive without it. We, as college students, rely on it to get us through any study session, class, meeting, etc. It’s come to the point where the Starbucks workers know both your name and drink by heart, and you’re completely okay with that. In fact, it secretly excites you that you don’t even have to repeat your order every time you walk through the door. You’re just that famous.
Does this addiction mean we’re harming our bodies? What many people do not realize is that there are actually a number of health benefits that come with the cup of coffee we so often crave – despite the countless times we’ve been told to break the habit. “Coffee is so bad for you” is a phrase we’re all too familiar with, and quite tired of hearing. Here’s some info on the benefits of coffee that will make addicts feel just a little bit better about their guilty pleasure.
1. It provides the highest source of antioxidants. Coffee contains several important antioxidants that contribute to a healthier immune system. People generally think of fruits and vegetables as the foods with the highest sources of antioxidants, but studies show that coffee is actually responsible for the highest amount in the modern diet. The main antioxidants in coffee, flavonoids, possess anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic properties, which all assist in protecting the body.
2. It enhances mood. Since coffee increases blood flow to the brain, it stimulates the central nervous system, resulting in an instant boost of your mood and motivation for the day. Harvard research studies have confirmed that female coffee drinkers have a lower rate of developing depression, as opposed to those who do not consume coffee regularly. So all those times you thought coffee magically transformed your mood, you weren’t imagining it!
3. It can increase memory. According to a John Hopkins study, 200 milligrams of caffeine (which is what’s found in a strong cup of coffee) can boost memory for up to 24 hours. Multiple studies have acknowledged that coffee may even be linked to preventing the development of Alzheimer’s Disease. So the next time you’re struggling to memorize information for your upcoming test, a coffee break may be just what you need to help you retain the material.
4. It’s good for your liver. For college students who live at the bar on weekends, this may be the greatest news ever. Coffee has actually been proven to protect against certain liver diseases, such as cirrhosis, which is generally caused by the excessive consumption of alcohol. Now, this doesn’t mean you should consume 8 cranberry vodkas a night and then rely on 10 cups of coffee to cancel it out. But it does mean that drinking coffee can be beneficial to your liver, which is certainly nothing to complain about!
5. It’s low in calories. A regular cup of black coffee contains zero calories. Of course, purchasing a Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino with extra whipped cream at Starbucks will easily rack up calories, but it’s called a specialty drink for a reason. If you just add skim milk and a little bit of sugar to a simple cup of black coffee, you have yourself a treat that’s low in calories but extremely satisfying in so many ways.
6. It can increase physical performance and endurance. We all know coffee helps us get through our morning without feeling like retreating back to bed within minutes of leaving the house. But did you know that it also can help you power through your workout more efficiently and for a longer period of time? The caffeine assists in temporarily raising metabolism, as well as increasing the oxidation of fatty acids. I know, it sounds too good to be true. But the next time you need motivation for that run, drink up!
While this is all very exciting news for coffee addicts, moderation is always key, as with everything. But when you’re feeling guilty about purchasing that second cup of coffee, hesitate no further! Just remember that coffee is actually good for you in a number of ways, so embrace this wonderful news as you head out to the Dunkin drive-thru to make it through your study sesh tonight. You know you were planning on it anyway.